How To Clean A Tie

Preventing stains on ties to begin with is always the first choice. Protect them before use with a fabric guard that’s specifically designed for fine apparel. Tucking your tie inside of your dress shirt during meals is preferable to throwing it over your shoulder but either way will reduce the possibility of stains. Try to avoid situations which will almost guarantee mishaps such as preparing food or holding babies.

The most important thing to remember is that washing machines are the natural enemies of ties, followed by irons on high settings. It is recommended that silk ties not be dry-cleaned unless and until you’ve exhausted all other options since the chemicals used in the cleaning process can discolor the tie and pressing it will destroy the luster or sheen. If, after considering the costs of dry-cleaning as opposed to purchasing a new tie, you do opt to have the tie dry-cleaned, be sure to point out the stain and let them know what it is, such as ketchup, mustard, ink, coffee, etc. Remember that the pressing process will cause the tie to lose its folds around the edges and will be creased instead.

Following is a list of several different tie-cleaning tips and techniques to try:

1. Always act immediately. Don’t give the stain time to set.
2. Lay the tie flat on clean, dry paper towels and sprinkle talcum powder on the stain. Let it sit overnight to absorb the oils then gently brush the powder off with a dry face-cloth. Repeat if necessary.
3. Do not rub the stain since that will only worsen it, blot it instead first with a dry napkin or paper towel to remove excess and then dip a clean napkin or paper towel in seltzer water or drinking water and blot it again.
4. Spray a small amount of stain remover on the stain then blot with a clean rag. Follow the directions on the bottle of stain remover.
5. After pre-treating the stain with a mild stain remover, rub it gently with your fingertips for approximately 60 seconds then submerge the tie in cool water with a few drops of a mild detergent, gently swish the tie around for approximately 4 minutes. Rinse with cool water and then again in a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to 3-5 gallons of water. Do not wring it out. Lay it on a soft, clean towel and loosely roll it up. Leave it overnight then roll out and lay flat on a clean, dry towel. Iron on a low setting with no steam only if necessary.

The above suggestions may work on some stains and not others and results may vary from one tie to the next. If it’s a choice between hand-cleaning a tie and discarding it altogether, then it makes sense to at least give it a shot.

Please use caution when cleaning ties. When trying various liquids, cleaners or soaps, first try it on a small sample of the tie from the back. Watch for any discoloration or fabric damage before trying to clean the entire tie.

These tie cleaning tips are suggestions only, no guarantees are made. Tie-Directory.com is not responsible or liable for any damages.