Tie Silk Necktie
You've invested good money in your fine silk neckties, because your image is important. That means that a mishap at the dinner table or a bobbled hors d'oeuvre at the cocktail party can be not only upsetting, but costly. Replacing a tie is going to put a dent in your billfold.
Many experts will tell you that any attempt to clean a silk tie is a waste of time. To be fair, that may prove to be the case in many instances, but the fact is that buying a new tie may not be a practical answer for men who dress well on a budget. Besides, if that stained tie happens to be the one your wife bought you for your last birthday, there may be more at stake than your pocketbook. If you're brave enough to try, there are a few simple cleaning methods that have proven at least occasionally successful, and may save money, or your neck. Either way, if the tie is on its way to the trash can, what have you got to lose?
The first rule of cleaning silk is that water is your enemy. Avoid wetting the tie, at least initially. Instead, if you can act quickly, before the spot dries, try drawing the stain out with an absorbent. Plain talcum powder sprinkled on a necktie laid flat and left overnight has salvaged some neckties. Be careful to use a powder that's free of color or perfumes. Brush the powder off later with a soft towel.
If the stain has dried, or can't be absorbed as above, there's probably no alternative than to use a bit of liquid. There are many commercial stain removers available, such as Woolite® and you may want to try one, sparingly and gently. Before pouring the cleaner onto the front of the tie, try a tiny sport on the back of the necktie. Check that the solvent in fact doesn't hurt the fabric. If you can't see any discoloration or color fading, proceed to the stain on the front of the tie. Simply dab a little of the cleaner directly on the spot. Try blotting the stain away with a paper towel after allowing the cleaner a few seconds to work. Be aware that either of these methods or the application of any liquid may cause the color your neckties to change in the affected area.
A professional dry cleaner may be worth a try. Keep in mind that there will probably be no guarantee and that your tie may just as easily suffer damage in the process. You may want to specifically request that they do not press your silk tie, to preserve its softness. Also, ask them about their cleaning process. Fabric damaging chemicals, that will get the stain out, but ruin the shape of your tie, must be avoided.
If all of the above fail, here's one more radical and perhaps final suggestion. It's time consuming and scary. Are you ready? Prepare to embrace the enemy! That's right, we're about to tell you to get that tie you've been protecting very, very wet:
Start with one of the commercial stain removers. Dab the cleaner full-strength on the stain and gently rub. Before the solution dries, immerse the tie in a lukewarm bath of water with a small amount of the same cleaner. (Did we mention this method isn't for the faint of heart?) Gently agitate it by hand for a few minutes. Avoid scrunching or scrubbing. Rinse gently with more lukewarm water. Roll the now puckered tie in an absorbent towel but be careful not to stretch the fabric. After about 12 hours, lay the tie flat on another towel to dry over the next few days. With luck, you may have saved the tie.
Remember, none of the methods above are guaranteed to work and any of them may actually cause further damage. Make sure you're ready to take the risk before you start. The best method to remove stains on your expensive silk ties is the avoidance of the stain in first place.
Hendrik Pohl is the owner and founder Ties-Necktie.com an online retailer offering a wide range of quality handmade silk ties, as well as useful dress code tips for men, men's fashion advice, necktie knot instructions, and more.
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