How to Care For a Tie

The right tie is the perfect finishing touch and can undoubtably elevate your look. Ties also make your wardrobe far more versatile…you can mix and match with shirts to give you different looks. That’s why it is so important to care for your ties properly, an unkempt tie will make you sloppy, no matter how nice the rest of look is. 

Today we’ve got everything you need to know about how to care for all your ties. Follow these instructions and you’re ties will look great every day.

1. Everyday Tie Maintenance

Every evening when you get home from work, though you probably want to get your tie off as quickly as possible, taking a minute to remove your tie properly can make all the difference. Do NOT pull the thin end of your tie through the knot, or else you run the risk of ruining the tie’s shape. Instead, take off your tie by simply following the tie-tying steps in reverse. Another no-no is leaving the knots in your ties when not in use. This is a sure way to create permanent creases in your tie that will leave it looking disheveled and limp.

2. Storing Your Ties

Ties are delicate and easily disfigured. After you are finished properly removing your tie, hang it up immediately to let the creases fall out. 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 to boot.
*The exception to this rule is knit ties. These ties fare better being rolled up loosely and stored, so that the knit doesn’t stretch out and lose its shape.

3. Cleaning Your Ties

Unlike regular clothing, it is best to only clean your ties when they are dirty rather than after each wear. Washing ties is a risky game, but if you are careful, attentive to the kind of fabric the tie is made out of, and patient, everything should go smoothly! While some people will tell you that certain ties can be machine washed and machine dried, we believe that the more careful you are, the better. All ties should be either hand washed or dry cleaned, depending on the material. Air drying your ties is also the safest way to go, so that the lining isn’t damaged or weakened. Check out all the specifics for each material below!

Fabrics and Preferred Cleaning Method

  • Silk: One of the world’s most luxurious materials, silk is a natural protein fiber produced by insects and cultivated most commonly in China and India. It is one of the most coveted fabrics in the world, and also one of the most difficult to clean. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done!
    Washing: Dry Clean Only  Drying: If your tie gets wet accidentally hang it up to dry. Do not us the machine dryer.  Iron/Steam: Steaming is best. To Iron: place a towel beneath your tie and another slightly damp towel on the. Run an over it on the lowest setting, do not remove the tie from the stack until the towels are completely dry.  Caution: Do not use bleach. If the tie gets wet, do not wring or twist.
  • Wool: Wool is a natural fiber produced by sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. Wool is very soft and highly insulating, but it requires a decent amount of care to remain in mint condition.
    Washing: Dry clean only. Do not dry clean until absolutely needed.  Drying: If your tie gets wet accidentally hang it up to dry. Do not us the machine dryer. Iron/Steam: Do not iron. Steam wrinkles out only when necessary.  Caution: Do not use hot water. Do not store in plastic. Do not store in sunlight. Do not use bleach.
  • Linen: Linen is a fiber made from the flax plant. Though labor-intensive to make, the fabric is extremely light and breathable. Linen is a go-to fabric for hot weather, and are an ideal choice for spring and summer. Linen is extremely susceptible to wrinkles, so extra care should be taken to hang linen ties on a tie rack whenever they are not being cleaned or worn.
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water.  Drying: Press out excess water with a towel. Do not wring or twist the tie to remove water. Hang up to dry.  Iron/Steam: Press when damp or use iron the steam setting.  Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach.
  • Cotton: Cotton fibers are derived from the cotton plant. Cotton is very durable and dries quickly. However, it also wrinkles easily and will shrink when introduced to heat, so be careful!
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water.  Drying: Do not wring or twist the tie to remove water. Hang up to dry.  Iron/Steam: Steam or iron on high. Use the steam setting on your iron.  Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach.
  • Seersucker: Seersucker is a fabric that was originally created in India and named for its unique texture, said to resemble the smoothness of milk and the roughness of sugar. The fabric is lightweight, typically made from cotton, and is easy to care for.
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water.  Drying: Press out excess water with a towel. Do not wring or twist the tie to remove water. Hang up to dry.  Iron/Steam: Steam or iron on low setting. Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach.
  • Knit: Knit ties are crafted with 100% durable microfibers, and give any outfit a unique, contemporary, and classic edge.
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water.  Drying: Press out excess water with a towel. Do not wring, stretch or twist the tie to remove water. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Iron/Steam: Steam if necessary. Do not us iron.   Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach. Do not hang dry, this will stretch out the tie.
  • Microfiber: Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is very elastic and known for its moisture-wicking capabilities. Microfiber ties are very soft to the touch, and similar to silk–but much easier to clean!
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water. Drying: Press out excess water with a towel. Do not wring or twist the tie to remove water. Hang up to dry Iron/Steam: Steam or iron on low setting. Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach.
  • Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic material that is similar to cotton but even more durable. It is wrinkle-resistant, water-resistant, quick to dry, and it will not shrink.
    Washing: Hand wash gently in cold or warm water. Drying: Press out excess water with a towel. Do not wring or twist the tie to remove water. Hang up to dry. Iron/Steaming: Steaming is best, or use iron on low setting.  Caution: Do not wring or twist the tie. Do not bleach. Make sure there are no stains in the before you iron as the heat of the iron can set the stain.
  • Faux Leather: Faux leather is cheaper, more durable, and more versatile than genuine leather. It provides a very similar texture to that of real leather, making it a more cost-effective alternative.
    Washing: Wipe clean only. Baby wipes work well. Do not wash or submerge in water. Do not dry clean.  Drying: Hang up to dry.  Iron/Steam: Do not steam or iron.  Caution: Do not use heat on the tie. Do not use bleach.
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