Between spilled drinks, plates of pasta and rogue paper shredders, it's amazing ties make it back to your closet in one piece. But when they do, you want to make sure to take care of them properly. Which is why we sought counsel from Andy Tarshis of New York's Tiecrafters, a one-stop shop that's been tailoring, cleaning and restoring neckwear for 50 years.
Your silk ties should always hang in the closet. Gravity will naturally remove most of the wrinkles.
Knit ties should be kept in a drawer, folded in half and rolled. If you hang a knit tie, it will ultimately stretch out.
Hanging the tie is a good start. If that doesn't do the trick, you can use a steamer lightly, or try the puff of steam from an iron to ease out wrinkles. But never press it.
For a small stain, your best bet is to simply blot it with a damp, not a wet, cloth. For something larger, take it to a professional.
Tiecrafters, 252 West 29th Street, New York; 212.629.5800
Tarshis currently owns more than 250 ties.
