wash and wear
Definition
Adjective - Requiring little or no ironing after washing: "wash and wear" describes a fabric or garment that can be washed and then worn again without needing to be ironed or pressed, due to its wrinkle-resistant properties.
Usage Examples
- (The fabric does not require ironing after washing.)
- (Garments that are easy to care for without ironing.)
- (Indicates the garment is wrinkle-resistant.)
Advanced Usage
- As a noun phrase: The term can also refer to the category of clothing or textiles that have this property.
- I only buy wash and wear for my work wardrobe. (Clothing that does not require ironing.)
Variants and Related Words
- Wash-and-wear (adj): alternative hyphenated spelling, used interchangeably.
- This is a wash-and-wear polyester blend. (A fabric that resists wrinkles.)
Synonyms
- Non-iron: requiring no ironing after washing.
- These non-iron trousers are ideal for commuting. (Similar to wash and wear.)
- Easy-care: requiring minimal effort to maintain.
- Easy-care fabrics are popular for casual wear. (A broader term that includes wash and wear properties.)
Related Idioms
- No iron needed: an idiomatic phrase meaning the same as wash and wear.
- This dress is no iron needed, so it's great for packing. (Does not require pressing.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Wash out: to remove stains or dirt by washing (not specific to wash and wear).
- The mud will wash out easily from this wash and wear fabric. (The fabric's easy-care nature makes cleaning simple.)