It’s not just cheaper ties which can crease; if you order neckwear online or store them incorrectly they can often end up looking worse for wear.
One option is to take your wrinkled ties to the local dry cleaner, which may work but comes with some risk. Sometimes, after dry cleaning and pressing, your favourite tie will come back flat and lifeless.
To prevent this (and save you a couple of quid) we’ve put together our best advice for removing the creases out of your tie or pocket square.
First attempt
Hang the wrinkled tie on a clothes hanger. Let it hang in a well-ventilated spot for a couple days and many of the wrinkles will naturally go away.
Second attempt
Use steam to get the wrinkles out of a tie. Hang the tie in the bathroom while you take a hot shower and the heat from the shower will work out the wrinkles. Or use a garment steamer to get rid of the wrinkles. Hold the steamer lightly against the fabric and slowly move it down the length of the tie to smooth out the wrinkles.
Third attempt
Roll up the tie from the narrow end up to the wide and let it sit for a day or two to remove creases and wrinkles.
Fourth attempt
If the previous 3 options have failed to remove the creases in your tie, you may find that the only option left is to get your iron out. I must say though, you should iron your tie only if absolutely necessary, especially if it’s silk. And if you do, make sure you follow the following tips to reduce the chance of ruining your tie.
Before ironing the tie, check the tag on the necktie; it will normally display the recommended iron temperature. (Cool settings for silk and polyester ties, medium heat settings for wool ties, higher heat settings for cotton fabric ties.)
Put a clean white cloth (cotton or linen) on the ironing board before laying down your necktie, backside up.Start from the bottom and make your way to the top. (Do it in small portions). Let the steam from the iron pass over the tie while you smooth the creases out with your hand.
Lift the cloth every so often to check whether the tie shows any colour changes - if it does immediately lower the iron’s temperature. When the back is finished, turn the tie over and then press the front side using the cloth.
Once finished, immediately hang the tie to cool before storing or wearing. Remember, never completely flatten your necktie with the iron - it is supposed to keep its tubular texture and shape.
Checklist when ironing your tie:
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Check tags on tie for information about fabric type.
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Plug in Iron and set temperature dial accordingly. Many ties are made of silk or polyester blends and will need a cool setting. Wool ties need a medium setting and cotton can take a fairly high temperature.
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Place silk tie lengthwise on ironing board with the back of tie facing up.
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Place a cotton cloth flat over the area to be ironed and carefully iron your silk tie.
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Iron bottom to top in small portions from the edges inward to avoid creasing.
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Lift cover cloth periodically to check progress.
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Turn silk tie face up and Iron, taking care not to leave the iron in any one spot for too long.
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Hang silk tie immediately so that it cools without wrinkling.
Tips
The cover cloth keeps your tie from scorching, sticking, discolouring or getting shiny.
Avoid spot cleaning your tie just before ironing. Any damp spots will become permanent stains if you Iron them.
Warnings
Avoid using steam or irons on ties too frequently, as they may damage the fabric over time. Never hold the iron or steamer in one spot on the fabric for any length of time. Instead, keep it moving at all times to avoid scorching or damaging the tie. Always read the care instructions on your tie to find out whether ironing or steaming is safe for the fabric.
