Tie cleaning in Tomball, TX

Why ties and scarves need careful cleaning

A tie looks simple but is carefully built. The silk is cut on the bias, diagonally across the weave, so it drapes and knots well, and it wraps around a wool or polyester interlining held by a loose slip stitch. Water can shrink the shell and the interlining at different rates, leaving the tie twisted or rippled. The edges are meant to stay rolled, so a hot iron pressed flat on them crushes the shape. Ties hang right under your chin, so they catch food, coffee and skin oil. Scarves vary: silk twill and chiffon can water spot, wool and cashmere scarves felt if washed warm, and fringe tangles in a washer.

Reading the care label

Many ties have no care label at all, or simply say Dry clean. Treat an unlabeled silk tie as dry clean. Scarves usually list the fiber. A silk scarf may say Dry clean or Hand wash cold, and wool or cashmere scarves often say Hand wash cold, dry flat. Dry clean only on a printed silk scarf usually means the dyes are not stable in water.

Before you bring them in

• Show where the stain is and say what it was. Most tie stains land on the wide front blade.
• Bring ties untied. A tie left knotted for days holds deep creases.
• Mention hand rolled edges on a silk scarf, which should not be pressed flat.
• Bring a matching pocket square along if it is cut from the same silk, so the two stay alike.

Care between cleanings

• Untie your tie fully at the end of the day instead of sliding the knot loose and pulling it over your head.
• Hang ties on a rack or roll them loosely in a drawer so knot wrinkles relax.
• Give a tie a day off after wearing so its creases fall out on their own.
• Fold wool and cashmere scarves rather than hanging them by the ends, which stretches them.
• Keep fine scarves away from hook and loop fasteners and rough zippers that snag the yarn.