How To Care For Your Ties
How To Care For Your Ties
The right tie can make your outfit unforgettable. Color, style, material, and pattern lets you customize formal suits and tuxedos to show your personality. With a collection of high-quality ties, you can make one suit work for most of your formal occasions.
A well-made tie is an investment. Keep your collection looking sharp longer with proper care techniques.
Removal and Storage
When removing your tie, untie the knot by reversing the method used to tie it (don't put the small end of your tie through the knot). After removing, hang the tie on a tie rack or coat collar, or roll it up in a tie organizer.
Though rolling your ties and placing them in a drawer doesn’t necessarily damage them, in the long term, draping your ties on a tie rack or hanger will better retain its form and reduce wrinkling. Investing in a tie rack will make your tie storing and organizing much easier, and your ties will last longer too.The exception to this rule is square-tipped knit ties. These ties fare better being rolled up loosely and stored. This will ensure that your tie won’t stretch out or lose its shape.
Cleaning
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SPILL FOOD OR DRINK ON YOUR TIE
Remove as much of the food with a spoon or blunt knife.
Remove as much of the liquid or oil by drying it with a napkin.
Use a damp napkin to blot (not rub) the stain. Fizzy water works especially well.
Extra special stains require extra special attention.
Greasy Stains: Put talcum powder or cornstarch on it and leave for a few hours.
Ink: Allow the ink spot to dry before trying to remove it. Adding water to wet ink causes it to run and become even larger. Once dry, blot the stain with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and a cloth. Let it dry and repeat until the stain disappears.
Red Wine: Immediately take the tie off and pour a large amount of table salt on the stain to soak it up. Do not rub the salt… simply leave it on the spot. Next, remove the remainder of the stain using the same rubbing alcohol method as with ink.
Handling Wrinkles
A wrinkled tie will get you noticed for all the wrong reasons. Take pre-emptive action to avoid them. If not, there are safe ways to remove wrinkles without ruining your item.
Loosen the knots when you wear your ties to avoid wrinkles when you take them off.
Hanging or tightly rolling your tie after wear guarantees no wrinkles. Your item shouldn’t be stored with other clothing since rubbing and pressure can cause wrinkles.
Use steam to gently work out unavoidable wrinkles. Hang your tie in the bathroom before your morning shower. For deep creases, a steam iron on low heat works. Pull the tie taut and direct the steam along the length of the tie for several seconds. Don’t let the hot metal touch your item. Even low temperatures can scorch delicate fabrics.
Roll your tie tightly to lightly stretch the wrinkles from your garment. This method works best if you can leave it at least overnight.
Avoid using spray starch or other fabric conditioners on your tie. These heavy sprays can leave stains that are almost impossible to remove.
Wrinkles are no reason to panic when you know what to do!