Why specialist dry cleaning

Indian sarees — particularly silks, organza, georgettes with zari work, and any embroidered or hand-embellished piece — are sensitive to:

— Standard washing machines (agitation damages fibres and embroidery)
— Hot water (silk shrinks, colours bleed)
— Harsh detergents (strip colour and finish)
— Tumble dryers (heat sets stains and shrinks fibres)
— Improper ironing (zari and embroidery melt)

A general dry cleaner may not always understand Indian textiles. Look for a specialist who handles Indian sarees, or ask your dry cleaner if they have experience with silk sarees and zari embroidery before handing over a piece.

Care by fabric type

Pure silk (Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Mysore)

— Dry clean only — specialist Indian dry cleaner strongly preferred
— Store rolled in soft muslin cloth, not on plastic hangers
— Refold along different lines every 6 months to prevent creases at the same spot
— Never leave folded in direct sunlight
— A small silica gel sachet in the storage area helps prevent damp damage

Georgette and chiffon

— Dry clean preferred for embroidered or sequined pieces
— Gentle hand wash in cool water possible for plain georgette or chiffon — use mild detergent (silk-safe)
— Never wring or twist — pat dry between towels
— Hang to dry in shade, never direct sun (colour fades)
— Iron on low heat with a cloth between iron and fabric

Organza

— Dry clean only
— Organza is structured — store with light tissue paper between folds to maintain crispness
— Avoid heavy items pressing on top in storage
— Iron on very low heat with a pressing cloth — never directly on the fabric

Cotton and cotton-silk

— First wash: dry clean or specialist hand wash (the first wash sets the colour)
— Subsequent washes: gentle hand wash in cool water with silk-safe or wool-safe detergent
— Wash separately the first 3 times — cotton sarees can bleed colour
— Iron on medium heat while slightly damp

Silk blend / cotton silk

— Dry clean recommended
— Hand wash in cool water acceptable for less embellished pieces
— Same iron rules as pure silk

Storage — short term (between wears)

— Hang on a wide padded hanger if you will wear it within a few weeks
— Avoid wire hangers — they distort the fabric
— Cover with a light cotton cloth or breathable cover — never plastic, which traps moisture
— Hang in a wardrobe with good air circulation, away from direct sun

Storage — long term (months or years)

— Fold loosely with acid-free tissue paper between folds
— Store rolled in soft cotton or muslin cloth, not plastic
— Place in a wooden box, cotton bag, or breathable storage container
— Add natural moth deterrents (neem leaves, cedar wood, lavender pouches) — not naphthalene balls, which damage silk over time
— Once every 4–6 months, take the saree out, refold along different lines, and air it briefly

Stains — what to do

— Act fast: blot (don’t rub) with a clean white cloth
— Do not apply water to silk or organza stains — water rings can be worse than the original stain
— Make a note of what caused the stain (red wine, oil, makeup) when taking to the dry cleaner
— For zari or embroidery near the stain, point it out so the cleaner knows to be gentle there

Ironing

— Always use a pressing cloth (a clean cotton cloth between the iron and the saree)
— Iron on the wrong side of the fabric wherever possible
— Never iron directly over zari, sequins, or embroidery
— Use the lowest heat setting that works — silk = silk setting, organza = lowest, cotton = medium

What we include with your saree

Every IndiaNiva saree ships with:

— A printed care card with fabric-specific instructions
— A soft muslin storage cloth for the saree itself
— A care note about the blouse piece and where to stitch it
— Recommended tailors in your area (or, once live, a link to the IndiaNiva Tailor Directory)

When in doubt

If you are unsure about caring for a specific saree, email info@indianiva.com with a photo and a description of the issue. We are happy to help.