# Wrinkle-free shirts and permanent creases

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrinkle-free-shirts-and-permanent-creases/201622>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 14, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrinkle-free-shirts-and-permanent-creases/201622 "2003-09-14T21:53:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BrianS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@BrianS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianS)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrinkle-free-shirts-and-permanent-creases/201622/1 "2003-09-14T21:53:41Z")

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What makes “wrinkle-free” shirts and pants, wrinkle free?

And how does the manufacturer of Dockers pants create the permanent crease in their product?

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**Author:** ![BrianS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@BrianS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianS)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrinkle-free-shirts-and-permanent-creases/201622/2 "2003-09-15T05:00:01Z")

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I think this deserves a bump.

(well, of course I do, it’s my thread)

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**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrinkle-free-shirts-and-permanent-creases/201622/3 "2003-09-15T08:08:00Z")

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From [this site](http://apparel.indiamart.com/lib/manufacturing/wrinkle11021998.html):

> [@](#):
>
> \*The wrinkle free finish ( also known as “Easy Care”, Durable Press", “Wrinkle-Resistant”, “Wash and Wear”, “No-Iron” etc. ) is obtained by cross-linking cotton. Permanent press finishes function by forming cross-links between adjacent cellulose polymer chains, these give cotton some elastic and resiliency properties. Such cross-linked cotton can recover from deformation stresses and thus wrinkles will not form. \*

I also found this [old thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129556&highlight=wrinkle+free) on the subject.