What’s the safest (and best) way to clean my fine silk and wool ties?
An advise column that appeared in a recent issue of Esquire Magazine theorized that the “best” way to clean your fine ties was to:
(a) blot — not rub — the stain(s) with a napkin or paper towel,
(b) pre-treat the stains with specific product(s) and
(c) hand wash the tie with other specific product(s).
I agree with (a). I vehemently disagree with (b) and (c).
What’s the basis for my disagreement? I see the results of DIY tie cleaning disasters from all around the USA and Canada on an almost daily basis. Extrapolate that over a period of almost 30 years and that represents thousands of potentially ruined ties.
In this post, I argue that, when it comes to cleaning your fine ties, the first rule is to ignore substantially all internet-based advise.
Most of that advise is not based on experience — the actual cleaning and restoration of thousands of ties. Rather, the advise appears to be contrived: grab a few ties, stain the ties with various substances, apply specific “stain removal” products to be promoted (the true objective of the article) and write a “how to” article on the outstanding results achieved.
The second rule is to consult a true quality cleaner who specializes in the cleaning and restoration of fine ties.
Read More...