How to Iron Out Wrinkles in Ties

Improper storage can cause neckties to wrinkle.

Possibly the most prominent men's fashion accessory, neckties often become wrinkled from mishandling, with some fabrics, such as silk, wrinkling more easily than others. Depending on the tie's fabric, care needs to be taken during ironing; the iron may cause an imprint of the tie's seam to show on the front, ruining its appearance. By following simple ironing instructions, your tie will look like new, without your having to pay to have it dry cleaned.

Things You'll Need

• Ironing board
• Cotton cloth

Instructions

1. Look on the tie's tag to determine the fabric. On the back of most ties is a tag with manufacturer and fabric information.

2. Set up the ironing board and preheat the iron. The temperature setting depends on the tie's fabric. Iron temperature settings are normally listed according to the fabric. Set the temperature to the tie's fabric type, or one lower if the tie is especially delicate. According to "To Tie a Tie," the temperature for ironing a silk tie should be no higher than 284 degrees Fahrenheit, and, if wool, no higher than 338 F.

3. Extend the tie over the ironing board, face up. Place a cotton cloth over the tail (narrow end) of the tie and go over it with the iron, back and forth. Remove the cloth and inspect the tail for wrinkles. If wrinkles are still present, raise the temperature slightly and iron again. Ironing the tail serves as a test before ironing the front of the tie.

4. Place the cloth over the front of the tie and iron it. Be sure to lift the cloth after every two passes to see if the wrinkles are gone. Repeat until the tie is ironed flat.

References

• ToTieaTie.com: Tips on Ironing a Tie
• Time.com; A Brief History of the Necktie; June 2008
• Persil: Ironing

Resources

• ToTieaTie.com: How to Prevent and Remove Wrinkles on a Tie