For hotel guests, arriving with a suitcase full of creased clothing is hardly unusual. Traditionally, this has meant providing an iron and ironing board in the room, or access to a steamer, pressing, or laundry service.
A new Auckland-made product could offer another option.
Pressed is a locally developed crease release spray designed to smooth wrinkles from clothing without heat or steam. The water-based formula is sprayed directly onto garments before the fabric is smoothed or shaken by hand and allowed to air dry for a few moments.
It is a simple proposition, but one that could be particularly relevant for accommodation operators looking for small additions to the guest experience.
Pressed could be made available in guestrooms alongside existing garment-care amenities, offered on request through reception or concierge, incorporated into premium room categories or potentially retailed to guests who want to take a bottle with them.
Pressed founder Kelly Keach created the product after travelling and trying to make suitcase-creased clothing presentable without easy access to an iron.
“I genuinely assumed someone here would be making one,” said Keach. “After searching everywhere, it became pretty clear there wasn’t really anything like it available in New Zealand, so I decided to make it myself.”
Keach subsequently spent a year developing the product with an Auckland manufacturer.
For business travellers preparing for meetings, wedding guests getting ready for an event or leisure travellers heading out for dinner, the ability to quickly freshen a garment could provide a useful alternative when full pressing facilities aren't necessary.
The spray helps fabric fibres relax so creases can be smoothed by hand. Fast-evaporating elements help the garment dry quickly, while conditioning and softening agents help ease tension within the fabric. A fresh linen fragrance provides an additional clothing-refresh element.
It suits most everyday fabrics, including cotton, linen, and blends, although patch testing is recommended for delicate fabrics, and the spray is not recommended for silk, leather, or suede.
“Pressed was created to make clothing care feel easier,” said Keach. “We wanted to bridge the gap between laundry and leaving the house. Not everyone has the time, space or patience to iron, but everyone wants to walk out the door looking put together.”
With compact packaging and a recyclable PET bottle, Pressed offers hoteliers a locally made product that addresses a familiar traveller problem without requiring additional equipment.
For properties increasingly considering the smaller conveniences that can make a stay easier, garment care may be another area worth revisiting.
