Handloom sarees are woven thread by thread on traditional looms, which gives them a texture and durability that power-loomed fabric can’t quite match. That same craftsmanship means they reward a little extra care at home.
“Handloom fabric is forgiving if you’re gentle with it, and unforgiving if you’re not.”
Do dry clean silk and zari-bordered sarees, especially for the first two or three washes, until you know how the colours and border hold up. For cotton handloom sarees, a gentle hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent is usually safe once the saree has been worn a few times.
Don’t wring a wet saree to remove water — twisting the fabric strains the weave and can distort the border. Instead, roll it gently in a dry towel to absorb excess moisture, then hang it in the shade to dry, never in direct sunlight, which fades colour fast.
Store your sarees folded along different lines each time you wear them, to avoid permanent crease marks, and wrap zari or embroidered pieces in muslin cloth rather than plastic, which can trap moisture and yellow the fabric over time.
