How to Remove Wrinkles from a Tie

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 23, 2020 References

You may only wear ties for special occasions, or they could be a part of your daily uniform for work. Either way, your tie is going to develop wrinkles after wearing it. Tie fabric is usually sensitive and should never be ironed. This doesn’t mean that removing wrinkles from ties isn’t easy. To remove wrinkles from a tie, you can hang the tie, roll it up, or use steam, depending on the severity of the wrinkles.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hanging the Tie

1
Undo the knot. It is important to untie the knot after you are finished wearing it. Undoing the knot prevents permanent creases, and it is the first step in removing existing wrinkles. First, loosen the knot by gently pulling it from side to side. Then, pull out the short and long end of the tie with your thumb. Next, use your fingers to loosen the entire knot and then gently pull it out.^{[1]
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- Removing the knot by pulling on the back end of your tie will eventually rip it.
2
Drape it over a tie rack. Hanging up the tie is the best way to remove slight wrinkles. It’s usually not ideal to hang the tie on a regular hanger because it may slip off or have to be tied to stay on the hanger. If possible, drape the undone tie over a tie rack, or buy hangers especially made for ties. Make sure the tie is flat whether it has been draped or hung up.^{[2]
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- Investing in a tie rack will keep your ties in good shape for longer. You can even make your own if you are good at building things.
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3
Leave the tie overnight. The wrinkles may come out within several hours, but it is ideal to leave it hanging overnight. If you won’t be wearing it that day, leave the tie hanging. Make sure to hang up the tie after every wear to keep it in good shape.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Rolling the Tie

1
Wrap the tie around your hand. This is a method that is ideal for slightly stubborn wrinkles. Once the tie is undone, hold the narrow end of the tie against your palm. Use your thumb to hold the tie down. Then, wrap the wide end of the tie around your hand. The tie shouldn’t feel very tight around your hand, but there should be subtle tension. Keeping the tie rolled up, slide it off of your hand.^{[4]
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2
Place the tie on a flat surface. Make sure the tie hasn’t come undone before placing it on a flat surface. The flat surface could be a table or countertop. Just be sure that the surface is clean and won’t be bothered by anyone.^{[5]
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3
Wait for at least several hours. The wrinkles should begin to loosen after several hours. Ideally, wait overnight for the wrinkles to come out completely. Then, put on the tie or store it properly in a safe place.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Steam

1
Hang the tie up in your bathroom. You should only use steam on your tie if the wrinkles are pretty stubborn. The gentlest method for steaming your tie is to hang it up while you’re taking a shower. Preferably, you should use a hanger made especially for ties.^{[7]
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2
Turn the shower on to a high setting. The shower will have to be fairly warm for the bathroom to steam up. If this is too much for you to handle, you can turn on the shower and leave the room. The steam should work on the tie within 5 to 10 minutes.^{[8]
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3
Use a handheld steamer. If the wrinkles still haven’t come out, you can resort to using a handheld steamer. To use the steamer, connect the nozzle to the cleaning unit. Then, put it on a flat surface and fill the unit with water until it reaches the top line. Next, press the steam button and gently go over the tie. Disconnect the nozzle and remove the water when you are finished using the steamer.^{[9]
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- It is better to use a steamer, but you can also use an iron that has a steam setting.
- The exact instructions for the use of a handheld steamer vary from brand to brand. Consult the instructions before use.
- You can find fairly inexpensive handheld steamers online or at many supermarkets.
4
Store the tie properly. Once you’ve steamed the tie, put it on or store it away. Make sure to store it properly or the tie will get wrinkled again. Ideally, you should hang the tie up, but you can also roll it loosely and put it in a box or drawer.

Warnings

Avoid ironing your tie. The iron could cause damage.

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Do not leave the tie knotted after you are finished wearing it. This will permanently crease the fabric.^{[12]
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