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General Knot & Co. — Made in Bedford, NY

Care & Keeping

Everything we make is built to last. A little care goes a long way — here's how to keep your General Knot pieces looking their best for years to come.

Neckwear

Cotton Neckties, Bow Ties & Pocket Squares

100% cotton · hand-rolled edges on pocket squares · limited-edition prints
Applies to: all cotton neckties, self-tie bow ties, pocket squares, and bandanas

Add necktie outline here

Source: any cotton necktie or bow tie product photo
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

Cotton neckties, bow ties & pocket squares

Step-by-step care

1
Spot-clean firstDab — don't rub — with a clean damp cloth and a drop of mild dish soap. Blot dry immediately with a clean towel.
2
Hand-wash when neededCool water + gentle detergent (Woolite or similar). Swish gently 1–2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Never machine-wash.
3
Dry flatPress out excess water gently — never wring. Lay flat on a clean towel, reshape, and air-dry completely.
4
Steam or press carefullyUse a garment steamer held 2–3 inches away, or a cool-to-medium iron with a pressing cloth. Never iron directly on a printed surface.

Do

Untie and hang loosely after wearing
Use a pressing cloth when ironing
Air out before storing
Roll loosely for travel — never knot and pack

Don't

Machine wash or tumble dry
Wring or twist wet fabric
Iron directly on a print
Use bleach or harsh stain removers

Pocket squares: Hand-rolled edges are delicate. Wash separately and avoid rubbing the edge against anything abrasive. Press lightly while still slightly damp for a crisp finish.

Formal Neckwear

Silk / Cotton Blend Ties & Pocket Squares

Silk/cotton blend · fine weave with sheen
Applies to: Formal Classic Necktie (Black & Navy), Formal White Pocket Square

Add formal tie outline here

Source: Formal Classic Necktie Black or Navy
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

Silk/cotton formal neckties & pocket squares

Step-by-step care

1
Spot-clean onlyBlot immediately with a clean dry cloth. For stains, use a tiny amount of cool water and dab gently. Never rub — it damages the weave.
2
Dry-clean recommendedFor a thorough clean, take to a trusted dry cleaner and specify the silk/cotton blend. Dry-cleaning preserves the drape and sheen better than any home method.
3
Steam — don't ironA garment steamer is ideal. If you must iron, use the lowest silk setting with a pressing cloth and test a hidden corner first.
4
Store hanging or rolledHang on a smooth hanger or roll loosely. Avoid hard folds that crease the weave permanently.

Do

Act quickly on spills — blot immediately
Trust a dry cleaner for set stains
Steam lightly to remove travel wrinkles
Store in a fabric bag away from light

Don't

Machine wash or tumble dry
Rub stains — it damages the weave permanently
Iron on the face of the fabric
Use spot-remover sprays without testing first

Bags & Totes

Canvas Bags & Totes

100% cotton canvas body · water-resistant canvas lining · leather handles · brass hardware · bound seams
Applies to: All Day Totes, Mini Totes, Portfolio Totes (all non-waxed canvas colors)

Add canvas tote outline here

Source: GKAD-006-A (Natural) or GKAD-004-A (Black)
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

All Day Tote, Mini Tote & Portfolio Tote

Step-by-step care

1
Empty & brush outTurn upside down and shake out debris. Use a lint roller or soft brush on the interior lining and pocket.
2
Spot-clean the canvasMix a few drops of mild dish soap in cool water. Apply with a soft cloth or brush in gentle circular motions. Don't saturate the canvas.
3
Rinse and blot dryWipe away soap with a clean damp cloth, then blot dry with a towel. Work section by section.
4
Wipe the liningThe water-resistant canvas lining wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. Leave the bag open to air-dry completely.
5
Air-dry uprightStuff loosely with tissue paper to hold shape. Stand in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sun or heat.

Do

Spot-clean promptly — don't let stains set
Store upright, lightly stuffed when not in use
Air out after heavy or rainy-day use
Use a soft brush on textured prints

Don't

Machine wash — it stresses seams and hardware
Tumble dry or dry near direct heat
Use bleach or abrasive cleaners on prints
Store flat under heavy objects

Japanese indigo & block prints: These specialty fabrics can bleed slightly when first wet. Test in a hidden area before spot-cleaning, and avoid rubbing the print directly.

Bags & Totes

Waxed Canvas Bags

100% cotton (waxed) · water-repellent surface · develops patina with use
Applies to: Waxed Canvas All Day Totes (Black, Tennis Green, True Navy), Waxed Canvas Mini Tote (Black), Waxed Canvas Portfolio Tote (Black)

Add waxed canvas bag outline here

Source: GKAM-003-B (Black Mini) or GKAD-024-A (Navy All Day)
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

Waxed canvas totes — scratch-resistant & water-repellent

Step-by-step care

1
Brush off dry dirtUse a soft-bristled brush or dry cloth first. Most light soiling comes right off without any liquid.
2
Damp cloth for deeper soilingIf brushing isn't enough, use a clean damp cloth — no soap. Wipe gently and allow to dry completely.
3
Remove scratches with heatUse a hairdryer on low, held 3–4 inches from the surface. Move slowly — the wax softens and scratches blend in as the surface warms.
4
Re-wax once a yearWhen water stops beading, apply a thin coat of Otter Wax with a cloth in circular motions. Use a hairdryer to melt it in, then buff with a clean cloth.

Do

Embrace the patina — it's meant to develop
Use Otter Wax for re-waxing (we use it ourselves)
Store in a breathable bag, not plastic
Let it dry fully before re-waxing

Don't

Machine wash or submerge in water
Use soap — it strips the wax coating
Dry in a dryer or near direct heat
Use silicone sprays — they seal the canvas

New bag: A fresh waxed canvas bag may leave slight wax marks on light clothing until broken in. This is normal and fades with use. Full waxed canvas care guide: read here →

Small Goods

Travel Kits, Clutches, Laptop Sleeves & Zip Pouches

Cotton exterior · water-resistant canvas lining · leather zipper pulls · brass YKK zippers · taped seams
Applies to: all cotton travel kits, cotton travel clutches, laptop sleeves, and zipper pouches

Add travel kit or clutch outline here

Source: any travel kit or cotton travel clutch product photo
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

Travel kits, clutches, laptop sleeves & zip pouches

Step-by-step care

1
Empty completelyRemove all contents. Open the zipper fully and shake out any debris.
2
Wipe the liningDampen a cloth with cool water and a drop of mild soap. Wipe the interior canvas lining thoroughly — it's water-resistant and wipes clean easily. Rinse with a damp cloth.
3
Spot-clean the exteriorUse the same mild soap solution on a soft cloth or brush. Work gently on the exterior fabric, focusing on soiled areas.
4
Air-dry openLeave the zipper open and stand or hang to dry fully in a ventilated spot before storing.

Do

Wipe the lining regularly — don't let spills sit
Air out after travel before storing closed
Leave zipper open while drying
Use a soft brush on Japanese indigo and print fabrics

Don't

Machine wash — it stresses the taped seams
Zip closed while still damp
Use bleach or abrasive cleaners
Scrub indigo or block prints aggressively

Laptop sleeves & zip pouches: Same care — spot-clean exterior, wipe interior, air-dry open. The leather pull tab can be conditioned lightly if it looks dry.

Small Goods

Velvet Travel Clutches

Panne velvet exterior · water-resistant canvas lining · brass YKK zipper · embossed leather zipper pull
Applies to: Velvet Travel Clutches in Olive, Navy, Sapphire, and Carrot

Add velvet clutch outline here

Source: Velvet Clutch (Carrot or Olive) product photo
Sketch in Canva → export PNG

Velvet travel clutches — Olive, Navy, Sapphire, Carrot

Step-by-step care

1
Brush the pile gentlyUse a clean soft-bristled clothes brush and brush lightly in the direction of the pile. This lifts crushed fibers and removes surface lint.
2
Revive crushed pile with steamHold a garment steamer 2–3 inches from the surface — never touch the nozzle to the velvet. Steam lifts the pile immediately. Brush gently while still warm.
3
Blot stains — never rubBlot fresh spills immediately with a clean dry cloth. For set stains, lightly dampen a cloth with cold water only and blot. Rubbing permanently damages pile direction.
4
Wipe the liningThe interior lining wipes clean with a damp cloth. Leave open to air-dry fully.

Do

Store flat or stuffed — velvet creases under pressure
Use steam to restore crushed areas
Brush regularly in the direction of the pile
Keep away from sticky or rough surfaces

Don't

Rub stains — this permanently damages the pile
Machine wash or dry-clean without contacting us first
Iron — heat will crush the pile flat
Press or fold tightly for storage

All Bags

Leather Handles, Straps & Pulls

Mahogany leather and blonde veg-tan leather · hand-cut handles · copper and brass rivets
Applies to: leather handles, center straps, shoulder straps, and zipper pulls on all bags and totes

Add leather handle detail here

Source: GKAD-006-E or GKAD-004-B (handle close-up)
Photo crop or sketch → export PNG

Hand-cut mahogany & veg-tan leather handles

Step-by-step care

1
Wipe cleanFor light soiling, wipe with a barely-damp cloth. Dry immediately — don't let water sit on the surface.
2
Condition periodicallyEvery few months, apply a small amount of Leather Honey with a soft cloth in circular motions. Let absorb 20 minutes, then buff off excess.
3
If leather gets wetBlot dry immediately and let air-dry at room temperature. Once fully dry, condition. Never use a hairdryer — it cracks the leather.
4
Let veg-tan darken naturallyBlonde veg-tan handles deepen to a warm honey with use. This patina is intentional — it's the mark of a well-loved bag.

Do

Condition once or twice a year
Let veg-tan darken naturally with use
Store away from direct heat and sunlight
Allow wet leather to dry at room temperature

Don't

Submerge in water or machine wash
Use silicone sprays — they block future conditioning
Dry with a hairdryer or near a radiator
Store in plastic — leather needs to breathe

Mahogany handles: A small amount of matching dark leather cream (Saphir or Lincoln Stain Wax) renews color and adds protection. Apply sparingly, buff to a soft sheen. Tape off surrounding canvas before applying.

All Bags

Brass Hardware

Solid brass D-rings · copper rivets · brass YKK zippers
Applies to: all hardware on totes, bags, and small goods

Add hardware detail here

Source: GKAD-004-C (rivet) or GKAD-006-C (D-ring)
Photo crop or sketch → export PNG

Brass D-rings, copper rivets & YKK zippers

Step-by-step care

1
Keep zippers movingIf a zipper feels stiff, run a pencil tip along the teeth — graphite is a natural dry lubricant. A small amount of beeswax works too. Never use oil-based lubricants — they stain fabric.
2
Polish for shine (optional)Brass darkens over time. If you prefer bright brass, apply a small amount of Brasso or a lemon juice + salt paste, rinse with a damp cloth, and dry completely. Tape off surrounding fabric first.
3
Or embrace the patinaAged brass looks intentional on a well-used bag. The hardware is solid — either approach is fine and won't affect function.

Quick Reference

Key techniques at a glance

Spot-clean photo

Spot-clean Damp cloth + mild soap, gentle circular motion, rinse clean.

Steam photo

Steam Hold 2–3 inches away. Ideal for neckwear and velvet.

Air-dry photo

Air-dry upright Stuff with tissue paper, leave open, away from heat.

Condition photo

Condition leather Small amount of Leather Honey, circular motion, buff dry.

Beyond Home Care

Need a repair?

If a handle needs re-stitching, a seam has given way, a zipper needs replacing, or something just isn't right — we want to know. We stand behind everything we make.

Contact Us About a Repair →

Use coupon code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order.

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Made for the shore

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Built For The Trip

Made by hand in Bedford, NY.

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Take a Load Off

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Make A Statement

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Luxe Linen

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Fit To Be Tied

Neckties and Bow Ties

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blue and white toile mini tote with blonde leather handles

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Bag Buddies- Summer Edition

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Bold Prints for Summer

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Bag Collections

Mini Totes, All Day Totes, & Portfolio Totes

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Neckwear

Neckties, Bow Ties, Squares, Bandanas

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Small Goods

Travel Bags, Zipper Clutches, and Wallets

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Dogs

Handmade Leather Dog Collars. Add Your Pup's Name!

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Focused on Quality

Made by hand in our U.S. studio

From top to bottom- every fabric selection, every stitch, and rivet is made by our team to ensure that you have a beautiful high-quality design that you will enjoy for many years to come.

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Small-Batch

Thoughtfully made in limited runs, ensuring every piece is something truly special.

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Made in the U.S.A.

Designed and crafted right here at home — from cutting table to final stitch.

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Sustainable Materials

We choose quality textiles with a conscience — durable, responsible, and meant to last.

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Big Lobster Travel Kit

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Cabana Mini Tote

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Satin Webbing Cross Body/Shoulder Strap- Neon Green

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Custom Design

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Something Special For Your School or Group

Custom designed products for your school or organization.

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Handmade Customized products

Custom Embroidered or Printed with your organization's logo.

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