Chikankari salwar suits and sarees are the epitome of grace and elegance. Known for their intricate embroidery, they need to be treated with extra care and love. In today’s post, we will give you some super simple tips on how to take care of your Chikankari pieces to make them look as good as new every time you wear them. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
1. Washing
For your Chikankari attire to look fresh, experts recommend you to handwash them. In fact, this method is preferred for the first couple of washes to keep the threadwork intact. Machine wash, in the wrong way will damage the embroidery, so due caution must be exercised here, if hand wash isn’t a possibility.
Cold water
Cold water washes prevent the color to bleed or the material to shrink. Never make the mistake of dipping your pieces into hot or even lukewarm water.
Mild detergents
Your Chikankari fabric is delicate so always use a gentle detergent. Look out for detergents that are non-alkaline in nature. If you can’t find a mild detergent, a baby shampoo is a safe bet. Never use a harsh detergent as it will cause the threads to wear out and become frayed.
Soak time
When it comes to Chikankari pieces, the material is sensitive and prone to damage easily. Never allow the piece to soak and sit in water for too long. Before washing, a brief soak of 5 to 10 minutes is sufficient to eliminate the dust and dirt from the fabric.
Separate different colors
Never mix different colors of Chikankari together. Light and dark colors should be separated especially when you are washing them for the first time.
Do not scrub or wring
The embroidery is sensitive on the fabric, so ensure you squeeze out the water from it gently. Avoid scrubbing or wringing the material as this will cause irreparable damage to your piece.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
2. Drying
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Dry in the shade
Never put your Chikankari pieces in direct sunlight. The color of the fabric and threadwork will fade. Ensure you lay them flat so that their original shape and texture is maintained. Never tumble dry your piece in a washing machine- it causes damage to the intricate threadwork on the piece.
Avoid drying your piece on a metal rack. Over time, they rust and can stain the fabric. If you need to use a metal surface for drying, cover it with a clean cloth before placing your clothes on them.
Reverse the fabric inside out
Before drying the piece in the shade, ensure it is inside out. It protects the threadwork from pollutants, dust, and other unwanted particles from falling on the embroidery during the drying process.
Use soft or padded hangers
Invest in good quality hangers that are soft or padded. They will not leave ugly shoulder marks and ensure the fabric remains free flowing. Do not use clothespins on the embroidery, use clips on the seams or edges of the fabric to keep the threadwork intact.
Adjust the fabric while damp
For Kurtis and tops, adjust the fabric while damp. It should be done for sleeves and necklines for maintaining shape and structure.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
3. Ironing and Storing
Iron your piece from inside
In order to keep the threadwork intact and neat, place the iron on the inside of the fabric. You can keep a cotton soft cloth on top of your piece while ironing. Adjust the heat settings of your iron to “low” to prevent permanent embroidery damage.
Avoid using steam on threads, this will cause permanent damage to them. Never apply an iron to beads or sequins and ensure the cloth is spread neatly across a flat surface before you start the ironing process.
Storing
Ensure your garment is completely dry and clean before storing. This prevents stains on the cloth and mildew from forming.
Never fold heavy chikankari wear. Hang them if possible. If you can’t hang them, fold them along the seams to avoid damaging the embroidery.
To protect your precious Chikankari pieces, put them inside soft cotton bags. This keeps direct sunlight, humidity, and dust away. If you do not wear your chikankari piece often, remember to take it out periodically to refold the garment. An interval of a couple of months will do to keep your garment look as good as new!
Final words
Caring for your precious chikankari pieces is more than just “mere maintenance”, it is a tribute to all those artisans who have kept this ancient art of threadwork alive till date. Like Ajrakh hand block printing, these craftsmen lovingly weave art into their threadwork. Check out our post here on Ajrakh prints to know more on how it is sustainable and eco-friendly to our planet even till this date.
Coming back to our timeless chikankari pieces, with just a little bit of extra care and attention, you can keep your favorite garments looking graceful and elegant as ever. Treat them like a precious heirloom and they sure will return the favor when you flaunt them transforming you into a graceful diva catching eyes wherever you go!
If you liked the post, don’t forget to share it with other chikankari lovers and do let us know your thoughts on the comments below. Till then, happy reading and stay tuned for more such simple tips and tricks only on Ethnic Lovers.Com!
