By Mrs. Mathis
Image by Jukka Zitting
The key to cleaning silk ties is to never, ever wash them with water, so if you’re wondering how to wash a silk tie the answer is, with a sense that it is truly a last resort and will probably ruin the tie. On the other hand, if you are simply wondering how to clean a silk tie or how to get a stain off a silk tie, you are in luck, as that can be accomplished pretty easily.
How to Clean a Silk Tie
If you feel that your tie needs cleaning just because it smells of cigarette smoke or some other unpleasant odor, try sprinkling it with a heavy layer of baking soda and leaving it outdoors in a cool, dry place for a day or too. Then shake the baking soda off and brush it with a dry cloth. If this fails to remove the odor, try placing the tie in a sealed bag along with any brand of anti-odor powder. Then air it out again. If this second plan fails, you should probably consult your dry cleaner.
How to Get a Stain off a Silk Tie
The first step is to wipe as much of the stain off as possible, being careful to work from the outside in and to change you cloth often to prevent smearing. When you have removed what you can, sprinkle the remaining stain with corn starch or baby powder and use a very soft, clean brush to gently massage it into the fabric. Shake it off and repeat wiping it until no residue is left.
If this method fails, try treating the stain with a few drops of the dry cleaning solution they sell in most grocery stores. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and blot frequently until the stain is gone and the spot is dry. Otherwise the solution itself may leave a spot.
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