Washed the right way, a handloom cotton saree gets softer with every wear. Here is how to do it at home without harming the weave.
Washed the right way, a handloom cotton saree gets softer with every wear. Here is how to do it at home without harming the weave.
**The short version:** Hand wash your handloom cotton saree in cold water with a mild detergent. Before the first wash, soak it in salted cold water for about 15 minutes to set the colour. Never wring it. Dry it in the shade, and iron it while it is still a little damp.
Can you wash a handloom cotton saree at home?
Yes. Pure handloom cotton is made to be washed. Cold water, a mild detergent and gentle hands are all it needs.
The steps below are about protecting the colour and the softness, not about difficulty. Silk and silk-cotton blends behave differently and usually need dry cleaning, so check the label if you are not sure what you have.
How do you wash it for the first time?
The first wash sets the colour. New cotton often carries loose dye that needs to be fixed before it can run onto the rest of the saree or your other clothes.
Fill a bucket with cold water and stir in two spoons of rock salt. Soak the saree for 15 to 30 minutes. The water may change colour. That is only the extra dye leaving, not your saree fading.
Wash it on its own for the first two or three washes.
How do you hand wash a cotton saree?
1. Use cold water. Hot water can shrink cotton and dull the colour. 2. Add a mild detergent, a little liquid soap, or soap nuts (reetha). Skip strong powders and bleach. 3. Swish the saree gently and press the water through it. Do not scrub or brush hard. 4. Rinse in clean cold water until the water runs clear. 5. Press the water out gently. Never wring or twist. You can roll the saree in a dry cotton towel to draw out the extra water.
How should you dry a handloom cotton saree?
Dry it in the shade. Direct sun fades cotton and can make it shrink.
Hang it over a rod or line so the weight is spread evenly, and give it a soft shake first to loosen the creases. Avoid clips on the border. They leave marks and can stretch the edge.
Should you starch and iron it?
Starch is optional. If you like your cotton crisp, a light starch after washing keeps the drape firm and helps it resist stains. Rinse well so the starch does not leave patches.
Iron on medium heat while the saree is still slightly damp. That is when cotton smooths out best. Turn any zari or printed border face down so the heat does not sit on it.
How do you store cotton sarees?
Keep them in a dry, airy cupboard, away from damp. Refold along different lines now and then so the same crease does not wear thin.
Skip plastic covers. They trap moisture and can turn zari dark. A cotton or muslin bag lets the fabric breathe. A few neem leaves or a small pouch of cloves will keep insects away.
Do and don't, in short
**Do** - Wash in cold water - Use mild soap or reetha - Soak in salt before the first wash - Dry in the shade - Store in cotton or muslin
**Don't** - Use hot water or bleach - Scrub or brush hard - Wring or twist the saree - Dry in direct sun - Store in plastic
A note on handmade cloth
Slight colour movement in the first wash and small unevenness in the weave are normal. They are signs the saree was made on a loom by a person, not a machine. With gentle washing, handloom cotton usually softens and wears in over time.
A small note from us
Every cotton saree at ĀTPOURÉ comes from weavers we buy from directly. If you would like help choosing one that fits your everyday, we are happy to talk it through.