Cleaning Silk Ties

Neckties are a man’s prized collection. Most of them get attached to their collection and feel the pain when even one of their possessions get stained or wrinkled. Although silk ties are not to be cleaned regularly, the clean up become a necessity at times. This holds especially true when they become magnets to things such as ketchup, grease and tomato sauce and thus, have to be cleaned immediately to avoid staining. The first and most important thing to note, while cleaning a silk tie, is keep away from water. Water is the enemy of silk. It can set the stain and can even ruin the silk by causing rings or ripples, thus messing up the color or pattern. In other words, cleaning silk ties needs a lot of precision and the tips given below will help you gain just that.

How To Clean A Silk Tie

Blot the stain with a dry soft paper towel or pinch it with a toilet tissue. Try to remove as much of the offending condiment or other substance as possible.
Dip a small washcloth in rubbing alcohol and dab on the stained area on the tie. Blow-dry the tie immediately, using a hair dryer, to prevent a permanent ring forming around the stained area. If required, repeat two to three times.
If the stain is oily, place a layer of talcum powder or cornstarch over the stained area of the tie. Leave it for several hours or overnight. Wipe the powder off the tie later on, with a towel.
Dab a small amount of stain remover or club soda on the surface of the tie to be cleaned. Blot the area with a paper towel. Since the stain remover can alter the color of the stained portion of the tie, be sure to test the solution at the back first.
If you happen to spill water on your tie, use a blow dryer to dry it immediately. Remove the tie and lay it lengthwise on a clean white towel. Roll up the towel and leave the tie for 1 or 2 days.

Tips

Avoid wearing silk ties in risky situations, such as restaurants, construction sites and auto shows.
If you cannot avoid wearing a tie, tuck it into your jacket or shirt or lay it over one shoulder, before you begin eating.
Spray a thin layer of fabric protection over the tie, before wearing the same.
Pin the tie to the shirt with a tie tack, to make it stay out of harm’s way.
Save the tie from getting stained by covering it with a bib, in situations like eating food.
While storing ties, roll them loosely and do not hang them. Rolled up ties will avoid wrinkling, while hanging them can leave creases.

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