How to maintain Silk Sarees ( Pattu Sarees)

Tips to maintain Silk Sarees

A Silk (pattu) saree in your wardrobe undoubtedly would be the most expensive dress. And not only this, it also has some memories attached to them. They may be your wedding silks, engagement sarees and one you were gifted for one of your relatives wedding. Behind every saree there is a tale to tell.

But if you have noticed, you do not get to wear these sarees often especially the ones with heavy jari work. So what happens if I do not use them often? Or if I do not use them often how do I maintain them? Maintenance is very important when it comes to your costly silk sarees. And lack of it made me lose a very beautiful saree. It was my engagement saree – called Vairu oosi silk. Something in the dark blue-violet color. I did not use it for many years and it was in the same bag in the alamerah for many years. One day I wanted to badly wear it and when I opened, I noticed that all the Zari’s stuck together and they started coming out. There were patches and patches in the saree without the zari portion. I was heart broken and I decided that I wouldn’t let that happen to any of my other sarees. Here are the tips. Now after following them for over years, I am happy to tell you that my sarees look fresh and I do not fear losing them.

How to maintain Silk Sarees

• In most of the cities you get cotton covers for Sarees. Place your Silk Sarees in them. The Sarees need to get fresh air as often as possible.

• Once in 3 months, dry the Silk Saree in an airy place. Do not dry them in hot sun as they would lose their color.

• Make sure that you do not fold the saree in the same fold as before. If the sarees are folded along the same lines as before, then over a period they would tear along that line.

• Do not hang the Silk Sarees in iron hangers. They may stain the sarees.

• Do not store the sarees in a suitcase. Make sure they are kept wrapped in a cotton cloth/cover and left on the cupboard/Alamerah directly on the shelf.

• Naphthalene balls should not be placed directly in contact with the Saree. These chemicals can harm the Saree and also stain them.

How to wash Silk Sarees

• Do not wash the sarees frequently. You could give them for dry cleaning but even lot of dry cleaning is not recommended.

• Use a mild soap, detergent.

• Do not wash in hot water. Use only cold water.

• Do not soak the sarees in detergent. Just apply a mild detergent and gently wash with hands.

• Do not squeeze or twist the sarees while washing. They should be handled as gently as possible.

• Do not use any brush. They may tear the Zari and leave unpleasant marks on the saree.

• Dry the saree immediately after washing. Do not squeeze the saree to remove water. As mentioned above, dry in a shady place and never directly under the hot sun.

• Always iron the sarees with medium heat. Do not iron along previous folding lines of the saree. 

• To remove stains,

o    as a first aid – use a paper towel or cotton cloth on the stain and absorb as much as you can before the stain dries on the saree. Wash the saree immediately after stain.

o    For hard stains, dry clean the saree. Dry cleaning is the safest method for hard stains. You will be required to be very careful while clearing hard stains at home.

o    You could use a mild stain remover. Do not apply the stain remover directly. First apply only on a small portion to see the results. Once you are satisfied, apply on larger areas.

o    All mid usual stains like sweat, blood, oil can be cleaned with mild detergent.

o    Try not to dry clean for every small stain.