How To Store, Clean And Iron Ties

The position of your tie on your chest instantly captures attention, kind of like the "S" in the Superman emblem. And the right tie can transform your Clark Kent look into something more like the "Man of Steel."

From the moment you start investing in a collection of quality ties - pieces you'll wear for years to come - the questions arise:

• • "What do I have to do to make them look good and always ready?"

• • "Where should I keep all these ties?"

• • "What do I do to stop them getting lost in the sock drawer?"

• • "What do I do to remove that huge stain from dinner?"

We know it: we too have asked ourselves those same questions.

 

We have compiled everything you need to know about storage and cleaning of ties. Tips to keep your tie looking clean and wrinkle-free whether you're going to work or saving the world from baddies.

 

But before we get into the topic of tie care, let's solve the first mistake that we all make, which is the one that drastically reduces the life of your tie.

ARE YOU MESSING UP YOUR TIES?

Obviously a man of your style knows how to choose and wear a tie. But do you know how to take it off without stretching the fabric?

There are a lot of guys who pull the knot loose enough for their head to pass through and then carelessly toss their tie over a chair until they need it again.

This method — leaving the tie always tied — spoils the material, creates permanent wrinkles, and makes the knot look worn and crushed.

Have you ever complimented someone who wore a worn or flattened tie? Sure, neither do we.

We believe that all men deserve to wear a new knot every time they wear a tie. This is one of those little details in life that bring a lot of pleasure.

The correct way to remove your tie:

• • Gently release the knot.

• • Keep releasing it until you can pull the fabric through the largest part of the knot.

Tip to remove the tie:

 

Avoid rubbing or grabbing the fabric as you pull it through the knot. Too much tension damages the thread and can damage even the best of ties.

 

To remove your tie well, you only need to spend 2.8 seconds each day and it is the difference between a piece that lasts for years and another that breaks down quickly.

 

HOW TO STORE YOUR TIES

A quality tie is a good investment both economically and in style.

And you wouldn't snap a wad of bills into the sock drawer, would you? Well, the same goes for your ties. Treat them right and they'll last longer than those socks.

The key is to store them so that wrinkles have a chance to smooth out. This usually happens after 3 days. And this is another good reason why you need another great tie!

2 ways to store ties so they are smooth and wrinkle free:

• • Hang them up.

• • Roll them up.

HANG THEM

If you've ever used a tie hanger, then you may have already noticed that ties tend to slide off and pile up together at one end.

The hangers are for clothes and tie racks, for ties.

The tie racks are hung on the wall or on the closet rod. You don't need to spend a fortune on one, but keep in mind that this investment will help protect your other investment … ties.

ROLL THEM UP

Rolling ties is the low-cost storage solution .

You can buy special boxes for ties or put them in a drawer with separate compartments for each tie. You can also place them in a drawer without putting anything on top of them.

HOW TO ROLL YOUR TIE IN 3 STEPS

• • Fold the tie to half its length and hold it with one hand.

• • Lay the tie face down on a flat surface.

• • Roll the tie carefully into your hand.

The key is not to get too tight when rolling them.

Your ties should return to their normal shape when unrolled in no time. If you press too hard, they could take a curved shape forever.

Rolling ties is also the best way to prepare them for a trip, because folding them can cause them to wrinkle.

Storage trick

 

Knitted ties (as well as all those with square ends) and silk ties must always be rolled up . If you hang them up, especially for long periods of time, they could stretch and the stitches could come loose.

 

HOW TO REMOVE WRINKLES FROM YOUR TIE

No matter how careful you are to remove it, or how you store or wear it … wrinkles will appear sooner or later.

Good ties have a naturally curved and bulky shape and do not need to be ironed in the same way as a shirt, but rather with steam ironing. For best results, use the following temperatures:

• • Silk tie : Low temperature

• • Wool tie : Medium temperature

• • Cotton tie : High temperature

• • Polyester tie : Low temperature

Most common wrinkles can be removed simply by hanging your tie in the bathroom while taking a steamy shower.

Stubborn wrinkles can be removed with the help of this method, a steam iron, and your hand:

5 STEPS TO REMOVE WRINKLES FROM YOUR TIE

• • Lay a clean cotton cloth on an ironing board.

• • Lay the tie face down on the cloth and wrap it around it.

• • Apply the steam from the iron to small parts of the tie, starting with the short end.

• • Use your hand and medium pressure to stretch the tie.

• • Flip the tie over and repeat the process on the other side.

Check frequently for color loss, which can happen if the material gets too hot. For this reason, it is important to review the work section by section and start at the least visible end.

If you notice a loss of color, stop immediately and lower the temperature. Wait until the fabric has cooled down (1 to 2 minutes) before continuing.

After ironing both sides, hang the tie to dry and cool.

If the wrinkles are very deep, it may be necessary to take the tie to the dry cleaner. Make sure they don't press the tie in a mechanical way so they don't crush it and destroy its little natural curve. Instead, suggest that they use a manual iron.

 

Trick to apply steam

 

Remove all stains completely before steaming, as the steam may cause them to set and then become impossible to remove.

 

The best way to avoid wrinkles is to remove your tie the right way and store it properly. That is the easiest.

 

HOW TO CLEAN A TIE

It must be recognized that the ties are in a privileged place to receive the food that is falling. They are like a magnet for pasta sauce.

Did you just drop something? The best thing is that you jump into action quickly, like Superman. The sooner you take care of a stain, the easier it will be to get rid of.

WHAT TO DO IF FOOD OR DRINK GETS ON THE TIE

• • Remove as much food as you can with a spoon or blunt knife.

• • Try blotting up the liquid or oil with a napkin.

• • Use a damp cloth to remove (without rubbing) the stain. Sparkling water works particularly well.

The most difficult stains require special attention. 

Greasy stains : Put talcum powder or cornmeal on top of them for a few hours.

Ink : Let the ink stain dry before attempting to remove it. Putting water on the wet ink can make it run and grow. Once it has dried, remove the stain with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and a cloth. Let it dry and repeat the procedure until the stain is gone.

Red wine : Take your tie off immediately and pour a large amount of table salt over the stain until it is absorbed. Don't rub the salt, just leave it on the stain. Next, remove the remainder of the stain using the same rubbing alcohol method we've seen for ink.

CLEANING SILK TIES

We suggest you take the tie to the dry cleaner. If you use one of the methods we mentioned before, be careful and test a part of the tie that is not visible before launching.

Problems such as water stains or loss of color can occur with silk, especially if the fabric is washed incorrectly or left under water for more than 5 minutes. To avoid water stains, wipe only the area of the stain by dabbing it with a clean damp cloth.

Always let it air dry and do not wriggle or twist your tie.

CLEANING WOOL TIES

Washing wool ties is a delicate process and could cause them to suffer if done incorrectly. This means that they can become rough and even shrink if subjected to shaking or temperature changes in the water.

We recommend that you take the dirty tie to a dry cleaner.

CLEANING COTTON AND POLYESTER TIES

If you get some food on your cotton or polyester tie, you can wash it by hand.

To remove a dry stain …

• • Use a wet washcloth and wipe the stain in one direction.

• • Don't scrub it vigorously from top to bottom.

• • Apply low to medium pressure and look at the wipe every so often to see if the stain comes off (from dirt on the wipe).

How to hand wash a cotton or polyester tie:

• Fill a sink with cold or warm water.
• Add a tablespoon of detergent.

• Dip the tie in the water and stir it a bit.

• Leave it submerged for 10 minutes.

• Take out his tie, empty the sink, and fill it with cold, clean water.

• Dip the tie in the water to rinse off all soap residue (repeat until no soap remains and the water runs clear).

• Press a little with a towel to remove excess water.

• Hang to dry.

Cleaning tips

 

Avoid bleach because it can transform even the whitest cotton or polyester ties into a yellow rag.

 

Washers and dryers are too harsh for your delicate ties. If you put your tie in the washing machine, it will wrinkle and the delicately folded layers and lining of a well-made product will be ruined.

 

The only way to avoid wrinkles, folds, or stains is to never wear ties.

As it is impossible, the next best thing you can do is prepare well with all this information to minimize problems.

Taking care of your ties is surely not as difficult as you thought, and the results far outweigh the effort and time spent. Think of your tie as an investment so you'll be more likely to take it off carefully, roll it up before putting it away, and eat carefully.

Everyone gets a stain sooner or later, so don't stress. There's always a way to get it off … or if you don't cover up the problem with a tie clip and call it style.

Check our other related post also : How To Tie A Tie Knot : 30 Ways To Tie A Knot (Steps in Images)

FAQ

CAN TIES BE PUT IN THE WASHING MACHINE?

Washing machines are tough and ties are delicate. If you put your tie in the washing machine, it will come out wrinkled and the delicately folded layers of well-made products will spoil.

And the same goes for dryers! Dryers damage the lining and lining, so don't even think about using them!

CAN I TAKE THE TIE TO THE DRY CLEANER?

Yes. The best thing you can do to clean certain fabrics like silk and wool is to take them to the dry cleaner.

But keep in mind that if you put very strong pressure on them (as in the case of mechanical presses), the fibers can be spoiled and that will destroy the tie. Make sure the store uses a hand press to keep the edges rounded.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY TIE?

You should only clean it when it gets dirty or stained. The key to having a great tie is to keep it clean and stain-free for as long as possible.

HOW DO I REMOVE SMOKE FROM MY TIE WITHOUT WASHING IT?

If your tie is clean but smells of smoke, you can hang it in the air to cool it.

Ideally, put it outdoors, but avoid direct sunlight, as this would spoil its color.

You can also hang it indoors near green plants. Leafy plants are great for absorbing chemicals and cleaning the air .

HOW CAN I WEAR A TRAVEL TIE WITHOUT WRINKLING?

The best way to transport a tie on a trip is to roll it up.

Hold the small side and wrap it around your hand, but let it hang slightly. Place the rolled tie in a sealable plastic bag, then carefully tuck it inside one of the shoes in the suitcase (but keep it clean, please!). The shoe will protect the tie from the jolts you experience when going from one airport to the next.

Take a nice hot shower when you get to the hotel and hang up your tie in the bathroom. Let steam and gravity take care of wrinkles.

HOW TO GIFT WRAP A TIE?

Roll it up like you're packing it for a trip. After rolling it up, find a box your size. We advise you to wrap the box with a nice paper (that always looks good). And don't forget the card!