We all quite know that wardrobe of women in our state and even throughout India is decorated by plenty of beautiful and rich silk sarees.Silk sarees require handling with a lot of attention and care as they are extremely delicate. These sarees are easily susceptible to environmental corrosion, staining and wear & tear and maintaining them can be quite tricky.
WASHING A HANDLOOM SILK SAREE:
Avoid soap for the first 2-3 washes, simply rinse in cold water.
Use mild detergent for subsequent washes.
Wash the pallu, border and body separately.
Avoid washing the saree with other material or bright colours.
You can use a protein shampoo with warm/cold water. The shampoo protein will feed the protein in the silk.
Avoid bundling up, twisting or wringing the silk saree.
Do not use a brush, even for stains, as it can easily tear the fabric.
Always use cold water. Remember, handloom sarees are very delicate.
Avoid washing expensive sarees in washing machine.
DRYING :
Dry the saree immediately after washing.
Wrap the saree in dry, light coloured towels to remove excess moisture.
Avoid direct sunlight as it might lead to fabric discoloration.
Spread it out fully in single length and hang it.
Always dry your saree separately.
IRONING:
Never spray water on it before ironing.
Always keep the saree on an ironing board and place a thin cotton cloth above the saree and iron.
Keep the iron in medium to low heat and press the saree.
STORE / PLACEMENT:
Always keep the saree wrapped in Muslin cloth or pure cotton which lets the air to pass through but protects the saree from moisture.
It is best to store them in dark and dry place to avoid the discoloration or fading.
Best way to store a silk saree wrinkle and crease free is to hang it on a hanger.
Keep it away from your regular clothes.
Preferably once a month, change the saree folds to avoid creases.
REMOVING STAINS:
Stained silk must be dry-cleaned as soon as possible.
Accidental stains -wash with cold water immediately.
Hard stains -soak the stained area with petrol and brush with a soft cloth.
Oily stains / Greasy stains - sprinkle talcum powder on it and waitand then rub it gently and wash it off.
Lipstick stains- use dry-cleaning fluids, followed by washing soap and water.
Beverages or gravy stains -dip a cotton ball in pure petrol and wipe it off.