It’s one of the most common questions among women: how to properly care for and store a saree. As someone who’s been there, I know the struggle well. In my earlier days, this was one of my biggest challenges. My mother often said I lacked the patience to handle sarees with the care they deserved! She hesitated to let me borrow hers, worried I’d somehow mishandle her treasured pieces.
Over the years, though, I’ve learned a lot about keeping sarees in beautiful condition, and I'm here to share these insights with you. Whether it’s silk, cotton, or any other type, proper care and storage can help your sarees retain their charm and last for years.
Gentle attention is necessary when washing a saree because every type of fabric has different requirements for preserving its texture and attractiveness.
- The first thing I have learnt from my experience is to always check the label before cleaning. It gives important instructions relevant to the cloth and patterns of the saree.
- Another learning is sorting by type of fabric is essential. Cotton, silk, georgette, or chiffon—because each fabric requires a particular method of washing.
- The best way to maintain the shine and delicate fibres of silk and Zari sarees is to have them professionally dry-cleaned. The reason is soap might tarnish the metallic threads, avoid using it on Zari areas.
The
most satisfying thing is that I handle cotton material. Cotton sarees can be
hand-washed at home in cold water. Prevent colour fading by adding a moderate
detergent instead of bleach or strong detergents. Let me tell you my pathetic
story, there was a time I thought I’d nailed the art of saree care. I’d washed
my favourite silk saree—one I’d saved for special occasions—and felt so proud
of how fresh and bright it looked after a gentle wash. But I was in a rush that
day, so instead of carefully drying it indoors or in a shaded area, I took a shortcut and hung it
out in the direct sunlight.
By
the time I remembered it later that day, the damage had already been done. The
once-vibrant colours had faded, and the fabric, which used to have that soft,
luxurious feel, now felt rough and brittle in places. I was heartbroken. All I
could think about was how my mother had always warned me about the dangers of
exposing sarees to harsh sunlight, but I’d brushed it off. That saree, which
held so much sentimental value, was never the same again. It was a painful
lesson, but one that taught me the importance of patience and care when it
comes to these delicate garments.
So, what is your learning??
Avoid direct sunshine, which can fade colours, and rinse gently without wringing, then dry in the shade.
Let me share with you a few tips about fabric and its precautions while hand:
Our all-time favourite Silk is a lovely natural material prized for its soft feel, shiny appearance, and durability. It has been prized and utilized in numerous luxury items, such as dresses, sarees, scarves, and decorative accessories. Maintaining its natural lustre and fine texture, silk requires gentle cleaning. This kind of fabric has to be softly washed to keep its intrinsic shine and delicate fibres. First, fill a bucket with cold water and incorporate a little mild detergent intended for gentle fabrics. Regardless of whether the silk piece is a saree or different apparel, immerse it briefly to avoid colour loss. The silk could be damaged if the fabric is wrung or rubbed in water.
Next, our most satisfying clothes Cotton, a naturally found material sourced from the cotton plant, is valued for its adaptability, softness, and ability to allow airflow. Due to its comfort and ability to adjust to different climates, it is one of the most commonly utilized fabrics globally. Cotton material is perfect for warm and humid conditions as it effectively draws moisture away from the skin, ensuring the wearer remains comfortable. Due to its characteristics, cotton is favoured for summer clothing and informal attire. Cotton is often machine-washable, making it convenient to care for. To prevent fading or shrinking, utilize cold or warm water along with a gentle detergent. Clean coloured cotton items separately or with like colours to avoid colour transfer. Stains on white cotton garments can be removed by laundering them in warm water.
Chiffon is a delicate, lightweight
fabric that is used for sarees, evening gowns, shawls, and tops, among other
fashionable ensembles. Even though chiffon is a soft fabric that needs careful
handling, begin by putting a small amount of mild detergent with cold water in
a bowl. To preserve the fibres, gently dip and rotate the fabric rather than
washing or wringing. After a short soak, clean well with cold water to get free
of all the detergent.
Very soft, breathable, light, and extremely absorbent fabric. For washing, we use a small amount of detergent to preserve its texture and prevent shrinkage. Keeping the fabric intact, linen is best to be hand-washed or machine-washed on a soft cycle. Because bleach weakens fibres, avoid using it. Because linen is prone to deterioration, gently squeeze out any excess water after washing without twisting or straining the fabric. To avoid shrinking and weakening the fibres, air-dry linen by hanging it or laying it flat. Ironing linen while still slightly moist or using a steamer might help smooth out creases because linen wrinkles rapidly. With the right maintenance, linen will retain its natural beauty and durability while getting softer and more comfortable with each wash.
I think you get an idea about the fabric and its character. Now let’s jump into the nurturing process:
Sarees must be stored correctly to preserve their beauty, colour, and delicate nuances. Before storing any sarees, make sure they are all clean and devoid of dust or stains. Avoid using plastic bags since they can lead to mildew and fabric damage. Instead, wrap each saree in a permeable cotton or muslin cloth for the greatest preservation, which shields the fabric without retaining moisture.
- Dust your saree lightly to get rid of any surface debris before storing it. If there are obvious stains on the saree, give it a little spot clean or, for sensitive materials like silk, think about having it professionally dry cleaned.
Cotton or muslin bags offer breathable protection for sarees. These materials promote airflow, which keeps your sarees fresh and guards against fungus.
- For long-term storage, ventilated wooden cupboards are ideal. Wooden cabinets, particularly those with cedar lining, naturally repel insects and provide a well-balanced climate that shields textiles from pests and dampness. Because moths and insects can harm delicate fabrics, cedar's natural oils serve as a barrier. Furthermore, wood promotes a small amount of air circulation, which lowers the chance of mildew.
- It's essential to change up the fold of your sarees every few months to avoid deep creases and reduce the load on any one part of the cloth. Rotating the folds helps keep the saree's fine details and distributes pressure evenly, especially along delicate regions like the embroidered sections or zari border.
The emotional bond with the saree needs extra care and attention. Your sarees will stay beautiful and colourful for many years to come if you put a little work into washing, folding, and storing them. You can find different colourful sarees in Parthi which you can intact with care and attention.