Comments on: How to Clean Silk Ties http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/ How to clean anything and everything! Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:15:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ken Hardy http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-73364 Ken Hardy Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:10:18 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-73364 For years I have had great success removing spots from silk ties using contact lens cleaning solution--not the "all in one--cleaner + soaking solution + saline" type but the kind that was used by everyone with soft and hard lenses back in the '80's and '90's. Not terribly easy to find but still out there. 1. Spread a thick, dry terry cloth trowel on the floor. 2. Squirt the lens cleaner on the tie to cover the spot. 3. Lay the tie smoothly on the towel and fold the towel over so that the tie is sandwiched between two layers of towel. 4. Not kidding here--stand on and jump up and down on the towel where the tie is. The pressure forces all the cleaning solution into the towel bringing the stain with it. Remove the tie and spread it flat on a smooth surface to completely dry if necessary. For years I have had great success removing spots from silk ties using contact lens cleaning solution–not the “all in one–cleaner + soaking solution + saline” type but the kind that was used by everyone with soft and hard lenses back in the ’80′s and ’90′s. Not terribly easy to find but still out there.

1. Spread a thick, dry terry cloth trowel on the floor.

2. Squirt the lens cleaner on the tie to cover the spot.

3. Lay the tie smoothly on the towel and fold the towel over so that the tie is sandwiched between two layers of towel.

4. Not kidding here–stand on and jump up and down on the towel where the tie is. The pressure forces all the cleaning solution into the towel bringing the stain with it. Remove the tie and spread it flat on a smooth surface to completely dry if necessary.

]]> By: Cliff http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-71224 Cliff Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:42:27 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-71224 "I’ll begin carrying around stain remover for “my man” when he starts carrying tampons for me." I suspect you will never have to worry about this. “I’ll begin carrying around stain remover for “my man” when he starts carrying tampons for me.”

I suspect you will never have to worry about this.

]]> By: Jorge http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-70862 Jorge Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:02:45 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-70862 The alcohol tip works wonders. Just saved a $150 Burberry tie from years at the back of my closet! I didn't have a blow drier but a fan on really high setting worked amazingly. Thanks! The alcohol tip works wonders. Just saved a $150 Burberry tie from years at the back of my closet! I didn’t have a blow drier but a fan on really high setting worked amazingly. Thanks!

]]> By: simon dobbs http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-70316 simon dobbs Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:32:52 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-70316 Moxamomma.... it is entirely possible that a weak solution of carbonated water does not damage silk in the same way as tap water. Silk is a protein with tertiary structure held together by hydrogen bonding between amines and carboxylate groups- water disrupts the hydrogen bonding by bonding to the groups itself. Changing the pH of the water may well modify the hydrogen bonding nature in silk so that it is not disrupted. Moxamomma…. it is entirely possible that a weak solution of carbonated water does not damage silk in the same way as tap water. Silk is a protein with tertiary structure held together by hydrogen bonding between amines and carboxylate groups- water disrupts the hydrogen bonding by bonding to the groups itself. Changing the pH of the water may well modify the hydrogen bonding nature in silk so that it is not disrupted.

]]> By: Moxamomma42 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-68601 Moxamomma42 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:36:03 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-68601 I am going to try suggestion posted here, but first, answer this question: If water should NEVER be put on silk ties( I read online) then how can SELTZER aka Carbonated WATER be safely used to clean a silk tie? Need an answer please. Thank you. I am going to try suggestion posted here, but first, answer this question: If water should NEVER be put on silk ties( I read online) then how can SELTZER aka Carbonated WATER be safely used to clean a silk tie? Need an answer please. Thank you.

]]> By: Steve http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-65501 Steve Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:03:47 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-65501 RE: I thought this kind of sexism was dead.... Herzco : Not everything is sexist, asking the girlfriend or wife to carry the stain remover in her purse has nothing to do with sexism. My girlfriend generally carries many emergency items in her purse. It is a matter of being practical. Most men do not carry a bag, storing these items in our wallets is not an option. My girlfriend would gladly carry this item for me. Just as I would gladly carry a pad or tampon for her in my Jacket pocket. Assisting your life partner is not sexism, its called a healthy relationship. By the way I still open doors and pull out chairs, also not sexism, it's called basic manners. It is a shame that in this day and age simple co-operation can be viewed as sexist. No wonder so many of today's relationships do not work out. Truly Sad RE: I thought this kind of sexism was dead….
Herzco : Not everything is sexist, asking the girlfriend or wife to carry the stain remover in her purse has nothing to do with sexism. My girlfriend generally carries many emergency items in her purse. It is a matter of being practical. Most men do not carry a bag, storing these items in our wallets is not an option. My girlfriend would gladly carry this item for me. Just as I would gladly carry a pad or tampon for her in my Jacket pocket. Assisting your life partner is not sexism, its called a healthy relationship. By the way I still open doors and pull out chairs, also not sexism, it’s called basic manners. It is a shame that in this day and age simple co-operation can be viewed as sexist. No wonder so many of today’s relationships do not work out.

Truly Sad

]]> By: Paul http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-50250 Paul Mon, 03 May 2010 12:52:03 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-50250 I first used alcohol and powder to remove stains from two rather expensive silk ties. It did not work. I already knew taking them to the dry cleaners would not work. As a last resort, I bought some club soda and wet the areas thoroughly. The club soda fizzed a little when I poured it on. After some light rubbing, the stains disappeared. I was skeptical so I poured on more club soda. Then I let them dry naturally. Now the ties are dry and there's no sign of the stains. I just saved about $150 worth of my favorite ties. Amazing. I first used alcohol and powder to remove stains from two rather expensive silk ties. It did not work. I already knew taking them to the dry cleaners would not work. As a last resort, I bought some club soda and wet the areas thoroughly. The club soda fizzed a little when I poured it on. After some light rubbing, the stains disappeared. I was skeptical so I poured on more club soda. Then I let them dry naturally. Now the ties are dry and there’s no sign of the stains. I just saved about $150 worth of my favorite ties. Amazing.

]]> By: Joe http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-32670 Joe Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:08:13 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-32670 After 2 attempts of cleaning a stain at a reputable dry cleaner, I tried Sonia's rubbing alcohol suggestion which worked great. Warning, though - on my stain I needed to rub and soak it for it to lighten, which it did, but my repeated process also lightened the base tie as well - the tie can now be used as my wife could not find the stain nor the lightened area upon inspection until I told her where it was. So the idea works GREAT - but I did this "extreme" by soaking and rubbing really hard five (5) times. Thanks Sonia - your idea saved my tie to be usable as a tie and not as dust cloth. After 2 attempts of cleaning a stain at a reputable dry cleaner, I tried Sonia’s rubbing alcohol suggestion which worked great. Warning, though – on my stain I needed to rub and soak it for it to lighten, which it did, but my repeated process also lightened the base tie as well – the tie can now be used as my wife could not find the stain nor the lightened area upon inspection until I told her where it was. So the idea works GREAT – but I did this “extreme” by soaking and rubbing really hard five (5) times. Thanks Sonia – your idea saved my tie to be usable as a tie and not as dust cloth.

]]> By: Bill http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-31436 Bill Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:51:31 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-31436 I couldn't get to this tie for 5 hours. When I got home I dabbed the stain lightly and repeatedly with spray and wash with plain white paper towel. Knowing that you can't touch or do anything else with fine silk and knowing that this treated area would show a shadow where the spray and wash dried, I proceeded to spray the entire length of the front of the tie till it all was wet. In the morning I had a dry tie, stain perfectly removed and the tie was only slightly darker than original. If it were new you wouldn't know the difference. Just a slight color change. I couldn’t get to this tie for 5 hours. When I got home I dabbed the stain lightly and repeatedly with spray and wash with plain white paper towel. Knowing that you can’t touch or do anything else with fine silk and knowing that this treated area would show a shadow where the spray and wash dried, I proceeded to spray the entire length of the front of the tie till it all was wet. In the morning I had a dry tie, stain perfectly removed and the tie was only slightly darker than original. If it were new you wouldn’t know the difference. Just a slight color change.

]]> By: Herzco http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-31299 Herzco Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:15:51 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-31299 "If you are not in the habit of carrying paper towels or stain remover with you, get your wife or girlfriend to carry them in her purse or stash them someplace convenient." Right. I'll begin carrying around stain remover for "my man" when he starts carrying tampons for me. “If you are not in the habit of carrying paper towels or stain remover with you, get your wife or girlfriend to carry them in her purse or stash them someplace convenient.”

Right. I’ll begin carrying around stain remover for “my man” when he starts carrying tampons for me.

]]> By: Sue http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-7863 Sue Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:47:20 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-7863 I was skeptical, but Sonia's tip above using alcohol and a blow dryer really worked for me on a milk stain that ran down the entire length of my son's light colored silk tie. JUST KEEP REPEATING. After the first couple of applications it may not look like it's working, but eventually it will. Hooray! I was skeptical, but Sonia’s tip above using alcohol and a blow dryer really worked for me on a milk stain that ran down the entire length of my son’s light colored silk tie. JUST KEEP REPEATING. After the first couple of applications it may not look like it’s working, but eventually it will. Hooray!

]]> By: Lisa C http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-2386 Lisa C Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:54:15 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-2386 I was looking for tips on how to remove stains from a silk tie tonight and came across this site. I tried the alcohol and blow dryer tip that Sonia posted and it worked perfectly. I purchased a Gucci tie from a thrift store that had a few small set in stains and they are now gone! Thanks Sonia. I was looking for tips on how to remove stains from a silk tie tonight and came across this site. I tried the alcohol and blow dryer tip that Sonia posted and it worked perfectly. I purchased a Gucci tie from a thrift store that had a few small set in stains and they are now gone! Thanks Sonia.

]]> By: Tie-de-spotter http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-1535 Tie-de-spotter Thu, 29 May 2008 20:55:11 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-1535 Better than talc or corn starch is diatomaceous earth or attapulgite, a very fine siliceous powder with a strong affinity for oil and grease. Simply blot the stain with a paper towel and then apply the powder to generously cover the grease stain. Gently pat the powder into the weave of the tie and allow it to sit overnight. The next day, gently brush away the excess powder, and then flick (not pick) at the fabric with your nail to dislodge the powder embedded in the weave. If the grease stain is still present reapply the powder and try again the next day. diatomaceous earth, and attapulgite are both in the class of substances known as Fuller's Earth. Fuller's Earth has been used for centuries to clean and degrease clothing. Better than talc or corn starch is diatomaceous earth or attapulgite, a very fine siliceous powder with a strong affinity for oil and grease. Simply blot the stain with a paper towel and then apply the powder to generously cover the grease stain. Gently pat the powder into the weave of the tie and allow it to sit overnight. The next day, gently brush away the excess powder, and then flick (not pick) at the fabric with your nail to dislodge the powder embedded in the weave. If the grease stain is still present reapply the powder and try again the next day. diatomaceous earth, and attapulgite are both in the class of substances known as Fuller’s Earth. Fuller’s Earth has been used for centuries to clean and degrease clothing.

]]> By: D. Jackson http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-1162 D. Jackson Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:14:18 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-1162 If you notice a grease stain on fabric, try to treat it within a few hours. One thing to try is table salt or baking soda to absorb the oil or grease for about 30 minutes. Then brush off the salt or soda and then dab the spot with alcohol using a towel under the stain to prevent it from spreading. Let it sit for a few minutes then wash it right away. If the stain is still there try alcohol again then wash with Tide liquid detergent or Dawn dish detergent. If you still have a stain then use it as a dust rag. Hopefully this will work but only use this method on washable fabrics. If the fabric is not washable only us alcohol and a blow dryer to prevent water stains. This works well on linen and micro fibers. Good Luck! If you notice a grease stain on fabric, try to treat it within a few hours. One thing to try is table salt or baking soda to absorb the oil or grease for about 30 minutes. Then brush off the salt or soda and then dab the spot with alcohol using a towel under the stain to prevent it from spreading. Let it sit for a few minutes then wash it right away. If the stain is still there try alcohol again then wash with Tide liquid detergent or Dawn dish detergent. If you still have a stain then use it as a dust rag. Hopefully this will work but only use this method on washable fabrics. If the fabric is not washable only us alcohol and a blow dryer to prevent water stains. This works well on linen and micro fibers. Good Luck!

]]> By: Sonia http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-136 Sonia Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:06:40 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/laundry/how-to-clean-silk-ties/#comment-136 I just read elsewhere on the web that some people have very successfully spot cleaned their silk ties using plain old alcohol and a blow dryer to quickly dry the cleaned spot (to prevent a ring). I have NOT tried it myself yet, so do not know first hand how it would work, but its worth a try on a tie that might just be ruined anyway! Best wishes! I just read elsewhere on the web that some people have very successfully spot cleaned their silk ties using plain old alcohol and a blow dryer to quickly dry the cleaned spot (to prevent a ring). I have NOT tried it myself yet, so do not know first hand how it would work, but its worth a try on a tie that might just be ruined anyway! Best wishes!

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