I do this with linen table cloths. My God Mother who is a woman of incredible grace and style, told me to wash my linen table cloths in hot water, roll them up, put in a plastic bag and store in the freezer. The day before using, I take it out and as you said use a dry iron and iron it dry. The table cloth would be so smooth and crisp.
I am one who washes most fabric when it comes into my house, for the simple reason that I get eczema from the chemical residue left on the cloth.