How to Wash A Cotton Saree at Home

A vibrant saree is fashion forward and a point of pride. However, if you usually prefer dry-cleaning your clothes, the idea of washing your sarees at home can be intimidating.

In this article, we take you through a systematic step-by-step guide on washing your cotton sarees at home.

Before you wear a new cotton saree for the first time, soak it in warm water with 2-3 tablespoons of rock salt mixed in it. This will help bind the colour to the fabric, keeping it bright and beautiful even after a wash.

Additionally, it will also get rid of any excess starch, making the flow easier to drape.

Sometimes, even after doing this process, there is still a risk that the colour might run, so your safest bet is to wash all your sarees separately.

We recommend washing your sarees in plain cold water for the first two to three times, using a cotton bud to apply a mild detergent or a protein shampoo to any stains.

Following that, here’s how you can wash your cotton sarees.

You want your saree to retain its colour? Whichever fabric it’s made of – make sure you dry it in a shady place. The sun may dry it faster, but it will also fade the colour of your saree. Thus, avoid exposing a washed, wet saree to sunlight.

Step 1:

Fill a bucket with clean, warm water, add a mild detergent, and soak your saree in it for around 10 minutes.

Step 2:

Rinse your saree well in cold water, handling it gently and avoid wringing it too hard. Keep rinsing until the water runs clean, with no soap coming out.

Step 3:

Starch your saree, then rinse once again to avoid stain-like patches.

Step 4:

Press your saree gently to remove excess water, or roll it gently in a towel.

Step 5:

Hang your saree out in the shade until it’s completely dry.

Step 6:

Use a medium dry iron to get the creases out, and hang it up in a clean, dark and dry place. A steam iron can make a heavily-starched saree a little easier to handle. Ensure you keep it on low or medium heat to avoid any damage or discolouring of the fabric.

Key Steps

• Here are the main things you need to remember:
• Use cold water and add mild detergent (or baby shampoo) where you need it.
• Treat the fabric gently and wash without scrubbing.
• Roll and press your saree to remove extra water.
• Store your saree in a dry & dark place away from sunlight.
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