The most prized possession for any Indian woman has to be her Saree collection. Without a doubt! These sarees have seen decades of styles go by but somehow they remain those classics that you just can’t get hold of anywhere around. What makes them even more special are those stories which binds our emotions. “Yeh wali mene yahaan pehni thi, woh waali mene wahan pehni thi” (I wore this here & that one I wore it there sort of stories)
In some families these are actually passed on from one generation to the other. Making these gems of styles even more special. Hence it’s important to know how our Sarees can be preserved and taken care of.
1) Silk Sarees:
We all are well aware of how delicate & (expensive) these sarees are. Some of us insist on buying them only from verified sellers. They have a sort of “Swag” factor (Kanjivaram, Banarasi the names equally heavy)
Care tips:
- Only dry cleaning (we insist)
- Do not hang them on metal
- Opening & refolding them (every 3 months)
- Keep them separate from other materials/sarees (Yes, they are VIP’s of Sarees)
- Avoid spraying water while Ironing (ask your Istriwalla to follow the same)
2) Cotton Sarees
The most common of all Sarees. Cotton enjoys a certain charm about it. They are light & are easy to adorn. But the problem is that they wear out to easily compared to other types of Sarees.
Care tips:
- Soak them for 15 minutes in warm water with rock salt (first wash)
- Wash dark colors separately to avoid color bleeding
- Do not keep it soaked in soap water for long
- Once washed, do not twist/rinse these sarees too much (it’s a natural fabric not rubber band)
- Hang it on a tap or over basin, let the water drip away
- Lastly, starch your cotton sarees after wash so that it remains crisp!
- Dry it under shade & not direct sunlight
3) Georgette Sarees
One of the most common Sarees. Georgette is your everyday friend. It will take on whatever comes it’s way. But still there are certain rules that governs a georgetter if you plan to use your favorite again & again.
Care tips:
- Since they are prone to tearing avoid rinsing them in a hard manner
- Let the water drip slowly instead
- Do not use metal clips or clips with sharp teeths on them (use multiple baby clips)
- Do not hang them in your wardrobe for long
3) Zari Sarees
Gold, threads, patterns, motis & what not. Zari sarees are nothing short of an artist’s imagination. You wear them only for specific occasions. (it is meant to be) So a Zari Saree demands to be taken care of in a special caring way.
Care tips:
- Wrap them in cotton to prevent them from reacting with air
- Clean the Zari work with a clean slightly damp cloth (very lightly)
- Get a net over the zari work so that the work remains intact (we’ve had instances of those precious metals coming off over time, this trick will prevent that)
4) Paithani Sarees
Pride of Maharashtra, named after the region Paithan these sarees are hand woven. They are very expensive & a certain women with a taste prefer to buy them.
Care tips:
- Yes, you have to wear them often to make them last long (it’s not for a corner in the wardrobe)
- Avoid keeping near naptholine balls (use natural/herbal products)
- If you forgot #1 you can simply open & refold them
- Store them in a dry place (remember they are a rare & dying art)
