Saree Care Tips: Essential Guide to Maintaining Your Prized Possessions

Sarees are a prized possession, loved for their lustre and magical mingling of vibrant hues. Hence, a little extra love and care should be shown right from storing to maintaining them. When it comes to caring for your saree, it is important to understand the nature of the fabric, the dyes used, and various embellishments.

Tips and Tricks to Take Care of Your Sarees

1. Proper Storage:

After wearing your saree, make sure to fold it neatly and store it in a breathable cotton bag or a muslin cloth. Avoid using plastic bags as they can trap moisture and lead to fabric damage.

2. Gentle Handwashing:

When it's time to wash your saree, opt for gentle handwashing using a mild detergent. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach as they can damage the fabric and color.

3. Test the Color:

Before washing your saree, always perform a colorfastness test on a small corner of the fabric to ensure that the colors won't bleed or fade.

4. Separate Light and Dark Colors:

While washing your sarees, separate light-colored sarees from dark-colored ones to prevent color transfer.

5. Drying:

Avoid wringing or twisting your saree to remove excess water. Instead, gently squeeze out the water and hang the saree in a shaded area to dry. Direct sunlight can cause the colors to fade.

6. Ironing:

Iron your saree on a low heat setting to prevent any damage to the fabric. If your saree has delicate embellishments, place a thin cloth between the iron and the saree to protect it.

7. Stain Removal:

For common stains like food or lipstick, gently dab the stain with a mild detergent solution and rinse with cold water. Avoid rubbing the stain vigorously as it can damage the fabric.

8. Professional Cleaning:

If your saree has intricate embellishments or is made of delicate fabric like silk, it is best to take it to a professional cleaner to ensure proper care and maintenance.

Additional Care Tips

1. Preserve the Zari:

Zari work is a common embellishment on sarees. To preserve the zari, avoid spraying perfume directly on the saree and store it in a cool, dry place away from moisture.

2. Remove Stains Immediately:

If you accidentally spill something on your saree, try to remove the stain immediately. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove.

3. Prevent Moth Damage:

To protect your sarees from moth damage, place mothballs or cedar chips in the storage area. Alternatively, you can also wrap the sarees in acid-free tissue paper.

4. Avoid Hanging Heavy Sarees:

Heavy sarees like Kanjivarams or Banarasis should be stored flat to prevent stretching or distortion of the fabric. Hanging them for a long time can lead to damage.

Conclusion

By following these saree care tips, you can ensure that your prized possessions remain in excellent condition for years to come. Remember, each saree is unique and may require specific care instructions, so always refer to the care labels provided by the manufacturer. With proper care and maintenance, your sarees will continue to shine and bring joy to your wardrobe.