How to Clean and Store Ethnic Wear

 

How to Clean and Store Ethnic Wear: A Complete Guide

India's rich cultural legacy is reflected in ethnic clothing, which comes in an exquisite variety of hues, materials, and elaborate patterns. Ethnic wear, which ranges from sophisticated kurtas and sherwanis to exquisite sarees and lehengas, is frequently composed of delicate materials and embellished with exquisite embroidery, beads, and sequins. Because ethnic clothing is so valuable and intricate, it is crucial to understand how to clean and store it correctly to maintain its quality, avoid damage, and make sure it lasts for many years. We will go over the best ways to clean and store your ethnic clothing in this extensive guide, along with advice on how to keep it looking brand new.

Why Is It Important to Clean and Store Properly?

Whether it's a newly purchased lehenga for a special occasion or a bridal saree handed down through the generations, ethnic clothing is frequently an investment. These clothes may sustain irreparable harm from improper cleaning and storage. Colors can fade, decorations can loosen, and fabrics can lose their luster over time due to dust, filth, dampness, and even sunshine. Unwanted wrinkles, smells, or even fabric deterioration can also be caused by improper storage.

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of knowing how to properly clean and store ethnic clothing. To maintain their attractiveness and guarantee that they remain in good condition for many years, these clothes require extra care.

How to Keep Ethnic Clothing Clean

There is more to cleaning ethnic clothing than simply tossing it in the washing machine. Every fabric has different requirements, and even minor errors can harm delicate textiles. Here's how to clean various ethnic clothing types:

1. Sarees

Sarees are frequently composed of delicate materials that need to be handled with care, such cotton, silk, georgette, or chiffon. To clean them, follow these steps:

Silk Sarees

: Only wash silk sarees by hand if the care label warns against it. To preserve their texture and sheen, silk sarees should be dry cleaned. Use a fresh cloth soaked in cold water and mild detergent to dab at minor spots.

Sarees made of chiffon or georgette

: If cleaned too vigorously, these materials may lose their silky sheen. Although dry cleaning is advised, if you would rather wash them at home, use a light detergent and cold water without wringing the fabric.

2. Lehengas

Lehengas are usually composed of opulent materials like silk, satin, or brocade and are frequently worn during weddings and other celebratory events. Due to their heavy embroidery or bead and sequin embellishment, they are more prone to harm from improper cleaning.

For light stains

, dab the spot with a gentle cloth dipped in a solution of mild detergent and water. Scrubbing might harm the fabric or loosen embellishments, so avoid doing it.

For Heavy Cleaning

Dry cleaning lehengas is the ideal option, particularly if they have a lot of embellishment. Make sure the dry cleaner specializes in sensitive fabrics at all times.

3. Kurtis and Kurtas

In general, kurtas and kurtis—which are frequently composed of cotton, linen, or chiffon—are simpler to launder than lehengas or sarees. These can be hand or machine washed, depending on the cloth. The simplest to clean are cotton kurtas, which can be machine washed with a gentle detergent. Dark-colored kurtas can bleed when washed with lighter materials, so proceed with caution. Chiffon/Linen Kurtas require hand washing with cold water and a mild detergent. For heavy stains, it’s best to use a fabric-specific stain remover, but avoid harsh chemicals.

4. Suits and Sherwanis

Usually composed of thick materials like silk, velvet, or brocade, sherwanis are frequently adorned with zardosi, beads, or embroidery. Care must be taken when cleaning these items to protect the fabric and the decorations.

Dry Cleaning

It is advised to dry clean sherwanis instead of trying to wash them at home because they are typically elaborate and composed of high-end materials. These clothing should not be machine washed since the decorations may become damaged.

Spot Cleaning

: Use a moist cloth and a light detergent to gently blot the area of minor spots.

5. General Cleaning Advice for Ethnic Clothing

Test a Small Area: Prior to using a cleaning agent on the complete garment, always test it on a tiny, discrete section of the fabric. Steer clear of bleach: Bleach can permanently destroy ethnic clothing, especially delicate textiles and embellishments, thus it should never be used on them. Air Dry: To keep colors from fading after cleaning, let ethnic clothing air dry away from direct sunshine.

How to Keep Ethnic Clothing Stored

Ethnic clothing should be stored as carefully as it should be cleaned. Improper storage of these clothes may cause fading, fabric deterioration, or permanent creases. The following are the ideal methods for keeping your collection of ethnic clothing organized:

1. Make Use of Proper Storage Materials

Garment Bags To keep your ethnic clothing safe from dust, grime, and moisture, store it in breathable garment bags. Plastic bags should not be used since they can retain moisture and cause mold and mildew. Cotton BagsUse cotton clothing bags that let the fabric breathe for further protection. This is particularly crucial for lehengas and silk sarees. Padded Hangers To keep delicate fabrics like georgette or chiffon from stretching out or losing their shape while being stored, use padded hangers. Use robust wooden or padded hangers if the garment is heavy, such as a sherwani or lehenga.

2. Steer clear of direct sunlight

Keep in a cool, dry location because sunlight can weaken fabric and cause colors to fade. Ethnic clothing should be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry, and dark location. The best space is a wardrobe or closet with a controlled temperature.

3. Properly fold or hang ethnic clothing

Sarees: Sarees can be draped over a cushioned hanger or gently folded along the pleats and rolled loosely for storage. Silk sarees should not be hung for extended periods of time as this can cause the cloth to warp. Lehengas: To preserve their shape, lehengas should be kept hanging. To avoid crushing the fabric, fold lehengas neatly with acid-free tissue paper inside, or use padded hangers if you have limited room. Kurtas and Kurtis: Generally speaking, a robust hanger can be used to hang kurtas and kurtis in a wardrobe. To conserve space, fold kurtis made of light materials, such as cotton, neatly. Sherwanis: To preserve the delicate fabric and decorations, sherwanis should always be hung in a garment bag. To prevent them from being squashed, try to keep them in a wardrobe with adequate room.

4. For delicate fabrics, use tissue paper

Acid-Free Tissue Paper: To preserve the fabric's structure and avoid crushing or discoloration, place acid-free tissue paper in between folds of clothing made of delicate materials like silk or lavishly embroidered lehengas.

5. Frequent Examination

Make sure that no pests, such as silverfish or moths, have harmed the materials in your ethnic clothing collection by checking it frequently. Mothballs or natural alternatives, such as lavender sachets, can be used to ward off insects if necessary.

6. Steer clear of crowded

Give Your Clothes Room: Wrinkles and fabric stress can result from packing your closet too full. Make sure that no garment is squashed and has adequate room to hang freely.

Why Choose Vogue-Vastra for Your Ethnic Wear Needs?

When it comes to finding high-quality ethnic wear, Vogue-Vastra is your go-to destination. Offering a curated selection of stylish, traditional, and contemporary ethnic garments, Vogue-Vastra brings you the latest trends and timeless classics. Whether you're looking for a luxurious bridal lehenga, a traditional saree, or a stylish kurta set, Vogue-Vastra has a diverse range that caters to all occasions. For more tips on ethnic wear, cleaning, storage, and styling, visit Vogue-Vastra Blog. Here, you can find expert advice, fashion inspiration, and useful guides to help you maintain your ethnic wear collection in perfect condition.