How to wash Silk Sarees at Home

How to Wash Silk Sarees at Home


The wedding season and festivities bring out the most beautiful silk sarees from our wardrobe. After garnering all the compliments and clicking zillion selfies with loved ones, you are back to the pavilion thinking about how to wash your prized possession and store it well for the next shaadi season.

The silk saree is a timeless treasure. In cooler climates, its insulating properties keep you warm. Silk also transports moisture, which is why wearing a silk saree on a hot summer day feels refreshing. Our sarees are bound to get dirty with perspiration stains or with dust around. It becomes imperative to clean them well before storing them properly. And dry cleaning your luxurious silk saree is not the only option.

What if we tell you that you can safely wash your silk saree at home?

We have come up with this super helpful blog post for you. It will explain how to wash your silk saree at home.

Let's dive in.


Things to keep in mind before washing Silk Sarees

Dry Clean Only: One must read the washing instructions provided by the maker. Some sarees strictly need to be dry cleaned only.

Colour fastness test: Take an edge of your saree and dip it in water to test if it bleeds.

Washing your Silk Saree:

An easy step-by-step guide to mastering the art of washing silk sarees at home:


1. Soak:


Fill your bucket with cold water, then submerge your silk saree inside out. Always remember that hand-washing the saree in cold water is the best option. Make sure to clean the fall part of the saree as it gets the dirtiest.

Tip:
To clean more thoroughly, add two tablespoons of white vinegar to a bucket of water and mix it. Soak your silk saree for 15-20 minutes in the solution.
Rinsing with white vinegar is a little-known trick, it leaves silk sarees lustrous and ensures that they retain their polish and shine.


2. Detergent:


When it comes to washing your silk saree, a high-quality liquid detergent, or a mild shampoo is your best bet. It's always recommended to check if the detergent you're using contains bleach and has anti-colour fading properties. Stir a few detergents drops into the water before immersing your saree. Soak your saree in this bucket.

Tip:
Soap nuts instead of Detergents:
Soak 5-6 Soap nuts/ Ritha in lukewarm water overnight. Boil them with little water the next morning. Let this mixture cool. Add half of this liquid to a bucket half filled with water. Submerge your saree into this mixture for 20 minutes. Now rinse it with plain water. This a simple solution if you don't want to use detergents for your silk sarees.

3. Drain and Rinse

Remove your saree from the bucket, drain the water, and rinse under cold water until the detergent is completely removed.

4. Dry your Saree

Now it's time to dry your saree.
● Make sure that you don't squeeze the silk saree.
● Dry it under a shade instead of direct sunlight.
● Inspect every nook and corner of your silk saree to ensure it is dry and free of moisture.

4 Tips to wash silk sarees at home


Tips for those emergencies

Food stain: Put tissue paper beneath the affected area. Rub Toothpaste with a finger on the affected area. Now run water over the area to clean it thoroughly.

Your homemade Stain remover: Mix 4 tbs white vinegar and 4 tbs dishwashing liquid in ¾ cup water.
Prepare this mixture for emergency situations. Effective on lipstick stains.
Put tissue paper beneath the affected area, and spray the solution. Use Cotton to dab and clean. Then wash under tap water.

The care of your silk saree does not end with the wash cycle. Your silk sarees need special care.
Let's keep the following points in mind while drying and ironing your saree.
● You must avoid using the dryer.
● Turn your silk saree inside out and iron on a low setting.
● Only iron your silk saree when it is completely dry, and always use a cloth between the fabric and the iron.


Storing your lustrous Silk Sarees:

1. Silk sarees should not be stored together or with other sarees. Friction between the sarees can be damaging. Instead, store each silk saree in the cupboard wrapped in a muslin cloth or brown paper or in a readymade saree bag.

2. Hanging your silk sarees is an excellent idea. Metal hangers, on the other hand, should be avoided because they can react with silk sarees and cause damage.

3. Avoid storing your silk sarees in damp cupboards, which can lead to fungus or silverfish infestation. Keep silica gel sachets and naphthalene balls close to your silk sarees. But make sure that those balls are stored in small pouches and avoid direct contact with your silk saree.

We hope you found these recommendations helpful.

Washing your silk saree at home is not as daunting as it sounds. It can be done with a simple trick that also reduces your dependency on the dry cleaner and saves you from extra expenses.

Try our tips and do let us know if they worked for you!

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