Paper is a rather fragile material, as a result it sometimes wrinkles despite all your attention. If it's a relevant document, such as homework, your favorite drawing, or an important form, creases and wrinkles can become a serious problem; however, all is not lost! You can smooth the sheet again and get it back as good as new using something you probably already have around the house.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Weight
Step 1. Smooth the sheet by hand
Although this remedy does not remove all wrinkles, it can eliminate some creases with the movement and pressure of the hand. It is important to proceed gently, as you could tear the paper if you exert too much force; the goal is to flatten the sheet and make it as smooth as possible.
Step 2. Gather several heavy objects
The hand cannot flatten all the wrinkles on the sheet, but a heavy ballast can press the folds away. Look for items in the house that are quite heavy, such as thick books, pots and pans, or even bricks. Choose material that is as large as the paper or larger to cover the entire surface.
It is not necessary to use a very heavy ballast; try stacking several small objects on top of each other to generate some pressure
Step 3. Put the sheet under the heavy object
You must first lay it out on a flat surface, making sure it is as smooth as possible before adding the weights. Make sure the entire piece of paper is covered; if the ballast is not large enough to press the entire sheet, add two or more objects.
Depending on the elements you are using for this job, it is worth putting a towel over the paper before pressing it to prevent it from getting dirty
Step 4. Let the sheet of paper rest
It takes time for the pressure to get rid of the wrinkles, so you have to wait a bit; the time required depends on the initial conditions of the piece of paper and the weight of the objects; consequently, the more you wait, the better. Typically, you should let the pressure work for at least 24 hours.
In most cases, the action of the weight alone is not sufficient to eliminate all the creases; however, it comes in handy for getting rid of several wrinkles before practicing other methods
Method 2 of 3: Using Heat
Step 1. Place the sheet on the ironing board
Make sure it is flat on the surface and smooth it with your hands to check for creases or wrinkles in any area. Cover the plank with a clean towel or sheet before putting on the sheet to prevent it from getting dirty.
- Depending on the type of paper and ink that has been used, it may be necessary to moisten the material with vaporized distilled water before placing the sheet on the board. Moisture softens the material, helping to eliminate wrinkles, but it may also dilute some types of ink (such as that of jet printers); therefore test on a scrap sheet before treating the important one with this method.
- If you don't have an ironing board, any flat surface, like a table, counter, or even the floor is fine! Remember to line it with a thick cotton towel to protect it from the heat.
Step 2. Cover the sheet
You must avoid it getting too hot when you apply heat, otherwise it can burn; this is the reason you need to cover it with a cloth or piece of fabric before ironing it. However, you do not have to fold the sheet or towel in several layers, otherwise the heat cannot reach the paper.
Step 3. Set the iron on a low temperature
Since you don't want to damage the sheet, it's best to start with the lowest level of heat; if you find that the creases do not disappear, raise the temperature slightly.
Wait until the iron has warmed up sufficiently before starting; depending on the type and model of the appliance, it takes from 1 to 3 minutes
Step 4. Iron the sheet
You can use the same technique you normally use for clothes. Move the iron over the fabric-covered paper in small circular motions without dwelling too long on a single point. Stop from time to time, lift the cloth and check for wrinkles; if they are not gone, keep ironing until you are satisfied with the job.
Although it is necessary to move the iron just as you would on clothing, it is important to remember that it is paper and therefore a more fragile material than fabric; move as gently as possible to avoid tearing, tearing, burning or otherwise damaging the sheet
Method 3 of 3: Using Steam
Step 1. Open the shower faucet
You can create a large mass of steam in the bathroom by opening the hot water tap to maximum and closing the door; wait at least 10 minutes to fill the room and allow the steam time to build up.
Step 2. Place the sheet on a flat surface
When the bath is completely impregnated with water vapor, you can place the piece of paper on a horizontal base, so that its fibers unfold. But be careful not to place it too close to the shower, otherwise it gets covered with humidity; make sure there are no creases or wrinkles anywhere on the paper.
Whatever area you place the sheet on, it is worth covering it first with a clean towel that absorbs the moisture deposited on the surface; by doing so, you don't have to worry about the paper getting too wet
Step 3. Wait
In order for the steam to smooth out the creases, you need to leave the sheet in the bathroom for about 10 minutes. If it is very crumpled, it may take even longer; however, remember to check the process frequently to prevent the paper from absorbing too much moisture.
Step 4. Smooth out the creases with your hand
After exposing the material to steam, take it out of the bathroom and place it on another flat surface. Although the steam has "relaxed" some creases, you should still use one hand to press the sheet while it is still soft; proceed gently so as not to tear or damage the document.
- Cover your hand with a clean cloth before rubbing it on the paper; this way you protect the paper from dirt, oil and other residues that may be on the skin.
- Even if you manage to get rid of most of the creases, you should still put the piece of paper under weights for several hours and press it further.
Advice
- If the paper is extremely delicate, you should cover it with a few layers of fabric before ironing it.
- Patience is the key, regardless of the method you choose to smooth the sheet: working too fast can damage the material causing much more damage than a few wrinkles.
