When figuring out how to clean a silk tie, you can’t afford to make any mistakes. Silk is an incredibly delicate material, meaning that one wrong move could end up costing you your garment. That being said, silk is also prone to stains, and it’s important that you know how to clean your tie properly—at least until you can make it to the professionals.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to cleaning a silk tie: no water! Water can leave behind stubborn, streaky marks or ripples that are almost as bad (if not worse) than the original stain that you were trying to deal with.

So if you can’t use water on your silk ties, what can you do? We always recommend trusting your silk ties to the professionals, but if it’s not an option at the moment, these are the steps that you should take.

Step One: Start with Rubbing Alcohol

Light and/or recent silk tie stains can often be effectively removed with rubbing alcohol. Pour some in a bowl and gently dab on to your tie using a clean rag. Be sure to wring out the rag before applying it to the tie so that you’re not oversaturating the fabric. If the stain lifts (or if it’s not working and you decide you need to move on to step two), dry the area with a hair dryer so that the rubbing alcohol does not leave a mark.

Note: Before applying rubbing alcohol to the stain, test it on the back of the tie to ensure it doesn’t leave behind any damage.

Step Two: Try a Gentle Cleanser

A delicate cleaning solution like Woolite can be used in lieu of rubbing alcohol, or in the event that the rubbing alcohol doesn’t work. Follow the same steps as above, dipping a clean rag in the cleaning solution and dabbing it on, followed by drying it with a hair dryer.

Step Three: Try Cornstarch

Cornstarch can help lift oil-based stains out of silk, though it may take a while. Pour cornstarch directly onto the stain and let sit overnight. You will probably need to repeat the process a couple of times. Remember though, this only works for grease stains, so you’ll be out of luck if you’re dealing with something like chocolate or wine.

Should Ties Be Dry Cleaned?

Ultimately, a professional cleaning by a dry cleaner is your best bet for getting a stain out of a silk tie. At Arthur Copeland Cleaners, we offer a professional tie cleaning service that helps ensure your silk ties stay looking their best, even in the face of stubborn stains. With expert care, we can also make sure that your silk ties maintain their shape and integrity, and that the colors do not bleed during cleaning.

Need a Silk Tie Cleaned? We’ll Pick It Up!

We don’t guarantee the above steps will always work perfectly, and it’s much safer to simply trust professional dry cleaners, like Arthur Copeland, to restore your ties instead. Delicate fabrics should be handled with extreme care and caution! 

At Arthur Copeland, we offer fast and reliable pick-up service for all of your dry cleaning needs, including your most expensive suits and ties. Schedule a pick up online, or contact us today to learn more. New clients are always welcome.