If you want to invest well in your wardrobe, you not only have to buy the best products but also care for them too.
There’s nothing worse than an expensive item deteriorating over time by stains or wrinkles. This will leave you with a frustrating habit of replacing it. Often this is caused by laziness.
Take a look at some of my easy tips below to ensure that your neckwear enjoys longevity and maintains that amazing shine.
How To Store Them
- Ties wrinkle easily so don’t toss them aside or fold them or even leave them on the spare chair where everything piles up (yes, we do all have THAT chair)
- Silk ties are delicate not just in fabric but also to light exposure. Leaving them in direct contact will, over time, fade and lose it’s natural shine. I would recommend storing them in a wardrobe or chest of draws.
- Simply, store them loosely rolled or hung up.
- Roll ties from the small tip first and keep the furl very loose to avoid creasing.
- Hanging them takes up considerably less space fits naturally in your clothes rail. A tie rack/hanger is a cheap investment that pays in the long run.
How To Untie Them
- Always untie your silk ties when finished wearing them. Leaving a knot in such delicate fabric will leave permanent creases that over time, make it considerably limp which in turns makes it hard to create a powerful knot.
- Do not take any shortcuts when you untie your tie. It literally takes a few more seconds to do it properly. You can achieve this by reversing the method to tie it.
How To Remove Wrinkles
- No matter how hard you try, wrinkles will appear over time where the knot is made because silk is a delicate fabric. Smaller knots will come out by naturally hanging them and letting gravity do the work.
- More stubborn wrinkles require steam to remove them. A hand steamer or fancy equivalent is not required. I use my everyday iron on a low temperature along with a pressing pad. The steam helps to relax the fibres and fall back into place naturally. A high temperature or direct iron onto material will cause more damage which may be irreversible. Honestly, it is the small details that matter.
- If this fails, I would recommend using a professional dry cleaning service to assist further.
How To Pack Them
- I would recommend investing in a tie case when travelling. These are relatively cheap if you look for them online. They are the best way to transport them as they are held flat and secure.
- If this takes up too much room in your luggage, you can roll them up gently into four and store them in another piece of luggage – inside a shoe or tie jacket works well.
- Upon arrival, remove your tie and let it hang overnight before wearing it. This allows the smaller wrinkles to relax.
How To Clean Them
- As soon as the stain is noticed, you need to act quickly and remove it.
- Any stains should be blotted or dabbed. Rubbing it will cause more harm and may even spread the stain.
- If the stain contains a water base, dip a clean cloth in sparkling water or tonic water and gently dab away what you can.
- Talcum powder or corn starch is advised for grease or oil stains. You will need to leave it on overnight to absorb as much of it as possible before brushing the rest away with a clean soft cloth. The process might need to be repeated if the stain is tough.
- For more serious stains, a professional dry cleaner may be able to assist. They should have a range of gentle chemicals available
George Neale 