to improve a smoothing effect on items of clothing by subjecting the items to moisture and heat and , thereby , relaxing the fabric of the clothing items to reduce creases , an apparatus and a method of smoothing includes subjecting the items of clothing , preferably , in a heated and moistened state , to at least one gas jet , in particular , a compressed air jet , which is not aligned parallel to the clothing item and which exerts a force on the clothing item . advantageously , the clothing item is subjected to gas jets from both sides .