Saree care

Silk

Dry clean only. Never spot-clean zari with water. Store wrapped in a clean cotton cloth, not plastic, and refold along different lines every few months so the creases do not set and cut the zari.

Cotton and linen

Hand wash the first three times in cold water with a mild detergent, separately, because natural dyes release a little colour at first. After that most cottons and linens take a gentle machine cycle. Dry in shade - direct sun fades natural dye quickly.

Ironing

Iron cotton and linen while slightly damp. Iron silk on the reverse, on low heat, with a cloth between the iron and the zari.

Starch

Light rice starch is traditional for cotton and gives back the crispness a new saree has. Avoid starch on silk entirely.