How to Steam a Tie Without Flattening It (Silk, Wool and Knit)

You untie yesterday's knot and the tie is left with a deep crumpled crease right where it sat around your collar. It is your best silk one, and the meeting is in an hour. To steam a tie, hang it straight, use the gentlest setting, and pass the steam just above the fabric from the narrow end to the wide end, then let it hang for a few minutes; for stubborn creases, press lightly through a pressing cloth and never flatten the rolled edges. Here is how to do it for silk, wool, knit and polyester ties, and how to keep them from creasing in the first place.

Can you steam a tie?

Yes, most ties can be steamed, and steaming is usually safer than ironing. A tie is cut on the bias with soft, rolled edges and a lining inside. Pressing it hard with an iron flattens those edges and can leave shine on silk. Gentle steam relaxes the knot crease while the tie keeps its shape.

The easiest tool for the job is a handheld steamer and iron such as the RosyIron SteamerPro. It steams upright on the hanger, has a Silk setting for the most delicate fabrics, and heats the water inside the body before it reaches the vents, so the steam comes out fine and dry. That matters with silk, which can water-spot. Always check the care label first; if a tie says dry clean only and has a stain, take it to a cleaner rather than steaming over it.

What you need

• A handheld steamer filled with distilled or filtered water.
• A hanger, a tie rack or a clip hanger to hang the tie straight.
• A pressing cloth for any pressing. A see-through mesh pressing cloth lets you see exactly where the crease is while it keeps the plate off the silk.
• A clean, flat surface such as a table with a folded towel, if you need to press.

How to steam a tie, step by step

1. Untie it completely. Never steam a tie that is still knotted. Smooth it with your hands first.
2. Hang it straight. Drape it over a hanger bar, or clip the narrow end so the wide blade hangs down with no twist.
3. Choose a low setting. On the SteamerPro, use Silk for silk ties and fine knits, and Blend for wool. For polyester, choose a low synthetic setting such as Chemical fiber or Nylon. Let it heat up; it is ready in about 15 seconds.
4. Steam from just above the fabric. Hold the steamer upright and move it slowly down the tie, keeping the head just off the surface. Do not press it into the silk.
5. Hold the tip, not the steam. Pull gently on the tip of the blade with your free hand to keep the fabric taut, and keep your fingers out of the steam's path.
6. Do both sides. Steam the front, then turn the tie and steam the back, where the lining often holds the crease.
7. Let it hang. Leave the tie on the hanger for a few minutes until it is completely cool and dry before you knot it.

How do you get a crease out of a silk tie?

Steam it on the Silk setting from just above the fabric, then let it hang. For most knot creases, that is enough. If a sharp line remains, lay the tie face down on a folded towel, cover it with a pressing cloth, and press lightly in the center of the blade only, lifting and lowering rather than sliding. Keep the plate away from the folded edges so they stay soft and rounded. Our guide to steaming silk has more detail on the fabric itself.

Steaming different kinds of ties

Silk ties

Use the gentlest setting and keep the steamer moving. Silk can show water spots or shine if it gets too wet or too hot, so dry steam, distance and a pressing cloth are your friends. Test a small area on the back of the narrow end first.

Wool and cashmere ties

Wool responds well to steam. Use the Blend setting for wool (Silk for cashmere), hover just above the surface and let the steam do the work. Do not press down hard, which can flatten the texture. Let the tie hang for a minute to settle.

Knit ties

Knit ties have a square end and a stretchy structure. Lay them flat on a towel rather than hanging them from one end, which can stretch them, and steam lightly from above on the Silk setting. Pat the knit back into shape with your hand while it is still warm.

Polyester and microfiber ties

Synthetics crease less but can shine or even melt under high heat. Stay on a low synthetic setting, steam from a short distance, and always use a pressing cloth if you press.

Bow ties

Untie the bow and steam it flat on a towel from above, then let it cool before you retie it. A pre-tied bow tie can be steamed as it is, from a short distance.

Mistakes that ruin ties

• Ironing directly on silk. A hot plate on bare silk can leave a permanent shine. Use steam, or press through a cloth.
• Flattening the edges. Rolled edges are part of how a good tie drapes. Press only the center, if at all.
• Steaming over a stain. Heat can set some stains. Spot-clean or take it to a cleaner first.
• Leaving it knotted. Untie your tie every evening; a knot left overnight sets the crease deeper.

How to store ties so they crease less

Untie each tie by reversing the knot rather than pulling the narrow end through, then hang it over a tie rack or roll it loosely from the narrow end and keep it in a drawer. A rolled tie often loses light creases by the next morning without any steam at all. When you travel, roll ties and tuck them inside a shoe or a packing cube, and pack the tie with the suit; our guide to steaming a suit covers the jacket and trousers.

FAQ

Can you iron a silk tie?

Yes, but only on a low setting and through a pressing cloth, and only in the center of the blade. Steam is gentler and is usually all you need for a knot crease.

How do you get wrinkles out of a tie without an iron?

Roll it loosely from the narrow end and leave it overnight, or hang it in the bathroom while you shower. For faster results, steam it from just above the fabric with a handheld steamer.

Can steam damage a silk tie?

It can if the steam is wet, too close or held in one spot. Use a low setting, keep the steamer moving and let the tie dry fully before you knot it. Test on the back first.

How long does it take to steam a tie?

Usually a minute or two, plus a few minutes of hanging time to cool. Pressing a stubborn crease through a cloth adds another minute.

A tie is one of the quickest things to steam once you know the trick: low heat, a little distance and patience while it cools. If you want one tool that steams on the hanger with a gentle Silk setting and presses on the table when you need it, the RosyIron SteamerPro 2-in-1 steamer and iron has 7 fabric settings from Silk to Linen and comes with free US shipping and 30-day returns.