Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a moulded plastic used in a wide variety of products including shower curtains and kids' raincoats. Many manufacturers add plasticisers to PVC to make it softer and more flexible for items such as clothing. As a result, PVC typically wrinkles easily. Removing wrinkles from kids' PVC raincoats isn't difficult though, as PVC reacts to heat---heat softens the plastic to smooth out any wrinkles.

  • Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a moulded plastic used in a wide variety of products including shower curtains and kids' raincoats.
  • Removing wrinkles from kids' PVC raincoats isn't difficult though, as PVC reacts to heat---heat softens the plastic to smooth out any wrinkles.

Hang the PVC raincoat on a clothes hanger.

Plug your hair dryer into an electrical socket and set it on the HIGH setting.

Heat the vinyl surface of the raincoat with the hair dryer to smooth out the wrinkles. Put on your mask and hold the hair dryer six to eight inches from the surface. Slowly sweep hot air across the surface. Wrinkles should slowly flatten out.

Hang the PVC raincoat on a clothes hanger and hang it from your shower rod inside the shower.

Point the showerhead away from the raincoat.

Turn on the hot water in the shower and let it run for five to 10 minutes so that the hot steam softens the plastic and removes the wrinkles.

TIP

To save water when using the shower method, place a stopper in your tub (if applicable) and reuse the collected water to clean your car or to water plants. If the hair dryer or shower don't automatically remove the wrinkles, lay the softened plastic raincoat on a flat work surface. Cover with a cotton cloth and smooth out the wrinkles with a cold, dry iron. If that doesn't work, place a damp cloth over the vinyl, set the iron to HIGH and hot iron---checking the vinyl repeatedly to protect against overheating.

WARNING

Never iron directly on vinyl as the vinyl will melt, resulting in damage not only to the raincoat, but also to your iron. Always wear a mask when removing wrinkles from PVC and work in a well-ventilated area (outside or open windows and turn on any exhaust fans), as heating PVC can release chemicals harmful for humans to breathe.