Nearly every self-service washer and dryer has a “Perm Press” setting, short for “Permanent Press.” It might sound a little intense, but don’t shy away from this setting at the laundromat. There isn’t much permanent about it, and it doesn’t truly “press” your clothes. The effect can be similar, though. The permanent press gives your clothes a lasting crispy appearance without the need for heat-intensive or chemical treatments. The better the washer and dryer, the more effective the press — so choose your laundromat wisely!

How Does the Permanent Press Work?

To give your clothes a fresh, “pressed” look, the perm press seeks to work out as many wrinkles as possible while making it more difficult for your clothes to take on new ones. In the washer, this means first washing the clothes warm while maintaining a slow spin. Warm water relaxes wrinkles, and the force from the spins cause them to flatten out. Afterwards, the machine rinses the clothes in cold water, helping the clothes resist new wrinkling. Meanwhile, a laundromat’s permanent press uses medium heat to smooth out wrinkles.

Benefits of the Perm Press

Permanent press is a gentler type of wash — it doesn’t contain hot or cold water and spins slow. This makes it good for clothing with sensitive fabric or bright colors. Hot water tends to wash out bright colors, leaving them faded, and can shrink fabrics. This cycle is best used with items you wear regularly — that gentleness makes the repeat cycles wear on the fabric less — and with fabrics like polyester and rayon.

When the Dryer Doesn’t Have a Perm Press Setting

That’s typically because the perm press drying cycle is built into the machine. Perm press became such a commonly-used cycle that many manufacturers of dryers decided to cut out the middleman and use it as the default. That’s how dynamic this cycle is — give it a try at your next trip to the laundromat.

City Laundry is the laundromat with the best residential and commercial laundry machines in Lincoln. Their laundry service helps people look good. You’ll walk out of City Laundry with a basketful of crisp laundry that won’t take on folds or wrinkles any time soon. Give City Laundry a call at (402) 483-2113 or visit their website to find out what they can do for your clothes.