Can You Put A Pleated Skirt In The Dryer?

Back in style, pleated skirts have existed for years in fashion. Even the Ancient Egyptians wore pleats in their clothing. However, in ancient times the only way to dry clothes was by hanging them up to dry. So what about in the modern era where dryers exist? Is it okay to throw your pleated skirt in the dryer with your other laundry? Well, we've researched the topic in-depth and have an answer for you.

Pleated skirts should not be put in the dryer. Instead, in order to maintain their pleats, the skirts should be hung up to dry by the top of the waistband. If you are unsure how to care for your pleated skirt, first check for any labels that might list washing and drying instructions. 

So, now you know that putting pleated skirts in the dryer is not a good idea. However, you should keep reading as we elaborate on this further. We'll also answer some other questions you might have about caring for your pleated skirt. Plus, if it's too late and you've already made the mistake of putting your skirt in the dryer, we'll also tell you how to restore the pleats in it!

Multicolored female clothes hanging on white room divider. Can You Put A Pleated Skirt In The Dryer

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Drying A Pleated Skirt

Before washing and drying any item of clothing, you should always try to find any listed care instructions. You can usually find directions for washing and drying on a label inside of the clothing. It will either be on the waistband or the lefthand side in the seam. Sometimes labels fade or are missing, so if you can't find one, you might be wondering what to do.

Group of skirts on clothes racks

You should not put a pleated skirt in the dryer as it can cause the pleats to fall out. Pleats, like wrinkles, are folds in the fabric, and when you don't feel like ironing a wrinkly shirt, you probably throw it in the dryer. However, just like a dryer can remove wrinkles, it can also remove the pleats in your skirt.

Since your skirt cannot go in the dryer, it should be hung up to dry. To maintain the pleats, you should hang the skirt up by its waistband to allow the pleats to fall into place.

Can You Machine Wash Pleated Skirts?

So you can't machine dry a pleated skirt, but can you machine wash a pleated skirt? Well, this depends. Whether you can machine wash a pleated skirt depends on what material the skirt is made from, what type of pleat is in the skirt, and whether the skirt is dry clean only.

If the skirt's care label says that it is "dry clean only," then your skirt should not be put in the washer and instead taken to the dry cleaners. However, if your skirt says it is machine washable, be sure to wash it on a cold cycle. Washing it on cold will help prevent the pleats from falling out and keep the skirt from shrinking. Aside from this, you can wash it on a normal cycle.

Can You Put Pleats Back In A Skirt?

Sometimes pleats can be ironed back into a skirt. Other times, you may need to enlist the help of a dry cleaner. If pleats are not sewn into the skirt, it means the pleats were probably put into the fabric before the skirt was assembled. A machine is used to set the pleats in place. These kinds of pleats are more challenging to put back in, but there are some things you can try.

First, try washing the skirt, and while it is damp, hanging it to dry so, the pleats can fall back in naturally. You can also try folding the skirt neatly where the pleats are and wrapping it tightly. Finally, you can wrap it in a towel and leave it to dry.

If pleats cannot be put back into the fabric of the skirt, you may need to replace the material with new pleated fabric. Otherwise, it may be easier to purchase a new skirt than to go through the trouble of restoring it.

Can Dry Cleaners Restore Pleats?

If you aren't having any luck restoring your skirt's pleats by yourself, you can try calling your local dry cleaners. Many dry cleaners will restore the pleats for you, but be sure to give them a call and check first. Whether they can fix the pleats depends greatly on the type of pleat and whether the fabric will need re-pleating completely.

In some cases, as we mentioned above, it might be more affordable to buy a new pleated skirt than to pay for a dry cleaner to restore it. However, it might be worth giving them a call and getting a price quote.

How Do You Iron Pleated Skirts?

Ironing a pleated skirt might seem intimidating, and using an iron is not recommended. First, the best way to remove wrinkles from a pleated skirt is to use a clothes steamer. It's not as simple as just running the iron over the entire garment the way you might iron other pieces. However, if you don't have a clothes steamer, you can remove the wrinkles using an iron, but it can require patience and care, especially with small pleats.

Begin With Unpleated Areas

Regardless of the size of the pleats, if the skirt has an area that is not pleated, you should iron that section first. You should also begin at the waistband and work your way down each pleat.

Separate Each Pleat

Separate each pleat and iron between the folds of the pleat one pleat at a time. Do not move the iron across the material. Instead, hold the iron in place for a few seconds before moving to the next wrinkle. Work your way around the skirt until you've iron between each pleat. You can also keep the pleats in place using paperclips, but don't iron over them, or they will leave a mark!

Before ironing your skirt, be sure to check the label for recommended heat settings. If you're worried about the material of your skirt, you can also iron over a damp cloth. This will help remove the wrinkles in a similar way to a clothes steamer.

Are Pleated Skirts Flattering?

Whether a pleated skirt is flattering depends on where the pleats begin. If the pleats begin too high up, it can cause you to look wider instead of slimmer. An exception to this is if the pleats begin at the top but begin small and get wider towards the bottom.

If you want to highlight your waist, try tucking your shirt into your pleated skirt. It can help draw attention to the smallest part of your figure, creating a flattering look. If you have a curvy figure or wide hips that you don't want to draw attention to, try opting for a flowy pleated skirt. Pleated skirts can also make you look taller if you opt for a shorter style.

So, yes, in summary, pleated skirts can be flattering, but they can also be unflattering depending on the style. It's best to try on some different styles to see which one works best for your figure.

For more reading on this question, check out our other blog post here: Do Pleated Skirts Suit Everyone?

How Do You Care For Pleated Fabric?

The best way to care for pleated fabric is by following the care directions on the garment. However, in general, the pleated fabric can be washed at a low temperature with light colors. It should not be put in the dryer, or you might lose the pleats. It is always best to hang the fabric by its waistband and let your pleated fabric line dry.

If your pleated fabric becomes wrinkled, it's always better to use a clothes steamer instead of an iron to remove the wrinkles. However, if you must use an iron, make sure it is on the lowest heat setting.

Click here to see Electrolux portable handheld garment & fabric steamer on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Multicolored female clothes hanging on white room divider. Can You Put A Pleated Skirt In The Dryer

Even though you can't throw your pleated skirt in the dryer, pleats are still in style, so it is worth taking the extra steps to line dry and keep the pleats flowing on your skirt. Hopefully, our article has helped answer some questions you might have had about caring for pleats and keeping your skirt looking its best for a long time to come.

For a similar article to read, check out this other blog post: Should You Put Leggings In The Dryer Or Hang To Air Dry?

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