I just can’t get enthusiastic about ironing clothes - and don’t even mention linens. But many people carefully smooth out their garments before every use, presenting a crisp and polished appearance. After all, the rumpled look doesn’t cut it in many work places. So the promise of ever-smooth clothing can be very powerful. Think of all the time saved.

Several clothing companies advertise shirts, trousers, and other garments that do not need ironing. For instance, this is just one line available from Mark’s Work Wearhouse, along with stain repellant and anti-microbial choices. The ironing-free shirts claim seams that do not pucker, along with wash-and-wear cloth.

But have you ever wondered how these clothes are made possible? After all, most cotton, linen, silk, and other natural fibres seem to wrinkle up after being washed or worn (and even while being worn). On the other hand, synthetic fibres like rayon and lycra tend to hang flat. But the newest technology combines traditional fibres, especially cottons, with the wrinkle-free claims.

It is remarkably difficult to find open discussion about these materials. In part, this is likely due to remaining competitive in the crowded apparel industry. There is always another, cheaper, company willing to mass-produce the latest hits. A second explanation could be that the process might not be universally popular. The term “proprietary finish” is used. This likely alludes to the role of nanotechnology in producing wrinkle-free and other innovative clothing.

Nanotechnology refers to the use of incredibly small particles - less than 100 nanometres - to enhance the properties of a material. With fabrics, these tiny particles are permanently attached to the cloth fibres. It is considered a huge growth area for the textile industry. Characteristics like fabric softness, water repellency, microbial resistance, durability, breathability, and fire retardancy are all possible. For example, self-cleaning properties derive from a nano-titanium dioxide and zinc oxide coating, while antimicrobial properties are due to nanoparticles of silver enclosed in a polymer that reacts with fibres.

Special “nano” finishes are responsible for non-iron, never iron, nano crease, and nano care possibilities, in the case of Sintex. This company provides high-end fabrics for names as diverse as Nike, Van Heusen, Marks & Spencer, GAP, and Tommy Hilfiger. If your enhanced clothing recommends avoiding fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and dry-cleaning, there is a good chance that you are wearing some engineered technology.

With wrinkle-free trousers and shirts, cotton fabric is dipped into a chemical solution of nanoparticles - unnamed for proprietary reasons. These particles are absorbed into the cotton and coat every thread, creating microscopic whiskery extensions that extend up from the fabric. These whiskers create an air cushion over the cloth, which both repels water and smoothes out wrinkles.

So what’s the problem? After all, it sounds pretty terrific. And it may well be. It’s just that the technology has advanced so quickly that some effects are still unknown. Those nanoparticles are tiny enough to get absorbed by the skin, with unforeseeable results. The biodegradable potential is not understood. So some critics advise caution and a slower move to include nano-particles across different products.

Photo credit: Chez Larsson@Flickr.com