Lehenga for Women- 5 Proven Hacks To Make Them Look as Good as New!

Lehenga for women are a popular Indian ethnic wear piece across the globe. In fact, an elegant lehenga is actually an heirloom to be passed down from one generation to the next. Whether, you have danced all evening at a sangeet or walked down the wedding aisle as a bride, the right home care will keep its colorful spark alive. In today’s post let’s dive deep into 5 proven lehenga care hacks that will keep your priceless piece look as good as new!

1. Never delay professional dry cleaning

When it comes to Indian wedding dress care, prompt dry cleaning is the #1 Rule. Spills like food stains, makeup, and oil left long on the fabric oxidizes and turns yellow. Take your lehenga to a professional dry cleaner within 72 hours of wearing it. Cleaning agents can quickly remove invisible residues that make the sequins dull and weaken the Zari threadwork.

The #1 rule of Indian wedding dress care is prompt, professional dry cleaning. Oil, makeup or food stains left too long can oxidize and turn yellow.

Pro tip:

Ask the dry cleaner to give you a silicone or hydrocarbon process as it is gentle on net, velvet and silk over using the conventional perchloroethylene dry cleaning process.

2. Ditch Plastic Bags- Wrap in Muslin or Cotton Cloth

When it comes to storing your lehenga, dump plastic bags and use a muslin or pure cotton cloth instead. Plastic traps humidity and gives birth to mildew. Take the cloth and spread it across a bed. Take the lehenga skirt and lay it flat on the cloth. Fold it carefully. Keep an acid-free tissue in the folds to avoid staining. Wrap this bundle gently before storing.

Pro Tip

Keep two sillica gel packets with the bundle to absorb the moisture

3. Regularly Rotate the Fold Lines after 6 months

Check on your lehenga every 6 months as permanent creases can crack mirror work, sequins and the beads of the outfit. To protect your lehenga, mark the date of storage on a calendar before you pack it inside your wardrobe. After 6 months, take the lehenga out and refold along a different seam. Remember to replace the packets of silica gel. Repeat the process every 6 months.

The simple calendar lehenga maintenance hack will ensure your prized attire is free from stress lines looking crisp every time you wear it 🙂

4. Use a cotton barrier with low heat steam

Even if you have stored your lehenga with care, it will become rumpled when you take it out before an occasion. Never apply an iron on the fabric directly. The direct heat makes the Zari threadwork flat, and its charm is lost. Instead take a padded hanger and hang your lehenga. Place a thin dupatta, preferably made from cotton over the area where steam is needed. Hover your garment steamer over the outfit about 2 to 3 cm away on a low setting to ease out the creases.

Always use a good quality cotton barrier to avoid scorching due to the heat. It will make the fabric look fresh and as good as new!

5. Combine natural fragrance with sun-free air

Bright sunlight will fade silk fabrics, so opt for daylight shade. Pick a spot with a breeze and keep the lehenga in the air for an hour. Repeat this process after a few months. Make a small sachet of dried neem or lavender carefully wrapped inside a tissue. Place it in the folds of your lehenga to repel inspects and give the fabric a pleasant smell.

Caring for your prized lehenga isn’t a one-time affair. It needs to be consistent and regular!

From the above, it is evident that caring for your lehenga isn’t a complicated affair. You just need to be regular. With proper care, you can retain the innate beauty and charm of your outfit not only for family functions or events, but for your next generation of heirs too. All the best!

To know more about ethnic wear care, check out our posts on Chikankari and Tant Sarees here.