Tips to keep Silk Sarees as Good as New

Trust me with the offices opening up and hybrid mode on - nothing is in place and we have things going anywhere and everywhere. Since the last month, I have not got much time to finish this part of my article. I have tried to get the information in place and all I was required to draft a beautiful piece.  Well, my bad luck I was not able to find time. 

We just simply love our sarees - don't we? And when we talk of silk sarees there are so many Kancheepuram, Banarasi, Tussar, Ikat, Patola, South Indian silks, Kalamkaris, Berhampuri, Gadwal, Baluchari, Jamdani all are the crown jewels of Indian ethnic wear. But the toughest part is finding the correct ways to preserve these jewels in our wardrobe. </p>

After all, these sarees are of silk types and you can't simply mention anything very vain or elusive. So in today's blog, we will discuss the best practices to preserve pure silk sarees as good as new. For these, we have chosen three major silk fabrics and we will show how you can take good care of them.

Best Practices to Preserve a Silk Saree As Good As New

Well, the step-by-step guide of my begins here. I have explicitly described some of the best practices which would be hard for all of us to ignore when it comes to silk cotton or silks.

Well, the step-by-step guide of my begins here. I have explicitly described some of the best practices which would be hard for all of us to ignore when it comes to silk cotton or silks.


1. Try not to apply perfumes, deodorants, or other types of sprays directly onto your silk sarees.

2. Say a big NO to naphthalene balls and other artificial insect repellents in direct contact with your silk sarees.

3. Avoid washing these sarees too frequently as they tend to lose their sheen from over-wash.

4. I will advise you to dry them well after every wear and wear them a few more times before washing.

5. Do not do your makeup after wearing your sarees. As makeup stains are very difficult to remove

6. In case if you sweat a lot, it may leave stains on your sarees. To avoid this, always wear sweat-absorbing pads under your blouses.

7. Always consult the saree seller about the best ways to care for your silk sarees. Expert advice is never to fail.

8. If you notice a flaw/tear/lose embellishment, immediately get it fixed professionally.

Unique Silk Mark silk Sarees Which Can be Any Day Showstopper

How to Preserve Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees

No doubt this is one of the popular silk sarees that often make you look like the queen of heaven! Kanjeevaram sarees are also known as Kanchipuram sarees as those are made in the Kanchipuram region of Tamil Nadu. It is the work of fine quality zari that makes these sarees not only popular among Indian women but also among foreigners.

Earlier, silver and gold zari was used as this saree a wear of the royalty. Today, the fabric zari is used to make the sarees a bit more reasonable for all. 

Still, the silk weave of precision in these sarees is so intricate that the price is quite high for an original Kanjeevaram Saree. 

From us to celebrities, Kanjeevaram silks are highly popular among women and these are so gorgeous that you can wear them on occasions like weddings, baby showers, etc. Fine quality silk is used in making this saree, but as zari work is combined, the Kanjeevaram saree is a bit weighty. So make sure you don't do all these:

1. DO NOT machine wash or hand wash kanjeevarams, try out a professional dry cleaner

2. DO NOT iron them

3. Keep it wrapped in muslin clothes to protect it from the outside moisture if you stay in a humid climate

How to Preserve Baluchari Silk Sarees

While talking about silk sarees, we can’t miss out on the Baluchari sarees of West Bengal. Baluchari Saree holds the GI mark in West Bengal and the exclusiveness you can find in this saree is not available anywhere. 

 A piece of Baluchari saree is mainly weaved by the weavers of the Bishnupur and Bankura Districts of West Bengal. Usually, these sarees hold a story from mythology and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The pallus are clad with designs of animals, flowers, royal courts, etc. 

 Usually, a weaver takes nearly a month to weave one piece of Baluchari saree. So, paying for it is worth to respect their dedication and hard work. condition. But make sure you do not tamper with the saree, so follow these steps to keep it good as new:

1. Keep neem leaves to keep away pests from these sarees for their natural colors

2. Make sure you do not iron them and even if you do it is done at low heat

3. From time to time, change the saree folds to avoid creases that can wear and tear the fabric

How to Preserve Banarasi Silk Sarees

No matter what kind of Banarasi you wear - whether it is a Tussar, Georgette, Katan, Organza, or maybe a Chiffon Banarasi you cannot ignore the amazing zari work that the artisans have put into it. And You just can't stop admiring it, right?

If you cannot stop admiring it means you would not be reckless about caring for a banarasi saree - This saree requires little introduction as the wedding in India remains incomplete without a piece of zari-worked Banarasi saree. Usually, silver and gold zari is used to make the designs throughout the saree. It is a priced piece of saree that you can have in your collection. It is pricy and elegant and can make every woman look outstanding on their wedding day.

But how to take its ultimate care? Here are some pro tips:

1. Never use dyes, bleach, or harsh stain removers on delicate fabrics. Don’t let the soap stay on the garment for long. Wash it off quickly Try not to bundle up the saree while washing it because it may lead to creasing

2.  Avoid wringing the saree as that can create it

3. Avoid painted surfaces, window sills, fences, or rusty clothes racks as they may stain the fabric

EXTRA TIPS FOR WASHING SILK SAREE


1. Never hand wash or machine wash silk sarees. Go for dry cleaning by professionals.

2. If there is a stain, use water to wash it off immediately.

SPECIAL TIPS TO IRON A SILK SAREE

Always iron silk sarees on low or medium heat. The best is to follow the temperature setting meant for silk as per instruction on your iron.

How to Store a Silk Cotton Saree

It is similar to the preserving ideas in handloom cotton saree storage, in the earlier blog - but with few of these exceptions.

1. Keep any handloom saree wrapped in a Muslin cloth or pure cotton cloth which lets the air pass through but protects the saree from moisture.

2. Keep the handloom saree away from your regular clothes, preferably in a long-term storage spot since it’s for special occasions and regular handling can leave unwanted spots on it.

Wrapping Up

If you have loved the information which I have shared - try to spread it to the saree lover's community out there! Let them know how to preserve their drapes crafted with love and passion. 

About the author

Sumana Bhattacharya completed her Masters in Economics from the University of Calcutta & was working with the Department of Education, Govt. of West Bengal to provide training to the teachers in Government Schools. She moved to USA in 2005 after getting married & is the mother of 2 kids. She is the one that drives IndyVogue every day, every hour, every minute and every second. Salute to her and her undying spirit.