How to care for silk sarees at home

Silk sarees are delicate, and they are an heirloom that should be washed and cared for with utmost gentleness. Like human hair, Silk sarees have protein in them, and if any harsh washing substance is used on the silk saree, it will wear and tear with time.  

This blog mentions how to take care of and wash a silk saree at home. Keep your favourite silk saree with love and care at home to relish the silk saree for a long time. 

There are various types of silk sarees, like Kanjivaram silk, Mysore silk, Gadwal silk, Upadda, Banarasi, Chanderi, and many more. Silk sarees need cool places to thrive and to be soft for a long time. Explore more about how to take care of a silk saree below.

How you should wash a silk saree at home

Silk sarees are one of the most delicate and fragile sarees, and should not be washed very frequently, as the saree may get worn out over time for washing or dry cleaning.

Washing a silk saree at home with liquid detergent: For a silk saree to stay soft and in mint condition for a long time, a very mild liquid washing detergent should be used, like baby shampoo; any harsh detergents or strong bleaches should be avoided at all costs.

Hand-washing a silk saree: To wash a silk saree by hand, the saree should be immersed in a bucket with cold water and gently cleansed. Then the saree should be whisked gently for almost 1 to 2 minutes and let the saree soak for 5 minutes.

Drying the silk saree: Then the silk saree should be rinsed until all the foamy residue is drained. Finally, drying the silk saree is the most important part. Completely avoid twisting the saree as the threads and the zari work get damaged. Instead of damaging the silk saree, gently press it to let the water drip, then lay the saree on a dry towel to let the excess water get absorbed. Then the saree should be hung to dry completely in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight. 

How to Store a Silk Saree at Home 

To keep your elegant silk saree in a premium condition, it should always be stored in a cool, dry place, and it should be wrapped in mulmul cotton or any cotton cloth. To prevent it from creasing at the fold, the saree should be refolded every 3 to 6 months. Here, we show the dos and don’ts for a silk saree before and after storage.

Before Storing Your Silk Saree: Do's and Don'ts 

Do’s

• Dry-cleaning: After wearing the silk saree almost 5 to 6 times, it should always be professionally dry-cleaned. Any oils, sweat, or perfume may affect the colour of the silk and attract various insects.

Don’ts

• No perfume: Never use any perfumes directly on the silk, as it may damage the delicate threads and fabric of the silk saree.

How to Keep Silk Sarees in the Wardrobe 

Do’s

• Use Mulmul or Muslin cotton cloth: The silk saree should be wrapped in a light, unbleached cotton cloth or a cotton bag to keep it breathable even when stored.

• Acid-free tissue: Any acid-free tissue should be used between the folds of sarees so that the zari work and heavy embroideries do not rub against each other or tangle with the silk threads. 

Don’ts

• Avoid any plastic: A silk saree should never be wrapped or kept in plastic, as it traps the moisture of the fabric, which oxidises the zari work, the fabric gets yellow, and it is caused by mildew.

• Avoid pins and jewellery: Attaching any pins, brooches, and jewellery to the silk saree may damage the silk and might cause micro-tears in the fabric.

While ironing, using the lowest heat for a silk saree is the best option, or set it in the silk setting. Avoid ironing directly on the silk as it may damage the fabric. Apply heat while placing a clean cotton cloth between the iron and the saree. 

How to maintain your Silk saree at home

Is it better to hand or fold a silk saree

Don’t hang a silk saree, but fold it. A silk saree should always be folded and stored flat. If a heavy Zari-worked silk saree, like a Kanjivaram silk saree, is hung, the heavy weight of the saree can pull and tear the silk itself. And if it's really urgent, a silk saree can be hung for a short period of time; padded hangers must be used to equally distribute the weight and avoid stretching. 

Every silk saree should not be stored the same way; heavy silk sarees like Kanjivaram, Baluchari, Banarasi, and more are best folded as they have thick zari work borders. Light silk sarees like Chanderi, Organza, Tussar silk sarees, and more can be hung as these have lightweight silk fabrics.

How to keep silk sarees cool and safe in the wardrobe

As it is mentioned above, when storing a silk saree in a wardrobe or a cool, dry place, each saree should be wrapped with a clean cotton cloth separately.

Then comes what to keep with a silk saree in a wardrobe: using naphthalene balls to keep the pests away, but direct contact should be strictly avoided as it may discolour the zari work on the silk saree.

 Instead, dry neem leaves are a much better option as they have natural anti-pest and anti-fungal components.

A silk saree should be kept in a cool, dry place to prevent discolouring and fading of the silk saree.

Conclusion

Everyone chooses quality over quantity, and silk sarees are the premium and elegant sarees that need maintenance to keep them in mint condition for a long time. Silk sarees should not be washed frequently; a better option is to dry-clean the saree when needed. 

Bhojraj provides you with the best high-quality and authentic handcrafted fabric sarees, starting from auspicious shades to intricately detailed zari work on the border, which need a little bit of maintenance to keep the silk saree thriving.

This blog gives you an insight into how to care for a silk saree at home without any professional help. Follow the steps and tips to become an expert on how to keep silk sarees top-notch for a long time.

FAQ’S

Can I wash 100% silk at home?

Yes, 100% silk can be washed at home. Hand-washing silk is the best option for the safety of the silk fabric, instead of giving it to any dry cleaning shop.

Which washing liquid is best for silk saree?

The perfect washing liquid for a silk saree is mild, bleach-free concentrations like baby shampoo, to avoid damaging the silk and the zari work on the saree.

How can I wash a silk saree at home?

Hand washing a silk saree at home is the best option: agitate the silk saree in cold water with mild washing liquid in it, leave it for almost 5 minutes, and then gently rinse it in another cold water bucket.