Ties have the ability to pull an outfit together, and whatever the occasion, nothing says sharp-dressed, professional or influential quite like a sharp suit and carefully chosen tie.
Of course, your necktie is only impactful and aesthetically pleasing if it’s clean, and so if the garment is stained or unkempt, it’s going to affect your overall ensemble. Looking after your tie in the correct way is a key factor towards both allowing it to function in an outfit and safeguarding it for years to come.
There are a lot of opinions out there concerning tie care, whether that’s the processes involved or what to use, but rest assured, because our Ties R Us team has compiled a list of everything you need to know to keep your ties in tip-top condition.
General Maintenance
How often do you come home from a long day at work, kick off your shoes and lethargically pull at the tie that has felt like a ligature all day? In short, don’t!
Tugging at your tie just enough to slip it off over your head is a big no when it comes to general maintenance. Instead, you should take the time to carefully remove your tie, this will aid in maintaining the tie’s shape as will avoiding knotting the tie when it’s not in use.
The stitching in your tie is incredibly delicate, so handling it too roughly when removing it can cause the stitching to break, effectively ruining your tie.
Cleaning Your Ties
Ties are an important part of an ensemble, but they do sit precariously close to the dropzone for any wayward food or drink. Spillages and splashes are sometimes unavoidable, however, unlike the rest of your laundry pile, the washing of ties can be problematic.
Various delicate fabrics mean that the cleaning process should be approached differently, so machine washing your tie and then bunging it into the tumble dryer is something that you should avoid. Instead, we recommend that your ties should be either hand washed or dry cleaned and left to air dry, depending on the fabric.
Spot Cleaning A Tie
As we mentioned above, it’s inevitable that at some point you’re likely to encounter unwanted spills and stains on your tie, but before you go about cleaning the tie by other means, it’s important that you try and spot clean any stains first.
If the stain is water-soluble, try using sparkling water on a clean cloth and firmly dabbing the stain to try and lift it, be gentle enough so as not to rub the stain and embed it into the fabric further.
If your stain is oil-based, the removal process can be a little more difficult. We recommend trying talcum powder or cornflour to try and lift the stain, though these are best being applied straight away and left for a couple of hours for the cleaning process to have any effect.
How To Clean A Silk Tie
Silk ties are a popular accessory option thanks to their versatility, and it’s this very adaptability which allows them to be worn to a range of occasions across all seasons.
Despite being soft and smooth to the touch, silk is actually is incredibly strong, durable and retains its shape well. That being said silk is not a fan of moisture, chemicals or abrasive rubbing, all of which can damage your silk necktie beyond repair. So how do you clean a silk tie? Here is what we suggest:
- Dry clean only, allow a professional who knows their fabrics to look after your garment and make sure you ask them to hand press the tie to keep the edge of the tie maintained.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer on your silk tie altogether, and if your tie happens to get wet, hang it up and allow it to air dry.
- It’s recommended that you steam silk as direct contact with the iron can cause the material to burn. If the iron is your only option, use a towel or clean cloth in between the tie and iron, which should be on the lowest heat setting possible.
- Never use bleach as this will cause serious damage to the tie.
How To Clean A Wool Tie
Perfect for replacing cool, light summer fabrics like satin and silk, woollen ties are naturally thicker and are an ideal accessory option for the colder winter months. The texture of a wool tie is generally heavier and provides a little extra insulation, as well as looking great in your ensemble. While wool ties are an excellent addition to your wardrobe, they can prove a bit of a pain to look after. Here some tips on how to care for a wool tie:
- You should only dry clean when absolutely necessary, washing wool increases the chance of shrinking the material which is irreversible.
- Never use a tumble dryer, instead, you should hang your tie to air dry.
- You should not use an iron on a woollen tie, instead use a steamer to remove any wrinkles or creases
- Never use hot water or bleach and avoid storing in plastic or direct sunlight.
How To Clean A Polyester Tie
Polyester is a man-made fibre, and though it has similar properties to cotton, it boasts added benefits such as affordability and durability. Along with being cost-effective, polyester ties are water-resistant, quick-drying, do not shrink and are wrinkle-resistant, all desirable factors when it comes to a hassle-free accessory for all occasions. Cleaning a polyester tie is much simpler, but take a look at these top tips for preserving your tie and extra peace of mind:
- Polyester ties should be hand-washed gently in either cold or warm water.
- Prior to hanging the tie to air dry, use a towel to press out any excess water.
- Though it’s recommended that you use a steamer, you can use an iron on a low or medium setting.
- Never use bleach on polyester, a hot iron setting and avoid wringing or twisting the tie when wet.
If you’re on the search for more top tie tips and style guides, check out our Ties R Us blog page and follow our expert team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
