Caring For a Tie

Proper care of your necktie requires a little bit more than being unceremoniously stuffed into your sock drawer every time you take he thing off, until you are ready to put it on again. Of all the items in your wardrobe, your ties, regardless of the fabric - silk or wool or cotton - are among the most delicate. They need a bit of extra care if you want to keep them looking crisp and sharp.

The most important factor in keeping your ties looking nice is in the way you store them. As soon as your tie comes off, you should immediately hang it up - at least sling it around a coat hanger or drape it over the bar in your closet. Don't simply plunk it down on your night table or drop it over a chair. If you properly hang your ties up it will allow the creases in the fabric left behind by the knot to drop out easily. In addition, hanging your ties in the closet keeps will keep them out of the bright sunlight that can cause fading of the fabric as well as other damage

Most department stores sell inexpensive hangers just for ties. For the traveling man it is always a good idea to pack your ties by folding them into fours and keeping them some place where they won't get squashed. If you are a fussier suitcase-packer, you may want to purchase a case specially designed for storing your ties during a trip, keeping them nice-looking.

One last bit of advice for keeping those neckties looking shard and crisp -- when removing your tie, don't pull the thin end through the knot. Instead, remove the tie by following the tie-tying steps in reverse. This put the least amount of strain on the fabric.