Handloom Fabric Care | Priyaodisha.com

Caring for Your Handloom

Every Priyadarshini Handloom piece is woven by hand on a traditional loom, often using natural and hand-dyed yarns. With a little care, your Sambalpuri, Bomkai, Kotpad, Khandua or dress-material handloom will stay supple, hold its colour and grow more beautiful with the years. This guide brings together our general care advice along with fibre-specific notes for silk, cotton and tussar handlooms.

General First-Wash Care

The first wash matters most. Handwoven fabrics and natural dyes settle gradually, so treat the early washes gently.

  • For the first two or three washes, dry-clean your saree or hand-wash it separately so colours do not transfer to other garments.
  • Always wash a handloom on its own, never with other clothes, especially in the early washes.
  • Use cold or lukewarm water and a mild, liquid detergent. Avoid harsh powders, bleach, optical whiteners and strong stain removers.
  • Do not soak for more than 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Never scrub or brush the fabric, and do not wring or twist it harshly. Press the water out gently instead.
  • Rinse thoroughly in cold water until the water runs clear and no detergent remains.

Fibre-Specific Care

Silk Handlooms

Silk sarees, including Sambalpuri silk, Bomkai and Khandua silk, are best protected by gentle handling.

  • Dry-cleaning is the safest choice for pure silk, particularly for richly woven or zari-detailed pieces.
  • If you prefer to hand-wash, use cold water and a small quantity of a mild detergent made for delicates. Do not soak.
  • Do not rub or scrub. Gently swirl the saree in the water and rinse well in cold water.
  • Lift the saree out without wringing, and let excess water drip away naturally.
  • Keep silk away from perfume, deodorant and hairspray, which can mark the fabric.

Cotton Handlooms

Handwoven cotton sarees and dress material are sturdier than silk but still benefit from gentle care.

  • Hand-wash separately in cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
  • For the first wash, you may add a little rock salt to the water to help fix the natural dyes.
  • Wash gently by hand; avoid machine wash, especially in the early washes. If you must machine-wash later, use a delicate or hand-wash cycle in a mesh bag.
  • Do not wring hard. Squeeze out the water gently and reshape the fabric before drying.

Tussar and Tussar-Silk Handlooms

Tussar (wild silk) has a beautiful natural texture and sheen, and it is more delicate than cultivated silk.

  • Dry-cleaning is strongly recommended for tussar and tussar-silk, as the yarn can lose body if washed carelessly.
  • If hand-washing occasionally, use cold water and a very mild detergent, handle as little as possible, and never soak.
  • Do not scrub, wring or brush; the fibres can rough up or weaken when handled roughly.
  • Always dry tussar flat or on a wide support in the shade to help it keep its natural drape.

Drying

  • Always dry your handloom in the shade. Direct sunlight can fade natural dyes and weaken the fibres.
  • Dry in a well-ventilated, airy spot. Hang silk and tussar over a wide rod or a clean cloth-covered line so the weight is supported and the fabric does not stretch.
  • Turn the saree inside out while drying to protect the surface and the woven motifs.
  • Avoid clip-on pegs that can leave marks; if you must use them, place a soft cloth in between.

Ironing

  • Iron while the fabric is slightly damp, or use a light spray of water for a smooth finish.
  • Use a low to medium heat setting. Choose the silk setting for silk and tussar, and a slightly higher cotton setting for cotton handlooms.
  • Always iron inside-out, on the reverse side, to protect the weave, the zari and any raised motifs.
  • Place a thin protective cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric, especially over zari or embroidery.
  • Do not iron directly over zari, hooks or embellishments.

Storage

  • Make sure the saree is completely dry before you store it; even slight dampness can cause mildew and odour.
  • Fold the saree loosely and wrap it in a clean, soft cotton cloth or a muslin saree bag. Avoid storing handloom in plastic, which traps moisture and prevents the fabric from breathing.
  • Refold your sarees along different lines every few months so the same crease does not weaken the fabric, and avoid hanging them for long periods, which can stretch the weave.
  • Air your stored sarees periodically in the shade to keep them fresh and free of moisture.
  • Keep storage areas cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and damp. You may use neem leaves or naphthalene balls to guard against insects; if using naphthalene, keep it from touching the fabric directly.

A Note on Handloom Character

Because every piece is handwoven and often coloured with natural or hand-applied dyes, minor colour bleed in the first few washes is normal and settles over time. Small irregularities in the weave, slight variations in motif and gentle differences in shade are natural marks of a genuine handloom and not defects. They are part of what makes each piece one of a kind.

Questions About Care

If you are unsure how to care for a particular saree or fabric, we are glad to help. Write to us at hello@priyaodisha.com or call +91 89175 05059, or visit our Contact Us page, and our team will guide you.