Wrinkles on the road.

[AntiGroundhogDay]

yeah I know, having wrinkle free clothes on the road is purely a first world problem.  But for my desired style of nomadic fulltiming, it's something that comes across my mind.  Let me explain...

I plan to spend my fair share of time on BLM land, get a little crunchy, do some hiking, soak in the good weather and chill out.  But I also have a strong desire to keep touch with "the real world" of big cities and visiting friends in their traditional sticks and bricks homes where (I hope) they will invite me in for dinner or to go out to eat at a decent restaurant.  I also envision myself stealthing in big cities (I'll be fulltiming in Toyota RAV4 Hybrid) where I may want to head to a nice bar from time to time.

Anyway, we're only talking about a button down long sleeve shirt and jeans here.  So the shirt is the only thing that could be wrinkled.  Even if I hang up the shirt(s) in my rig once washed, it won't be pressed.  I've never heard of folks rocking an iron in their rigs (let along an SUV), so are there truly wrinkle free shirts out there that are recommended?  Maybe just pay for dry cleaning once in awhile?  Yeah I know, 90% of folks on the forum are rolling their eyes, my apologies in advance. 

 

[Cammalu]

I think that's a great idea about paying for dry cleaning. Not like you are going to need it everyday. I know I need a few luxuries myself. I'm certainly not rolling my eyes [emoji849]


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[AbuelaLoca]

I think there's a spray you can use that will get rid of about 90% of wrinkles... I'll try to find a link.

http://www.target.com/p/downy-wrink...qH-wtWmT626-l9H13LyhIaAtfe8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[highdesertranger]

just my opinion but out in the boonies is the "real world" it's the cities that are artificial. highdesertranger

 

[Trebor English]

Fold the shirt and jeans very carefully and put them under your mattress. Literally, they will be pressed. There are cotton poly blend fabrics that look good with this treatment. If actual button down isn't necessary there are knit "golf" shirts with collars that look nice.

 

[TrainChaser]

Take a little travel iron with you and ask your friends if you could iron your shirt with their electricity.

 

[Wabbit]

I wonder if a portable steamer would suffice?

 

[mizjewels]

I think there's a spray you can use that will get rid of about 90% of wrinkles... I'll try to find a link.

http://www.target.com/p/downy-wrink...qH-wtWmT626-l9H13LyhIaAtfe8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

That is all I use now - never iron anymore. A friend who works in resale told me it's just the fabric softener mixed with water. They make it themselves to use on the store clothing. I'll be trying to make my own when my current bottle runs out.

If you will have a camp stove, just boil some water and hang the shirt above. The steam should release the wrinkles and then just hand pressing would do the trick.

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[AntiGroundhogDay]

I have some active polyester shirts I work out in that don't every wrinkle... they are a bit shiny and slick to the touch. I wonder if anyone has adapted them for a button down that still looks "normal" like the cotton ones?

 

[CityWoman]

They do make irons that heat up without electricity.  The old-fashioned cast iron ones heat up on a fire or heating element, another type takes butane, and another uses denatured alcohol.  Check out Lehmans.com and cottagecraftworks.com.

 

[Theadyn]

I've not touched an iron in years. Hang up or folded correctly will help get rid of mist. But fold wrinkles will happen. Spray bottle of water, spritz, press by hand or spread the cloth, let dry. Voila'.

 

[rvpopeye]

I just wear the wrinkles
RHIP
(Retirement has it's privileges!)

 

[gargoyle]

Hang 'em up. No folds = no wrinkles.

Some apparel is less prone to wrinkling. Pick and choose as to what you purchase.

 

[KathyC]

yeah I know, having wrinkle free clothes on the road is purely a first world problem...

Highly recommend Ex Officio travel shirts...they are spendy but last for years...I've traveled the world over and washed and dried in a hotel room -- they come out great.  Travelsmith has a good selection - also look at Eddie Bauer.  If this really matters to you, you need to invest in high quality...it's worth it.

 

[speedhighway46]

You Hey, at 71, I'm proud of my wrinkles; I earned 'em!

 

[rina]

Yep, I used Downey Wrinkle Release even though I'm IN a house. It's great stuff.

 

[CityWoman]

But fold wrinkles will happen.

Rolling clothes, instead of folding, eliminates most wrinkles. I picked that up from reading historical novels. You lay clothes flat, pile up a few at a time, and roll the stack on itself. Very few wrinkles that way. In the olden days, they rolled clothes layered with thick tissue paper in between. I just roll them so that the thicker items are on the inside with thinner, more delicate fabrics on the outside. You just unroll to take out whatever garment you want, then roll up again. It works!

 

[rvpopeye]

That's^ how I packed my suitcase in the years I spent out on the road............of course there weren't any suits in it !

 

[dr_nelson]

Whoever invented those shirts needs to be ....
It takes me 15 min. to iron one shirt, and before I turn the car key, it is already wrinkled.

What I do (the lazy way): After washing I put them in the dryer for only 10 - 15 mins. While they're still damp, hand press and hang 'em (like the inventer). It's not perfect, but it's good enough.

 

[deadwood]

I travel for work and have to wear a shirt and tie. What I do when I'm in the van and working is when I leave a hotel and come back to the van I iron a shirt and neatly fold it and put it in my suitcase. Then when I back to the van I can put it on a hangar to keep it fairly wrinkle free. When I go back to work I have one shirt ironed and ready to go and just repeat the process at another hotel. I'm not full timing in the van yet but plan to by the end of this year. If I wasn't staying in hotels where I can iron one of my shirts before I leave I would most likely be dropping them off at a dry cleaner which I still have to do for my dress pants. Either way I just find a way to make it work out. I envy the people that don't have to dress up for work and really envy the people that don't have to punch a clock anymore. Just because I plan to full time in the van doesn't mean I'm retired. It just means I get to move my house around and live the same life I had in a sticks and bricks.