How to wash cotton and silk saris at home?

In today’s new era, people have varied choices to choose from, but also have the liberty to shape every aspect of their life. Women, regardless of their origin have always given their clothing and styling pristine importance over other material wealth. Especially, women in India have always preferred so. They use a variety of clothes, the most popular of which is what you called a saree. According to ancient mythological scripts, a saree depicts a women’s respectful status in the society and the culture the country possesses.

Among all sarees, the cotton and silk sarees are often considered to be the most popular in their own rights due to their pristine and versatile features. The cotton sarees are often considered to be the best daily use wearable due to it being as “light as a feather” as well as it’s the durability that lasts ages. In the scorching heat of the summer season, the cotton saree is a lifesaver as it facilitates ventilation and cooling of sweat to prevent stickiness.

In contrast, the silk saree is considered to be the most intricately worked and blissful wear for any purposes. It is often considered as the “queen of all” when it comes to sarees.
With all positives come some essential measures for maintenance, including proper washing of the cotton and silk sarees at home. Now, let us know why the cotton and silk sarees should be maintained.

Why should the cotton and silk sarees be carefully preserved?

As with any other fabric textile, any saree faces the risk of detestation from several naturally occurring factors. Especially in the case of delicate fabrics such as cotton and silk, the risk diversifies. There is a substantial risk from insects such as moths, rodents and certain caterpillars that infests on the fine cotton and silk fabrics, as a result of which they get ruined.

Another factor is the accumulation of moisture in the rainy and humid days when the lack of ventilation causes microbes such as fungus to grow on the saree and over the time ruin its appearance. This effect is usually irreversible as the fungus infests on the fabric, eventually discolouring the fabric into grey and black patches.
Other existing risks include discolouration and bad odour in storing over the long run. Also, the use of hard water and improper detergents can destroy the fabric of the sarees over long term uses. Thus, the cotton and silk sarees should be cautiously maintained.
Now, let us have a look at the solution to these issues.

How to maintain and store the cotton and silk sarees properly?

The primary enemy of cotton and silk sarees is the infestation of insects and rodents. To prevent any such situation the sarees should be stored in a clean, ventilated space along with the addition of repellants such as camphor and other pest control measures. Additionally, space must be above the ground to prevent the reach of rodents.
For avoiding fungal growth and subsequent discolouration over the long run, store your sarees in a clean, well-ventilated space devoid of any moisture accumulation. Also, make sure to store your sarees in a completely dry state.
Make sure to use standard quality detergents and if possible soft water to clean your sarees at home. Also, it is best to avoid the use of machines to wash intricate fabrics such as cotton and silk and prefer either hand washing or dry cleaning for the best results.
Now, let us have a look at the prescribed procedure of washing cotton and silk sarees at home.

Steps of washing cotton and silk sarees at home-

  • Washing of cotton and silk sarees at home requires utmost care and attention for which the following steps must be followed.
  • Prior to washing a cotton saree, allow it to soak in a bucket of lukewarm water enriched with mineral salt for 15 minutes approx. This prevents any possible microbial growth as well as helps to maintain the intricate fabric of the saree.
  • In case of a silk saree, never machine wash nor use any hard detergent as it is harmful to the intricate nature of the silk fabric. Most preferably use dry cleaning for washing your silk sarees.
  • While washing cotton sarees, make sure to use a mild detergent and try to avoid handling it in a vigorous manner.
  • Always use “starch” for cotton sarees to ensure they maintain their crisp and shiny appearance.
  • For silk sarees, make sure to wipe and clean any stains with cold water immediately to prevent irreversible stains.
  • For both cotton and the silk sarees, allow the saree to dry in shade as drying in direct sun may cause prominent discolouration as well as ruin the texture of the saree.
  • Most essentially, make sure to store your silk and cotton sarees in a well ventilated and dry storage.

Choose the best for getting the best product:

Although all the above factors are necessary while you choose what saree you should wear, the most essential factor is the essence of the product; it’s a genuineness to ensure all your requirements. “The Vama” stands as a premium site for genuine, traditional handloom as well as numerous varieties of sarees. It is one of the market leaders in India’s eastern state of West Bengal and consists of the best products available, prepared extensively keeping quality in mind and perfection as an inference to ensure you get all of your desired provisions.