Caring for Silk: What to Do and What Never to Do
Dry clean, never wring, and store folded differently each season — a short guide to keeping a good silk saree for twenty years.
A silk saree bought well should outlast the occasion it was bought for. Most damage comes from storage, not wear.
After wearing
Air it for a few hours before it goes back in the cupboard — perspiration weakens silk fibres over time. Never fold it away damp.
Cleaning
Dry clean only, and not after every wear. Two or three times a year is enough unless something is spilled.
Storage
- Wrap in soft muslin, never plastic — silk needs to breathe.
- Refold along different lines every few months so the creases do not cut the threads.
- Keep zari away from naphthalene balls, which tarnish the metal.