Cleaning Food Stains From Silk Ties?

[maillme]

Hi there,

I wear silk ties to my work, and i'm forever getting my lunch and stuff on them - how can i clean these??

thanks,

Neil

[BigMac]

Dry cleaners are very expensive. So, for the future, how about using a napkin?

[woofgang]

John lewis department store (also I recall tie rack) sells a spray for ties that puts a stain resistant coating on them which might help. I make Mr woofgang wear machine washable ties on curry lunch days!!

[woofgang]

just to make clear, it won't clean the ties but will protect new ones!!

[WendyS]

I have on occasions hand washed silk ties but very carefully !! Dry clean them twice and it's already cost more than the original article! Fold the tie and swish it very gently in lukewarm soapy water (I use liquid Ariel). Lightly hand rub any particularly grubby marks. Hang it up straight and let it drip dry. Iron on a low setting on the wrong side. Sometimes the lining can come adrift inside the tie which is why this process must be done gently with minimum disturbance of the material while washing..

[woofgang]

If you decide to have a go at washing, use white cotton to tack 3 lines down the tie, one down the centre and one at each edge. This holds the lining in place and stops it twisting in the tie. After drying and pressing the tie, take the cotton out again. For those of you who dont know (apologies to those who do) tacking stitch is poking the needle up through the cloth, moving along about half an inch and polking it back down again so the stitching looks like a dotted line when you are finished

[geo0939]

Big Mac is dead right, why can't you eat in a civilised manner?

[maillme]

its not that i cant......just being a consultant, im always rushing about like mad! unfortunately, the lst thing on my mind is not t get my tie in my dinner! :)