Alcohol Stain on a Silk Tie?

naux · Dec 29, 2008

So my really nice silk tie had apple-tini spilled on it. It dried, and left an alcohol stain (darker color) on it, that doesn't look too bad or noticeable.

However, my main concern is that the sugars of the alcohol will rot over time, destroying my tie which should last for a long time. I read that dry cleaning my tie will also be bad for it. Given that 1/4 of the tie was soaked, what should I do?

This is my first nice tie, so I have an attachment to it. >.<

Metlin · Dec 29, 2008

Try using some warm water and cleaning out the stain.

If that does not work, try using a very soft soap (e.g. baby soap) in very minimal quantities to see if that helps.

In either case, just let the tie dry out (you can use a hair dryer from a distance to aid the process).

If neither method works, I'd just have to say that you're outta luck.

Washing with a detergent, or dry cleaning, is a sure fire way to destroy a tie.

Personally, I'd just frame this one for posterity and buy a similar one to pacify your apple-tini drinking conscience.

naux · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks for the tips, but ... is water safe for silk ties?

If the label on the tie says dry-cleaning is ok... should I just ignore all the warnings and just go for it? It is a ferragamo tie, so perhaps their silk is treated differently?

Metlin · Dec 29, 2008

I've used water on my silk ties before without any problems. As long as you don't dip the whole damn bloody thing in a bucket full of water, you should be fine. Just apply water gently, and see if that works.

JayJay · Dec 29, 2008

Originally Posted by Metlin

I've used water on my silk ties before without any problems. As long as you don't dip the whole damn bloody thing in a bucket full of water, you should be fine. Just apply water gently, and see if that works.
I've done the same with mixed results. Hopefully it'll work for you, but, unfortunately in my experience if the stain doesn't disappear then it probably won't ever come out. Dry cleaning ties has not worked for me.

idfnl · Dec 29, 2008

Originally Posted by Metlin

I've used water on my silk ties before without any problems. As long as you don't dip the whole damn bloody thing in a bucket full of water, you should be fine. Just apply water gently, and see if that works.

I've soaked ties and had no problems. I've found that as long as you dont agitate it, just bob it up and down a bit around the stain then its fine. Afterwards I laid the tie flat on a towel and it was dry and still perfectly shaped the next day.

montyharding · Dec 29, 2008

I'm not sure how much of the dry cleaning was a contributing factor but I did get a favourite tie dry cleaned which did the job, but the tie kind of fell apart not that long afterwards - defeating the object of cleaning it. As for the rest over the last 5 years I've worn ties less and less, plus I rotate / replace them quite often - so I can't say I've had any accidents which requires a clean.

Harrydog · Dec 29, 2008

Jos Banks sell little towellettes (like wet naps) that have dry cleaning solution in them. I have used them on ties with good results.

naux · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks everyone, looks like it is water or bust. Would rather live with the stain than have it destroyed.

Does anyone know if the sugars will rot over time?

Douglas · Dec 29, 2008

My main concern is not the tie but rather WTF you were doing drinking an apple-tini.

naux · Dec 29, 2008

Originally Posted by Douglas

My main concern is not the tie but rather WTF you were doing drinking an apple-tini.

Good point, I was basically handed it by someone at a holiday party. Might as well finish it... didn't anticipate that the funny shaped cup made me 'miss' the rim and spill.

AdamInSF · Dec 29, 2008

Originally Posted by Douglas

My main concern is not the tie but rather WTF you were doing drinking an apple-tini.
+1 We can only hope that it was his date's.

aldica · Dec 30, 2008

DON'T TOUCH IT! There is a cleaner in NYC, Tie Crafters. They take the tie apart and clean it, repress it and return it. If you want to save your tie for future use, look them up on the Internet.

tlmusic · Dec 30, 2008

Originally Posted by aldica

DON'T TOUCH IT! There is a cleaner in NYC, Tie Crafters. They take the tie apart and clean it, repress it and return it. If you want to save your tie for future use, look them up on the Internet.
YES YES YES www.tiecrafters.com There are many threads on dry cleaners and ties. Most have unhappy endings. If you try to fix the stain yourself, you'll just make it worse. If you send the tie to the corner dry cleaners, they might get the stain out, but then they'll press the tie and make it shiny. The lining will be compressed and the edges will be creased, when they should be "rolled". Tie Crafters is the only place I've experienced that knows how to properly clean a tie.

naux · Dec 30, 2008

beautiful, thank you! (just checked the site... sadly, they seem to have a 4 tie minimum. looks like i'll have to wear out 3 more ties)

does anyone know anything about Peninou?

http://www.peninou.com/

Alcohol Stain on a Silk Tie?

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