Caring for Your Womaniya Saree

Why Handloom Needs Special Care

Handwoven sarees — whether Jamdani, Tant, Muslin, or Kantha silk — are made from natural fibres on traditional looms by skilled artisans. Unlike mill-made fabrics, handloom has a distinctive texture, a natural lustre, and a gentle hand-feel that should be preserved with mindful care. The good news: handloom only gets softer and more beautiful with every careful wash.

Washing Your Saree

**For Jamdani and fine Muslin sarees:** - Always **hand wash** — machine washing risks snagging the delicate motifs - Use **cold water only** — hot water weakens the fine threads and causes shrinkage - Dissolve a small amount of **mild, pH-neutral detergent** (Ezee, Genteel, or baby shampoo) in water before adding the saree - Gently **swish and press** — never scrub, rub, or wring - Rinse thoroughly with cold water until all soap is removed - Gently **squeeze** (never twist) to remove excess water, then roll in a clean white towel

**For Tant (cotton handloom) sarees:** - These are slightly more robust and can be hand-washed or machine-washed on the **delicate/gentle cycle** - Place inside a **mesh laundry bag** before putting in the machine - Use cold water and a gentle detergent - Avoid spin cycles above 400 RPM — excess centrifugal force damages the weave structure

**For Kantha silk and Baluchari sarees:** - Hand wash only, or opt for **professional dry cleaning** - If hand washing, use the gentlest touch — these silks are delicate and precious - Never soak for more than 5 minutes

Drying

• Always dry **in the shade** — direct sunlight fades natural and vegetable dyes over time and weakens the fibre
• Hang from the shoulder seam or lay flat on a clean dry towel
• **Never hang from a single clip or peg on the hem** — the weight of the wet fabric will stretch the border
• Keep away from the tumble dryer entirely — heat damages handloom fibres and causes permanent shrinkage
• If possible, dry flat for Jamdani and Muslin pieces to preserve their drape

Ironing & Pressing

• Iron on **medium-low heat** while the fabric is still slightly damp for the smoothest results
• Always iron on the **reverse (wrong) side** to protect the surface and any woven motifs
• For Jamdani: place a thin **cotton muslin cloth** between the iron and the fabric to protect the intricate threadwork
• Never iron directly over any embroidery, sequins, or embellishments
• For silk sarees: use the lowest heat setting and a pressing cloth — silk scorches easily
• Avoid steam irons on very fine Muslin — the steam can cause water marks

Storing Your Saree

Proper storage is as important as proper washing:

• Store only when the saree is **completely clean and bone dry** — even slight dampness can cause mildew
• Fold neatly and store inside a **soft cotton muslin bag** (the ones we pack our sarees in are perfect for this)
• Avoid plastic bags and airtight containers — synthetic materials trap moisture and can damage natural fibres over time
• Add a **neem leaf sachet, cedar block, or lavender pouch** to deter moths and silverfish naturally — avoid synthetic moth balls as the chemicals can damage natural fibres
• **Refold along slightly different lines** every 3–4 months to prevent permanent crease marks from forming along the same fold
• Heavier silk sarees can be rolled onto acid-free tissue rather than folded flat

Colour Care

• Natural and vegetable-dyed fabrics — which we use across many of our collections — may release a small amount of dye in the **first 1–2 washes**. This is completely normal.
• Always **wash separately** for the first 3–4 washes
• Avoid prolonged soaking, which can cause colour bleeding
• If washing with other garments later, group by colour family

Blouse Piece Care

The blouse piece included with your saree follows the same care guidelines as the saree itself. If you have had your blouse stitched, follow the care instructions appropriate to any additional fabric (lining, padding) added by your tailor.

When to Dry Clean

Professional dry cleaning is only necessary for: - Structured or heavily embellished pieces (zari, heavy embroidery, sequins) - Very old or heirloom sarees - Pieces with complex pleating or construction

If you do dry clean, always inform the professional that the garment is **handwoven natural fibre** so they use appropriate solvents.