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Necktie Storage and Care Tips
Ties are the
most perishable item in a man's wardrobe, and as such
they should be cared for appropriately.
With proper care, your neckties can last almost forever.
And if you've chosen them with a proper eye toward
proportion, there's no reason you can't wear them at
least as long as that.
Here are a few general rules for taking care of your
neckties:
General
The best way
to keep your ties in presentable condition is to have
enough of them so you're not wearing them out too fast.
This is also a less expensive way to give depth to your
wardrobe. As a rule of thumb you should have three or
four ties that go with each suit or sport outfit. Keep
the ties hung with the suit they go with and rotate the
ties through with each wearing of that outfit. Give your
ties at least two or three days rest before wearing them
again to allow wrinkles to hang out.
Un-tying
Care should be taken when un-tying ties in order to
maintain appearance and promote longevity.
No matter how convenient it seems to slip the small end
out of the knot, remember that you are significantly
decreasing the longevity of the tie by using this
method; always unknot your ties when taking it off by
reversing the knot itself (this reversal of steps will
untwist the fibers of the material and lining and will
help alleviate light creases) , never slip it over your
head or unravel by pulling on the small end.
Always un-knot your
ties when you're not wearing them, leaving them knotted
will cause permanent creasing.
Storage
Tie-hangers that hold a
single tie like you see in many shops are a good way to
hang your ties with the outfit they go with (available
at easily affordable prices).
Don't leave the knots in as
they will permanently crease the fabric
Remember, however you hang
you ties, to move them occasionally to prevent
unnecessary and unsightly creasing.
Hang your ties at night
after wearing, regardless of material.
Silk Ties are suited to
hanging storage
Knitted or crocheted ties
should not be hung but laid flat or rolled up instead
and then placed in a drawer.
When traveling, utilize one
of these methods to ensure your necktie arrives in good
condition.
When packing, fold the tie
gently into four and slip it in the inside pocket of
your suit jacket or alternatively, roll your necktie and
place it into a small box and tuck those boxes safely in
the corners of your luggage.
Upon arrival, hang the
necktie on the washroom door before you shower, the
steam will do wonders for relaxing the fabric.
Crease Removal
Rolling the tie up from the
narrow end first and leaving it rolled for a day or two
will remove most wrinkles.
To do this, put the two ends
of the tie together and roll the tie around your finger
like a belt. Slip it off your finger and leave it rolled
up overnight. Also try not to make the knots too tight.
Re-shaping/Conditioning
Because the favorite ties
get the most use, it is highly recommended that you
purchase a small hand steamer and gently steam away the
wrinkles that usually form around the fabric where the
knot is made.
This should be done at least every two months - and that
is assuming that the necktie is worn about eight times
in that period taking care of your tie collection will
provide many wonderful years of elegance for you to
enjoy these prized possessions.
Cleaning Ties
First thing to understand is that most cleaners can't
clean a tie. If the methods mentioned here don't work,
retire the tie. Most experts agree that one ought not to
send a tie out to be dry-cleaned. While dry-cleaners may
be able to remove spots, once they press the tie, they
will compress the lining and dull the luster of the
silk. Pressing ties is not recommended as the overall
appearance will be diminished as the ?roll' at each edge
becomes a ?crease'.
Water Spots
Let the spot dry, then rub
the small end of the tie or a separate piece of the same
fabric or material on the spot or very gently scraping
the surface with a fingernail.
Other Stains
For simple stains simply dip
a clean cloth napkin in a little seltzer or club soda
and then dab away what you can.
For tougher stains apply
steam from an iron with out touching the iron to the
material or hold the tie over a boiling kettle. Then use
a dry or powdered spot remover following instructions on
the container.
More serious stains will
often respond to a spot remover such as carbon
tetrachloride
For anything greasy,
sprinkle a little talcum powder on the spot as soon as
possible and allow it to absorb what it can. After a few
hours, brush off the remaining residue with a clean soft
cloth
Material Specific Tips
NATURAL SILK
- Continuous exposure to
sunlight leads to yellowing of white silk and decreases
the silks strength.
- Remember that silk fabrics
get damaged by the sweat.
- Make sure to iron at low
temperature without steam and always on the back side of
the necktie!
POLYESTER SILK
- Make sure to store these
ties in a dry storage place as polyester silk is
especially sensitive to dampness and mould may
irreparably damage the polyester silk necktie.
- It is also prone to insect
attacks by a silvery insect that is similar to the
clothes-moths but without wings. Put a suitable
insecticide into your wardrobe.
- You can iron polyester
silk ties at a little higher temperature than silk, but
without steam. Don't forget that very high temperature
may melt the polyester fibers. Of course always iron the
back side of the necktie!
WOOL
- The tie made of wool is
the only tie that could be dry-cleaned if necessary.
Manual washing isn't recommended because wool shortens
at washing.
- Don't forget that the
moths love wool, that's why, put a suitable insecticide
into your wardrobe.
- Ironing is to be done at
the temperature recommended to the wool. You may use
steam. Of course as always, iron the back side of the
necktie!
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