Caring for Your Handloom & Embroidered Pieces

A well-made ethnic outfit can last for years — or for decades, if you take care of it the right way. Here's how to keep your Chanderi, cotton silk, velvet, and embroidered pieces looking as good as the day you bought them.

General Rules for All Fabrics

• Dry clean, don't machine wash — especially anything with embroidery, sequins, mirror work, or zari. Machine agitation is the #1 cause of loosened threadwork and pulled sequins.
• Store on padded hangers, not wire ones, to avoid shoulder creasing and stretching — particularly important for heavier pieces like velvet.
• Keep away from direct sunlight when drying or storing, since UV exposure fades embroidery and printed colors faster than you'd expect.

Chanderi Silk

• Dry clean only; avoid excessive folding, which can crease the delicate weave permanently.
• Iron on low heat with a cloth barrier between the iron and fabric to protect the sheen.
• Store folded with acid-free tissue between layers if stacking multiple pieces.

Cotton Silk

• Can usually tolerate a gentle hand wash in cold water if there's no heavy embroidery — but always check the care label first.
• Iron on medium heat while slightly damp for the crispest finish.
• Avoid wringing; instead, roll in a towel to remove excess water before air-drying flat.

Velvet

• Never machine wash or wring — velvet's pile is easily crushed and doesn't recover well.
• Store on padded hangers, never folded, to avoid permanent crush marks.
• If the pile looks flattened after storage, a light steam (holding the steamer a few inches away, not touching) usually revives it.

Embroidered & Embellished Pieces

• Turn inside out before dry cleaning to protect embroidery from friction.
• Store individually rather than stacked, so embellishments on one piece don't snag another.
• For minor loose threads, snip close to the fabric rather than pulling — pulling can unravel an entire embroidered motif.

Between Wears

Even without washing, air out your outfit for a few hours after wearing before storing it away — this helps prevent trapped moisture and odor, especially important during humid or festive-season months when garments are worn back-to-back.

Taking the extra few minutes for proper care means your festive pieces stay photo-ready for every season to come, not just the one you bought them for.