With proper care and attention, Silk Sarees and products with yarns of other construction can be preserved for ages without losing its lustre or freshness. Follow the directions below carefully and your Silk Saree would last longer with the same sheen as a new one!
Silks:
Never Machine-wash a sari. A Saree should be either delicately hand washed or dry cleaned. If you choose to wash the saree at home please wash a very small corner of the saree as a test for fabric and colors running ( must be done for all colors on the same saree independently.
1. Dry-Cleaning is Preferable
generally silk sarees should be dry cleaned. In hand washing, the consistency
of the silk may be altered, depending on the finishing treatment used to give
it sheen and the colour may run. Chlorine bleach damages silk and causes it to
yellow.
2. Washing Silks
Certain pre-wash techniques have made certain silks washable. Check a small
corner of the product as at test . After washing, one should roll
in a white towel to remove the excess moisture, and then hang dry on a
padded hanger.
3. Stains
Below mentioned techniques are only suggestions, taking the help of a professional launderer is recommended.
Stained silk sarees should be dry-cleaned as soon as possible. Dyes and
sizing’s tend to discolour with moisture. Therefore attempting to remove stains
with water is not recommended without first testing the silk for
colourfastness. It is difficult to remove a concentrated food or beverage
stain. Scrubbing or pressing could ruin the fabric.
Protein Stains: These stains include blood, deodorant, egg, meat juices and
perspiration. To clear such stains, first apply detergent to the garment. Then
it should be soaked in cool water and laundered. In case of persistent stains,
try rubbing a mixture with few drops of Nh2 with hydrogen peroxide.
Combination Stains: These stains include chocolate, gravy, ice cream and milk.
First a dry-clean solvent should be applied and then dried. The protein part of
the stain supplement can be removed by applying liquid detergent and rinsing
with cool water. Then after using a prewash stain remover, wash silk fabric in
lukewarm water.
Nail polish Stain: This can to be treated by rubbing acetone on the area.
Lipstick Stains: First use Dry-cleaning fluids and then
washing in soap water used to remove lipstick stains.
Grease: oils, butter, margarine, crayon, medicines and oil-based cosmetics
usually cause these stains. Dabbing on talc immediately will lift the stain.
After brushing off the talc, a stain remover can be applied and the silk fabric
should washed in lukewarm water.
Any stain removal procedures may affect the original colors and fabrics may get damaged!
ACETATE
Most acetate garments should be dry-cleaned. Some knits are washable. If laundering is indicated, use the following guide:
Hand wash in warm water with mild suds.
Do not twist or wring out the garment.
Do not soak coloured items.
Press while damp on the wrong side with a cool iron. If finishing the right side use a pressing cloth.
Circular knits should be laid flat to dry.
For specific instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
Note: acetone and other organic solvents, such as nail polish remover and perfumes containing such solvents, adversely affect Acetate.
ACRYLIC
Acrylic garments may be washed or dry cleaner.
When machine washing, use warm water setting and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle.
Machine dry at low temperature. Remove from dyer as soon as garments are dry.
Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Static electricity is reduced by using A fabric softener in every third or fourth washing. Gently squeeze out water, smooth or shake out garment and let dry on a non-rust hanger. Sweaters and circular knits have to be dried flat.
If ironing is required, use moderately warm iron.
For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
COTTON
Cotton can be easily laundered. It can withstand high temperatures (boiling water does not hurt the fibre).
Any good detergent can be used to wash cotton.
Chlorine bleach can be used safely on cotton whites. Use color safe bleach on dyed cottons.
Since cotton, fibres are inelastic cotton fabrics may wrinkle easily. In addition, fabric may need frequent pressing.
However, cotton fabric can be treated with a wrinkle resistant finish to create a more resilient fabric/garment. The label will tell you if this finish has been applied.
A higher heat setting is needed in the dryer to dry cotton. Cotton will take much longer to dry than less absorbent fibres.
Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily
For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
LINEN
Some linen is washable, while others are dry clean only. Be sure to check the label.
Washable household linen, handkerchiefs, and linen apparel can be washed easily and become softer with use.
White linens should be dried in the sun, if to help them to keep their whiteness.
Dry cleaning is recommended for drapery linens, upholstery linens and decorative linens.
Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless treated for crease resistance. (Permanent press and soil release finishes are now being used effectively on 65% linen/35% polyester tablecloths, napkins and placemats.)
For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
MICRO-FIBERS
Acrylic, nylon and polyester micro-fibres are machine washable, machine dryable or dry cleanable
Follow the instructions for washing fabrics consisting of these individual fibres.
For specific instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
NYLON
Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at low temperatures.
Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. To minimize static electricity use a dyer sheet when machine drying. Remove articles from the dyer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed. If ironing is required, use a warm iron. For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
POLYESTER
Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried. Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. Machine dry at low temperature setting and remove articles as soon as the tumbling cycle is complete. If ironing is needed, use a moderately warm iron. Most items made from polyester can be dry-cleaned. For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
RAYON
Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine-washed. For washable items, use the following as a guide: Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article. Smooth or shake out the article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry. Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used. Between wearing, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron. For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
SPANDEX
Hand or machine, wash in lukewarm water.
Do not use chlorine bleach on any fabric containing spandex. Use color safe bleach only.
Rinse thoroughly.
Drip dry. If machine drying, use low temperature setting.
If ironing is required, iron rapidly and do not leave the iron in one place too long. Use a low temperature setting on the iron.
For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
TRIACETATE
Pleated garments are best hand laundered. Most other garments containing 100% triacetate can be machine-washed.
If ironing is needed, a high temperature setting may be used.
Articles containing triacetate require little care due mainly to the fibres’ resistance to high temperature. For specific instructions, you can always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
WOOL
Give wool garments a 24-hour rest between wearing. Hang on shaped or padded hangers, leaving lots of space. In general, wool fibres will shed wrinkles and return to their original shape
Empty pockets, remove belts and hang with closures zipped and buttoned.
Fold knits.
Brush wool to remove surface soil. Use a damp sponge for knits and finer fabrics.
Refresh wool garments quickly after wearing or unpacking by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature away from heat. If there is a nap, brush with the nap.
Remove spots and stains promptly.
Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.
Dry clean once a season (or when stained), and especially before storing.
Always steam when pressing wool. Use the wool setting. Avoid pressing wool totally dry. When possible, press on the reverse side of the fabric. When necessary to press on the right side, use a press cloth to avoid a shine. Lower and lift the iron, do not slide it back and forth. Prevent imprinting inside detail by placing a piece of brown paper or tissue paper under folds, seams or darts.
