Looking after your saree
Saree Care Guide
A handloom saree, properly cared for, lasts generations. The guidance below is fabric-specific — find your saree's fabric and follow the notes that apply.
Silk Sarees (Kanchipuram, Banarasi, Mysore Silk, Patola)
Silk is protein fibre — it is strong when dry and fragile when wet. Dry-clean your pure silk sarees for the first few washes to preserve the zari and the sheen. If you choose to hand-wash at home, use cold water and a capful of mild, pH-neutral liquid detergent (no enzyme-based or biological detergents — they digest protein fibres). Submerge gently, do not rub or wring. Rinse twice in cold water. Roll the saree in a clean cotton towel to absorb excess moisture, then hang on a wide rod in shade. Never tumble-dry or iron while fully wet. Iron on the reverse side at a low-silk setting with a pressing cloth.
Cotton Sarees (Chanderi, Gadwal, Maheshwari)
Cotton sarees with zari borders should be treated like silk at the borders — fold the saree so the border faces inward before washing. The cotton body can be hand-washed in lukewarm water with gentle detergent. Avoid soaking longer than 10 minutes, as prolonged soaking can loosen natural dyes. Dry in shade; direct sunlight fades vegetable dyes quickly. Iron at a medium-cotton setting. A light starch gives Chanderi its characteristic body and crispness.
Georgette & Chiffon Sarees
These lightweight synthetic-blend fabrics are relatively easy to care for but snag easily. Hand-wash in cold water with a gentle liquid detergent. Never squeeze or wring — press between towels instead. Drip-dry on a hanger. Iron inside-out on the lowest setting (or use a steamer for best results). Store rolled rather than folded to avoid sharp crease lines.
Linen & Tussar Sarees
Linen and Tussar (wild silk) both appreciate a dry-clean for the first wash to set the natural sizing. After that, gentle hand-washing in cold water is fine for Tussar; linen is more robust and can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Iron linen slightly damp at a high-linen setting — the heat sets its characteristic crisp texture. Tussar should be ironed cool on the reverse with a pressing cloth.
Zari & Gold Thread Work
Zari (gold/silver metallic thread) tarnishes with moisture and chemical exposure. Keep zari sarees away from perfume, deodorant, and hairspray. If the zari becomes dull, a gentle wipe with a soft dry cloth restores some lustre. Never scrub or soak a zari border. For heavily worked pieces — Kanchipuram, Paithani, Banarasi — professional dry-cleaning every 2–3 years will maintain the sheen and prevent thread breakage.
Storage
Store sarees in breathable muslin or cotton covers — never in airtight plastic, which traps moisture and promotes mildew. Refold sarees along a different crease line every few months to prevent permanent fold damage. Interleave acid-free tissue between heavily worked sarees to prevent zari from catching on adjacent fabric. Place cedar balls or neem leaves in the storage area as a natural moth deterrent; avoid mothballs, which leave chemical residues that damage fibre.
Emergency Stain Care
Act immediately: blot (never rub) the stain with a clean, dry cloth. For water-based stains on silk, blot and let air-dry before taking to a professional cleaner. For oil-based stains, sprinkle cornflour or talcum powder to absorb the oil, leave for 30 minutes, then brush off gently. Take the saree to a trusted dry-cleaner as soon as possible and describe the stain type. Do not attempt to remove set stains at home — the risk of colour loss is high.
When in doubt, consult a professional dry-cleaner who specialises in sarees and delicate Indian textiles. A small investment in professional care protects a much larger investment in the piece itself.