How to care for sarees, suits and shawls: the counter guide
We repeat this advice across the counter every single day, so here it is written down. Nothing fancy: just what keeps cloth alive for years, learnt from seventy-nine years of customers telling us what worked.
Cotton sarees and suits
- First wash: alone, in cold water with a spoon of salt. Deep dyes like our Ilkal reds release a little colour the first time, and that is normal.
- After that, machine wash on gentle or hand wash. Mild detergent; never bleach.
- Dry in shade. Direct Delhi sun fades a red to pink inside one season.
- Iron while faintly damp on medium heat and the cotton falls like new.
Silks, art-silks and anything with zari
- Dry clean, and only dry clean. One home wash can dull zari permanently.
- Between wears, air it for an hour in shade before folding away.
- Refold along different lines every few months so the creases do not become cuts.
- Store in a cotton or muslin bag, never plastic. Silk needs to breathe.
Georgette and rayon
- Gentle hand wash in cold water; do not wring. Roll in a towel to take out the water, then hang.
- Iron on the lowest setting, or simply hang in the bathroom during a hot bucket bath and let the steam do it.
Wool shawls
- Air after every few wears; wash rarely. Wool cleans itself better than soap does.
- When you must, hand wash in cold water with a wool-safe soap, or dry clean for embroidered pieces.
- Dry flat on a towel, away from sun. Hanging a wet shawl pulls it out of shape.
- Summer storage: clean it first, fold with neem leaves or cedar in a muslin bag, and keep it out of plastic. Moths find dirty wool first.
The one rule above all
Read the care line before you buy, not after. Every piece on our shelves states its washing honestly, because a fair price includes the truth about upkeep. If a saree says dry clean and your life says machine wash, buy the cotton; it will love you longer.
Unsure about a specific piece? Call the shop. Someone who has folded cloth for decades will pick up.
Care at a glance
| Fabric | Wash | Dry | Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Machine or hand, mild detergent | In shade | Folded, dry place |
| Silk & zari | Dry clean only | Air in shade | Muslin bag, refold often |
| Georgette | Gentle cold hand wash | Roll in towel, then hang | Folded |
| Wool shawl | Air often, wash rarely | Flat, away from sun | Muslin with neem |
Common questions
Can I wash a silk saree at home?
Pure silk and anything with zari should be dry cleaned only. Art-silk takes a gentle cold hand wash, never wrung.
How do I stop the colour running?
First wash alone in cold water with a spoon of salt, and always dry in shade.
How should I store sarees in the monsoon?
In a cotton or muslin bag, never plastic, with neem leaves or cedar to keep insects away.