How to Treat or Remove Tie Stains

One of the moments every tie-wearing guy worries about is to get food or beverages spilled on your favorite tie.

That is because chances are 9 out of 10 that that stain permanently ruins your tie as the majority of ties is made of silk, a very unforgiving type of cloth when it comes into contact with coffee, Coke or ketchup!

As silk is a very delicate material, applying stain-removers will only make matters worse. The only thing that I recommend you do is to take your stained tie to your local dry cleaner and ask them for help.

While dry-cleaning will remove the stain in most every case, there is one major downside to it: The shiny look and feel of your tie will be gone, too!

Therefore, really make every effort to protect your tie during meals, e.g., by covering it using a large napkin or removing it if appropriate.

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Never treat tie stains with stain-remover! Instead, take the stained tie to your local dry cleaner and let them see to the problem. Keep in mind, though, that while dry-cleaning removes the stain it will also destroy your tie's shiny look and feel.

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Removing a Stain

Steps:

1.   Act immediately.

2.   Resist the temptation to expose a silk tie to water.

3.   Use a white paper towel to dab a small amount of stain remover onto the stain.

4.   Blot with the paper towel.

5.   Have the tie professionally dry-cleaned if you haven't gotten rid of the stain.

6.   Keep in mind that a stain remover may discolor a silk tie slightly. Even dry-cleaning may harm your tie.

The Not So Good News -

The sad truth is that buying a new tie is probably your best bet.