What You Should Know about Wash-and-Wear "Wash-and-wear garments tend to retain their original shape and appearance after repeated wear and laundering, with little or no ironing." If you are like me you are wondering: "Are there garments that are not wash-and-wear?" I had to turn to Google. So here is a term you might recognize. Permanent Press Easy Care, No Iron, Wash and Wear. These are terms used for clothing that have been treated to be wrinkle resistant. In the 1940's, clothing would be treated with urea-formaldehyde. (again with the formaldehyde) However, there tended to be some after effects like yellowing, odors, and complications with bleaching clothing treated this way. Our Almanac actually says that "A fishy odor may indicate a finish which has not been fully cured." EW. In the 1950's, blended clothing was manufactured to prevent wrinkles and make them easier to care for. This is when we ...