Is the press ever permanent?
Permanent - press is a marketing term. A more accurate description would be somewhat - wrinkle - resistant - while - the - garment - is - relatively - new... but that wouldn't fit on labels very easily :p :p :p
Permanent press is a type of cloth that resists wrinkling. However you still have to touch them up from time to time. The reason for the setting is it needs a much cooler temperature or it will ruin the material (leaves a bad shine on it). The iron will not steam n this setting either. You can use this setting for more delicate clothing also.
