How to care for the tie?
Wouldn’t you want your precious collection of ties to last forever? As with all clothing accessories,
their care cannot be overemphasized. Additionally, since ties are made of superior fabrics, the washing and storage instructions need to be followed to the tee. Ties should be delicately washed
and preferably not dry-cleaned. During dry-cleaning, the tie may be subjected to a lot of pressure resulting in the rolled edges being flattened out. While most people are fanatical when
maintaining their ties at home, the same may not possible while traveling. Here are a few pointers to take care of your tie when going on a holiday or a business excursion: When the suit is being
packed, the tie should be placed in the inside coat pocket after being folded four times. The tie could also be rolled and kept in a corner of the suitcase. You can be sure that after treating
your tie well, this humble clothing article will pay dividends by helping you to go out there and look your best.
Back to top
How to remove stains from ties?
One of the most frustrating ‘attire’ incidents in the life of any style conscious man happens when
his clothes get spilled with food. This could hold true for accidental spilling of anything that would cause a stain on the fabrics. Some ties are blessed by the makers with the incorporation of
a blocking agent that shields the tie, to a certain extent, from the formation of stains. However, if your tie is not rendered with such protection, it is always advisable to tuck a napkin into
your collar and letting it fall down the length of your torso, covering both your shirt and your tie.
Even with all the care you take, there are bound to be days when your tie does get stained or spotted. If you
happen to be unlucky, all you need to do is dip a clean napkin into club soda or seltzer and wipe away the stain. In cases where your tie is stained with grease, applying a dose of talcum powder
tends to absorb the excessive grease, making the tie more easily cleanable.
Back to top
How to properly store the ties?
Proper storage of ties plays a big role in prolonging their life and enhancing their looks. Ties should be
stored in the closet in a clean and dry environment. Like other clothing, ties too are susceptible to the ravage caused by moth and silverfish attacks. These insects are capable of eating into
and destroying a tie in no time. Therefore, the cupboard or box in which the ties are stored should be liberally treated with camphor balls or any other moth repellant. The ties can either be
hung on hangars along with the suits, or can be rolled and kept in a box, or they can be folded into quarters.
If you are not in the habit of regularly using a tie, frequent airing of the ties is a must to prevent moss
formation or fabric decay. It is advisable not to store ties in a cramped location or pressed under a large number of other clothes as this could result in unruly creases. Such creases may
require a hot iron to be removed, which could in turn damage the tie. Additionally, most experts recommend that the tie be kept back in the closet with the knot untied. If the tie is kept
knotted for long periods of time, it could result in permanent wrinkles.
Back to top
How to clean a silk tie?
While cleaning a tie can be a delicate procedure, it becomes all the more intricate when the tie is made of
silk. Silk, being a glossy and smooth material, requires extra care and judicious maintenance. As with other ties, silk ties also should not be subjected to dry-cleaning as this vigorous process
may wear out the sheen of the tie. Additionally, the rounded edges may get pressed flat. For normal stains and spots, the local application of club soda or seltzer along with minimal rubbing
should get rid of the blemishes. This treatment, however, is only suited for water-based stains. For oil-based stains, it makes sense to spread a layer of talcum powder on the affected area which
would serve to absorb the grease from the stain, making cleaning easier.
Certain stubborn stains that do not disappear through conventional means may require mild chemical spot
removers or cleaning agents. When using these cleaners, it is recommended that the user first try them out on the rear of the tie to confirm that the tie fabric is not affected. At home, ties can
be cleaned with normal detergents and water, taking care that the tie is not scrubbed too harshly.
Back to top
How to iron a tie?
Besides proper storage and intelligent cleaning, the way the tie is ironed can also play a part in giving the
tie a long life. Before ironing the tie, it is advisable to read the instructions mentioned at the back of the tie. A rule of thumb says that you should use a moderately hot iron. Additionally,
you should never press down with too much force on the tie as the rounded edges tend to get flattened, giving a tie a worn out appearance.
Generally, silk and polyester ties need a cool iron, wool ties could be ironed with a medium-hot setting, and
cotton and linen ties are the only ties that require a hot iron. Normally, the tie is ironed with the rear side facing upwards at the beginning. The front portion is ironed out last. Depending on
the user preferences, a thin cloth can be placed over the tie when it is being ironed. This will prevent any burn marks and also avoid the possibility of the iron sticking to the tie, discoloring
it, or imparting that characteristic ‘excessively used and ironed’ shiny look. A final tip is never to iron a tie after spot-cleaning as the damp spot may end up becoming a permanent
discoloration.
Back to top
How to remove the tie?
While wearing a tie could well be considered an art, removing the tie is no less demanding a task. Fashion
experts suggest untying the tie using same steps you performed when tying the tie, in reverse order. This will ensure that the tie remains straight and un-stretched. Removing the tie by just
pulling on the knot to untie it is a strict ‘no-no’, as this would result in the tie getting creased and even losing shape. Also, due to the repeated stretching pressure when pulling
on the knot, the fibers of the tie may tear. Many men, through force of habit and due to time constraints, tend to knot the tie with enough of an expandable loop, allowing them to slip off the
tie over their heads without needing to unknot the tie. This is a bad practice as, besides causing winkles it also tends to result in an uneven wearing off of the tie at the point of the
knot.
While not being a major time saving measure, untying a tie by actually opening each fold would definitely keep
your tie as good as new for years to come. Additionally, this practice also prevents the length of the tie within the knot getting deeply creased. Such creases would become highly visible, if you
were to knot your tie at a slightly higher or lower level the next time.
Back to top
How to prevent wrinkles in a tie?
One of the most unsightly visions in the overall attire of a man is a creased tie. While looking sloppy, these
tie wrinkles tend to give the observer an impression that the tie’s wearer is an unkempt person and not conscious of his appearance. While light ironing is the most common way of getting
rid of creases, another lesser known practice is to wrap the tie around the palm of the hand and then remove it and store it in the wrapped position. Most wrinkles tend to disappear after a
period of time. Of course, this can only be done if you have sufficient time. In situations of haste, the best option is still the iron. When ironing the tie, we would suggest that you use a warm
iron with a thin cloth placed over the tie.
Another innovative way of getting the tie unwrinkled is to hang the tie on a peg or a line in the bathroom
when taking a shower. The steam generated from the shower in the closed confines of the bathroom would soften the fibers and reduce the wrinkles to some extent.
Back to top