How to Get Wrinkles and Creases Out of a Chiffon Wedding Dress

If you have your eye on one of our breezy and lightweight wedding dress á la Margery, Heather, or Bobbi, you might be wondering how to care, store, and de-wrinkle a luxurious fabric like chiffon. We’ve put together everything you need to know about this soft and elegant fabric—from how to get wrinkles out of chiffon wedding dress designs to detailed instructions for ironing and steaming. Be sure to bookmark this page for your big day!

First, What is Chiffon?

Chiffon is a fine, lightweight, and luxurious fabric used for breezy dresses, blouses, and negligees. It is typically paired with decorative embellishments and flowy, Grecian-inspired designs. Generally speaking, chiffon is shimmery, sheer, and easy to drape.

Types of Chiffon

Chiffon can be woven with a variety of natural and synthetic fibers. The most common types of chiffon are:

• Silk Chiffon: a delicate, expensive fabric used for bows and embellishments.
• Polyester Chiffon: a durable, affordable type of chiffon often used for dresses, blouses, and home fabrics.
• Pearl Chiffon: a glossy, coated chiffon with a high sheen.
• Jacquard Chiffon: an embellished chiffon featuring romantic motifs—typically woven with metallic thread or velvet.
• Pleated Chiffon: a decorative variation of any chiffon fabric but folded into a flowing accordion pattern.
• Organza and Georgette: similar to chiffon with a bit more stiffness and thickness.

Pros of Chiffon for Wedding Dresses

• Chiffon is delicate, beautiful, and timeless. Its ethereal texture makes it ideal for draping and layering.
• Chiffon is lightweight and breathable—perfect for outdoor weddings in warm weather.
• Chiffon is versatile. It comes in a variety of textures and fold styles to fit your vision and aesthetic.
• Chiffon is a gorgeous choice for A-line and sheath wedding dress silhouettes. It’s flowy, flattering, and perfectly cut for these relaxed designs.

There aren’t many cons to a chiffon style, but its delicate texture does mean it tends to crease and warp. For tips on how to get wrinkles out of a chiffon dress, keep scrolling.

Does Chiffon Wrinkle Easily?

Yes, chiffon wrinkles easily. Its lightweight texture and sheer weave are beautiful, but they’re prone to creases and puckers. Generally speaking, the thicker the weave and texture of your chiffon, the more likely it will wrinkle and crease—especially if folded away for long periods of time. Polyester and nylon chiffon are easy to de-wrinkle at home, whereas silk chiffon should be handled by a professional. Check out how to get wrinkles of out of chiffon below!

How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Chiffon Wedding Dress

If your chiffon wedding dress is made of nylon or polyester, it’s easy to de-wrinkle it at home with a garment steamer, iron, or shower method. The most important part of the process is prevention: If you store and care for your item correctly, the less it will wrinkle and warp. When its fabric does wrinkle, here’s how to get wrinkles out of a chiffon dress:

• Use Steam: If you have one, a small hand-held steamer is all you need to smooth out wrinkles in chiffon.
• Use an Iron on Low Heat. Cotton and synthetic chiffon (NOT silk) can typically be ironed on a super low setting. Check your clothing label and proceed carefully.
• Don’t Use the Steam Feature on Your Iron: A garment steamer is great for chiffon, but the steamer on an iron will be too much pressure. If you dampen chiffon heavily and follow with an iron, you risk burning the delicate fabric. 
• Hang in Your Bathroom with the Shower Running. This is an easy, gentle way to de-wrinkle your chiffon dress. Hang your chiffon wedding dress on a clean hanger (preferably a fabric one; wood and plastic may put too much pressure on your gown’s straps), hang it on the back of your door, and turn the shower water on hot. Avoid hanging the gown on your shower rod; this is likely too close to the running water and it may get wet. Leave the water running for about 20-30 minutes for the full steam effect.
• Don’t Use a Wrinkle Release Spray Without Testing. The spray might work to spot-treat your fabric, but it will likely stain or leave a warping effect. Make sure you test a small, inconspicuous area of the gown first.
• Whatever Your Method, Avoid Stretching, Twisting, and Overheating Chiffon. Chiffon is delicate and sensitive to pressure. If you’re not careful with your de-wrinkling, you can end up creating uneven sections of color and texture in your gown.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Chiffon Wedding Dress with Steam

If you want to avoid using an iron on your chiffon, opt for a light steam treatment (NOT direct steam). Here’s how to get wrinkles of out of chiffon with steam:

• Use a Garment Steamer. If you don’t have one, consider picking up a cheap handheld steamer. A small one is usually priced at $20-$30, and you’ll be happy to have it for all kinds of items in your closet—not just chiffon.
• Hang the Dress to Steam. It’s best to steam any item of clothing vertically rather than horizontally to avoid adding wrinkles as you go.
• If You’re Nervous, Test It. Use the steamer on the inner lining or other inconspicuous area of your chiffon dress. If the steam loosens up wrinkles without warping or staining the fabric, you’re good to go.  
• Work the Steamer Nozzle Side to Side, Up and Down. Hold it a few inches away from the fabric, gently sweeping it over the wrinkles until the area is smooth. Repeat until the entire dress is restored.
• Let the Dress Hang. Once you’ve steamed your chiffon dress, keep it hanging vertically. This lets the steaming set in and prevents the fabric from re-wrinkling.
• Use the Shower Method. If you don’t have a garment steamer, use the shower trick we described above. Hanging your dress for 20-30 minutes in a hot, steamy bathroom will do the trick just fine.
• Whatever Your Steam Method, Don’t Rub the Chiffon or Overspray with Water. If there’s one thing to remember about how to get wrinkles out of a chiffon dress, it’s that chiffon is prone to stretching and warping. Handle with care!

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Chiffon with an Iron (Or How to Press Chiffon)

• Check Your Iron for Burns and Chips. These will damage and snag the fabric.
• Set Iron at Lowest Temperature. Seriously, barely-there heat is all you need.
• Iron Chiffon from the Back Side of the Fabric. This will help you avoid damage on the most visible areas of your dress.
• Lay a Clean Towel Over Your Chiffon. This creates a barrier between the iron plate and the delicate fabric.
• Don’t Use the Steam Feature on Your Iron. As we stated above, this steamer is too direct and uneven; it could warp your chiffon.
• Keep Moving the Iron. Don’t let the heating element sit for more than 20-25 seconds in one area of your dress; it will burn the fabric.
• Hang Your Dress After Ironing. Folding it will only re-wrinkle your fabric. Keep your dress vertical to let the ironing set in.

Finally, do NOT use an iron on pleated chiffon; it may ruin the effect entirely. See the next section for our tips on pleating and how to get wrinkles out of chiffon without an iron.

How to Get Wrinkles out of Chiffon Wedding Dress Styles with Pleating

Since pleated chiffon is usually set in the manufacturing process, the pleating tends to stay in place—especially if the fabric is polyester or nylon. That being said, you don’t want to use an iron on your pleated chiffon; you risk ruining the accordion fold or warping the uniformity of creases. Instead, our best advice for how to get wrinkles out of a chiffon dress is with a garment steamer or hot shower method. These will help wrinkles relax without ruining the gorgeous pleated pattern.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Chiffon Without an Iron

Our best advice for how to get wrinkles of out of chiffon is to focus on prevention. Keep the smooth, flowy draping of your chiffon by placing it on a fabric hanger and hanging separately—away from other items of clothing that can press or smash it. If the chiffon wrinkles, use a garment steamer to lightly add heat and moisture and remove creases, or use the hot shower as a DIY method (see section on how to get wrinkles of out of chiffon with steam). If you wash your chiffon item (make sure it’s machine washable!), avoid wringing or smashing it as it dries. Instead, hang vertically on a fabric hanger and place in a clean, low-traffic area of your home to dry.

As we stated above, certain types of chiffon are more prone to wrinkling the others. Generally speaking, the thicker the fabric, the harder it is to store and wash without making creases. Keep this in mind as you pack, store, and hang your chiffon pieces; the thicker the chiffon, the more work it will take to restore its shape and flow.

That’s it—your ultimate guide for how to get wrinkles out of chiffon wedding dress designs with a steaming, ironing, and maintenance plan! If you’re loving this fabric, be sure to check out our latest selection of chiffon beach wedding dresses, or get to know our variety of wedding dress fabrics in the link. Happy shopping and best wishes for your best day ever!