What’s the Best Way to Remove Wrinkles from a Suit without Dry Cleaning?

Your suit should look as sharp at day’s end as when you first pulled it on. Wrinkles do tend to appear, especially if you've worn or stored a suit incorrectly. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to rush to the dry cleaner.

There are ways to effectively remove wrinkles at home without presses, chemicals, or damaging heat. This guide will show you how to de-wrinkle your suit without causing damage, when dry cleaning is not appropriate, and how fabric affects your suit's maintenance.

Why You Shouldn’t Always Use Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning can seem like the MVP of remedies when your suit needs a pick-me-up. But it could be harmful if overused.

Here’s why:

• Dry cleaners commonly mismanage suits. Pressing can create unwanted wrinkles in the cloth, particularly if the lapel is not positioned correctly.

• Fabric can be impaired by hot drying. Over time, this can result in a shine, puckered, or bubbled fabric — especially with solid fabrics.

• It ruins the suit’s natural shape. The drier a suit becomes, the more you break down its form.

• Professional dry cleaning a suit only when it's dirty or smelly. Otherwise, "You are better off maintaining the quality of the fabric by taking proper care."

How to Steam a Suit at Home

Here's how to safely and efficiently get wrinkles out of better suits:

• Take a Hot Shower: Fill your bathroom with steam by running hot water in the shower and closing the door.

• Hang Your Suit Properly: Use a properly fitting hanger - not too wide, not too narrow. For the trousers, fold over a clip hanger and hang them by the cuffs so that gravity will pull the waistband flatter.

• Let Steam Work: Let the steam saturate your suit for 15 to 20 minutes. This will relax the fibers and minimize wrinkles on the sleeves or near the groin.

This approach is most effective with delicate fabrics such as wool or worsted wool. Be careful with the clothes, as they can get a little wet.

Could You Iron a Suit to Get Rid of Wrinkles?

No, most suits can't be ironed. It could press the fabric, ruin the texture of textured fabric weaves, or give a shiny appearance to the material.

When (and only when!) you must iron your suit:

• Turn the heat all the way down to the lowest setting

• Insert a cotton pressing cloth between the iron and the suit

• Use only light pressure on them.

Any time you can steam, it’s almost certainly safer and better.

When to Dry-Clean a Suit

Some wrinkles are too deep or stubborn to address with steam alone, especially if your suit has been rained on or pressed into a suitcase for days.

Take your suit to a dry cleaner you trust (and be clear about it, always). Ask them to press the suit, not clean it. Pressing employs heat and steam only, without the addition of any solvents or chemicals.

Keep in mind:

• Even luxe dry cleaners make mistakes

• There is an enormous markup for hand-finished services

• Over time, any dry cleaner can lose the shape of the suit

• Use dry cleaning only when necessary.

Fabric Matters - Choosing Wrinkle-Resistant Suits

More effective still, choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle in the first place.

Here’s what to look for:

• British wool fabrics are a bit heavier, but they wrinkle less than their Italian or domestic counterparts

• 9 – 11 oz is perfect for year-round wear and is hard to wrinkle

• Steering clear of synthetic blends such as polyester, which are not breathable and can be stiff.

• A small amount of mohair (less than 15%) can help add structure without compromising softness.

"Tell your tailor or suit store (Think Suits Unlimited) you want low-wrinkle fabrics. Something nice will make maintaining your suit a lot easier in the long run.

When you tailor your clothes, you choose from fabrics created to wrinkle less and last longer. Discover more about our made-to-order process.

The Right Suit Requires Proper Care

A good suit doesn't require constant dry cleaning and pressing. With the right hanger, steaming every so often, and smarter fabric choices for those who sweat more than others, it can look as fresh and new every time you wear it.

Everything is about prevention as well as treatment for the care of your suit.

Looking for a Suit That Holds Its Shape All Day?

At Suits Unlimited, you can choose from suits made in hardy fabrics designed for frequent wear.