How do I clean a cotton tie?

[Ugarte]

I just got a small collection of vintage bow ties. They are a mixture of silk and cotton. One of the cotton ties is nice, but it is a little soiled. Look slike just your basic dirt from being tied by hands that were not entirely clean.

I've done some Googling, but haven't found anything that might be helpful in cleaning this tie. I'm guessing that it should be soaked in cold water with some Woolite or something, possibly gently scrubbed with a soft brush, then air dried.

Any help out there?

Thanks.

Mark
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[Mike in Seattle]

Sounds like how I'd start were I in a similar situation. A nice long soak with a periodic sloshing, some gentle rubbing or brushing of the more soiled areas, a good rinse and probably dry laid flat on a towel.

 

[Ugarte]

Sounds like how I'd start were I in a similar situation. A nice long soak with a periodic sloshing, some gentle rubbing or brushing of the more soiled areas, a good rinse and probably dry laid flat on a towel.

Thanks Mike.

I appreciate the input.


Mark
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[John in Covina]

You might try pre-treating the soiled areas first.

 

[Ugarte]

You might try pre-treating the soiled areas first.

Thanks John. I didn't think of that, but I was trying to be as gentle as possible.

These ties are just barely long enough for my 17 1/2" neck and they are variously silk, cotton and wool. I was really worried about shrinkage.

I soaked/gently agitated them in Woolite in the sink and then air tumbled them in the drier for a while. A pass with a cool iron and they look quite nice.

I modeled a few in this thread around message #86: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=10014&page=6

Again, thanks for the suggestion. I'll try and bear it in mind next time.


Mark
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