How do you wash silk ties?

[storman113]

Ran across a real nice hand painted silk tie today, but it looked like it has some coffee stains on it.

Read somewhere here of using Oxy to clean ties with a disclaimer not to use on silk! But it didn't say what to use on silk!

Any help?

 

[Idledame]

I used to work in a dry cleaner shop, and if someone brought in a wrinkled up tie they had tried to wash, it was usually hopeless. We couldn't get it to look like new after it was washed. Silk ties are usually dry clean only.

 

[Thunderbolt]

I have hand washed a silk tie after I accidentaly droped it in the toilet! I used a thimble full of woolite in a kitchen sink 1/4 full (I'm an optimist) of tepid water. I let it hang dry in the shower. It was wrikly and puffy afterward but I brought it back with a carefull application of an iron on the silk setting. Please note however that my silk tie was not hand painted!

 

[Abyss]

Here's a website I found when searching for the answer to a similar problem, the website sells hand painted silk scarves but I'm sure that their wash and care page will apply just as well to ties: http://www.texeresilk.com/cms-silk_care_cleaning_washing.html

 

[storman113]

Thank you Abyss,

The link was just what I was looking for.

I'm planning to return to the shop where I saw the tie and pick it up. I'll then apply the process from the link and see how it goes!

 

[bpworks]

Wash Tie????

The very best solution is to find a business that hand cleans neckties. (Google). Regular dry cleaning will usually ruin the lining of the tie & it will not drape or tie correctly.

 

[filfoster]

Hog tied

The very best solution is to find a business that hand cleans neckties. (Google). Regular dry cleaning will usually ruin the lining of the tie & it will not drape or tie correctly.

This has always been my experience with a tie that has been dry cleaned. The spotting of a tie is like an injury to a favorite pet: a horror. I try to get some cold water on it at the table (screw decorum, it's an expensive tie and it's one of my favorites!) and then some dry cleaning fluid I keep at my desk for just such emergencies. And occasional huffing. No, not really.

 

[armod]

I thought dry cleaning was okay if you skipped the pressing.

am I mislead?

 

[filfoster]

Stay Pressed

I thought dry cleaning was okay if you skipped the pressing.

am I mislead?

That may do it. Unfortunately, I omitted those instructions the many years ago I sent mine for a cleaning. I do them myself now, as described above.

 

[bpworks]

Dry Cleaning neckwear

The harsh chemicals used in dry cleaning do damage a fine tie. They break down the fibers in the wool linings & this affects the way a tie "drapes". They never tie the same or dimple like they use to. Results is a $145 tie becomes a $38 tie you don't wear. Fine neckwear is an investment & should be enjpyed for years..

Ideally, you should find a specialist who will take apart handmade ties on request, and after cleaning and ironing will professionally sew the tie back together. Cleaning your necktie too often will damage the silk, thus, smaller stains should be removed with stain removers or ethyl alcohol.

Here is a link to one of the very best in tie cleaning, etc.http://www.tiecrafters.com/cleaning.html

 

[armod]

This has always been my experience with a tie that has been dry cleaned. The spotting of a tie is like an injury to a favorite pet: a horror. I try to get some cold water on it at the table (screw decorum, it's an expensive tie and it's one of my favorites!) and then some dry cleaning fluid I keep at my desk for just such emergencies. And occasional huffing. No, not really.

where do you get the dry cleaning fluid from?

I was never able to find it in australian supermarkets or chemists but haven't even thought of looking since i moved

 

[Johnnysan]

You may also want to take a look at this previous thread!