Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Using Weights
• Method 2 of 3: Using Heat
• Method 3 of 3: Using steam
• Tips
• Warnings
• Additional articles

Paper is fragile and can wrinkle even with careful handling. If the piece of paper contains something important, such as homework done, a beautiful drawing or document, creases and wrinkles can be a serious problem. Don't be discouraged, though: using the tools at hand, you can flatten the paper and make it look like new.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using Weights

1. 1 Smooth out the paper with your hands. While this is unlikely to remove all the wrinkles, it will straighten the sheet of paper a little. However, be careful not to use too much force to avoid tearing the paper. Just try to straighten the crumpled sheet.
2. 2 Find some heavy objects. It is unlikely that you will be able to completely flatten a sheet of paper by hand, so find something heavy that you can press down on it. Look for items that are massive enough. Thick books, pots, pans, and even bricks will do. Choose items that completely cover the sheet of paper.
   • You don't have to look for very heavy items. To properly press down on the paper, you can place several items on top of one another.
3. 3 Press down on the paper. Place heavy objects on a sheet of paper before placing it on a flat, smooth surface. Press down on the entire surface of the sheet so that it is completely flattened.If one item is not enough to cover the entire sheet, take several items and place them close to each other on the paper.
   • If the items you use might stain the paper, cover it with a towel.
4. 4 Wait for the paper to flatten. It may take a while for any creases to be smoothed out. While it all depends on how much the paper is wrinkled and how heavy the items you are using, the longer you leave the paper under the load, the better. As a rule, you need to wait at least 24 hours.
   • In most cases, this method will not completely get rid of the wrinkles on the paper. However, it does help smooth out the paper a bit before moving on to other methods.

Method 2 of 3: Using Heat

1. 1 Place the paper on the ironing board. Smooth out the paper with your hand so that it lies flat on the board and does not wrinkle or wrinkle. Before placing a sheet of paper on the ironing board, place a towel or sheet on it to avoid staining the paper.
   • Depending on the type of paper and ink used, you may want to lightly sprinkle distilled water on the paper before placing it on the ironing board. The water will help soften the paper, making it easier to remove wrinkles. However, water can cause some ink to leak, such as ink from an inkjet printer, so try on a draft first before splashing water on a clean copy.
   • If you don't have an ironing board, any smooth surface, such as a table or even a flat floor, will work. Remember to cover the surface with a thick cotton towel to protect it from the hot iron.
2. 2 Cover the paper. Protect the paper from excessive heat or it may darken and char. Cover the paper with a clean towel or cloth before ironing it out. However, do not fold the towel in multiple layers, otherwise the paper may not warm up.
3. 3 Set the iron to a low temperature and turn it on. For a start, it is better to set the minimum temperature regime so as not to damage the paper. If the paper does not flatten with this setting, raise the temperature slightly.
   • Wait for the iron to warm up before ironing the paper. This can take from one to three minutes, depending on the type of iron.
4. 4 Smooth out the paper. You can do the same as for ironing clothes. Move the iron over the cloth-covered paper in short, circular strokes, and do not sit in one place for too long. Lift the fabric from time to time and check to see if the paper is flattened. Continue ironing the paper until the wrinkles disappear.
   • Although paper should be ironed in the same way as clothing, remember that it is less durable than fabric. Be extremely careful not to rip or burn the paper.

Method 3 of 3: Using steam

1. 1 Run the shower. If you run hot water in the shower and close the door, the bathroom will fill with water vapor. Wait at least 10 minutes for enough steam to build up.
2. 2 Place the paper on a smooth surface. When the bathroom is full of steam, you can put paper in it - the steam will soften the paper fibers. However, do not bring the paper too close to the shower or it will get wet. Be careful not to curl or wrinkle the paper.
   • Wherever you are going to put paper, it is advisable to cover this area with a clean towel. The towel will absorb the accumulated moisture, so you don't have to worry about getting wet on the paper.
3. 3 Wait for the paper to straighten. Let the paper sit in the bathroom for about 10 minutes for the steam to work properly. If the paper is badly wrinkled, hold it a little longer, but check periodically to make sure it is not very wet.
4. 4 Smooth out the creases with your hand. After the steam has saturated the paper, remove it from the bathroom and place it on a smooth surface. With the steam, some of the wrinkles will disappear. While the paper is still wet, smooth it out with your hand. Be careful not to rip or damage the paper when doing this.
   • You can wrap a clean hand towel around your palm before smoothing the paper. This will help protect the paper from dirt, grease and dust that may be on your skin.
   • Even if you manage to get rid of most of the wrinkles, then it is better to press down the paper for several hours or for the whole day with something heavy to finally smooth it out.

Tips

• If the paper is very thin, place several layers of fabric on top of it before ironing.
• Whichever method of paper smoothing you choose, the key is to be patient. If you are in a hurry, you can damage the paper, and instead of a couple of folds, you will have more serious problems.

Warnings

• Even at the lowest temperature setting, the iron can get very hot. Be careful not to burn your fingers when smoothing the paper.

Additional articles

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