Saree care

Care by weave

These are the same notes you see on each saree's page. If a saree comes with a care label, follow the label first.

• Kanchipuram. Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin cloth and refold along a different line every few months.
• Arani. Dry clean for the first few washes. Store in a muslin cloth, away from damp.
• Kovai. Dry clean, or a gentle cold hand wash with a mild soap. Dry in the shade.
• Chettinad. Wash by hand in cold water with a mild soap, and wash it alone the first time as the colour may bleed a little. Dry in the shade.
• Sungudi. Wash by hand in cold water with a mild soap, and wash it alone the first time. Dry in the shade.
• Assam. Dry clean for the first few washes. Store folded in a muslin cloth, away from damp.
• Mysore Silk. Dry clean for the first few washes. Store folded in a muslin cloth, away from damp.
• Banana Pith Silk. Dry clean, or a gentle cold hand wash with a mild soap. Dry in the shade.
• Handloom Cotton. Wash by hand in cold water with a mild soap, and wash it alone the first time as the colour may bleed a little. Dry in the shade.
• Mal Mal Cotton. Wash by hand in cold water with a mild soap, and wash it alone the first time. Dry in the shade and iron on a medium heat.
• Mysore Silk. Dry clean for the first few washes. Store folded in a muslin cloth, away from damp.
• Banana Pith Silk. Dry clean, or a gentle cold hand wash with a mild soap. Dry in the shade.
• Linen. Wash by hand in cold water with a mild soap, or dry clean. Dry in the shade and iron while still slightly damp.

Storing

• Keep silks folded in a soft cotton or muslin cloth, not in plastic, which traps damp.
• Refold along a different line every few months, so the folds do not wear into the zari.
• Keep sarees away from damp walls and from direct sunlight.

Wearing

• Put on perfume and deodorant before the saree, not after.
• Air a silk saree in the shade after wearing, before you fold it away.
• Be gentle with zari, as it can catch on rough jewellery and edges.

Ironing

Iron silk on a low heat, on the wrong side, with a thin cloth between. Never press zari directly. Cottons can take a hotter iron, and a light starch helps them hold their pleats.

If something goes wrong

For a stain on silk or zari, do not rub or wash it at home. Take it to a dry cleaner you trust, who has worked with handloom silk before.