How to Care for Silk, Bandhani and Other Delicate Ethnic Fabrics

Delicate ethnic fabrics like silk, Bandhani and Gajji silk often get worn only a handful of times a year,
which means the way you store and care for them between wears matters just as much as how
carefully you handle them the day you actually wear them.
How do I take care of silk sarees?
Most silk sarees, including Gajji silk, should be dry-cleaned rather than machine washed, particularly
in the first few wears when dyes are most likely to bleed or run. Between wears, avoid hanging silk
sarees for long periods, since the fabric's weight can stretch and distort the drape over time —
folding is generally the safer storage method. Keep silk away from direct sunlight, both during
storage and while drying if it's ever hand-washed, since UV exposure fades silk's natural sheen and
colour more quickly than most other fabrics.
Can Gajji silk be machine washed?
It's not recommended. Gajji silk's satin weave and any accompanying Bandhani dye work are both
sensitive to the agitation and heat involved in machine washing, which can cause colour bleeding,
texture damage, or a loss of the fabric's characteristic sheen. Dry cleaning preserves both the fabric's
structure and its colour far more reliably.
How should I store a Bandhani or Gajji silk dupatta?
Fold the dupatta loosely rather than tightly, and wrap it in a breathable cotton cloth (a plain white
cotton pillowcase works well) rather than sealing it in plastic, which can trap moisture and encourage
mildew or yellowing over time. Refold stored pieces every few months along slightly different lines to
avoid permanent crease marks forming along the same folds repeatedly.

How do I prevent colour bleeding in a Bandhani dupatta?
Bandhani's tie-dye process means the dyes sit close to the fabric surface, making early wears
particularly prone to colour transfer if the piece gets damp or comes into contact with water. Always
dry clean rather than wash at home, especially for the first several wears, and avoid wearing a
Bandhani piece in situations where it's likely to get wet or come into prolonged contact with sweat,
which can also cause colour to migrate.
How should I wash and store delicate ethnic wear generally?
Washing: dry clean silk, Gajji silk, Bandhani, and Gharchola pieces. Cotton sarees, dupattas and
kurtas are generally more forgiving and can often be hand-washed in cool water with a mild
detergent, though it's worth checking care instructions for any specific embellishment or dye work
first.
Drying: dry all delicate fabrics in shade rather than direct sunlight, and avoid wringing — gently press
out excess water and lay flat or hang briefly to air dry instead.
Ironing: iron on the reverse side of printed or dyed fabrics (Ajrak, Bandhani, block prints) to protect
the surface design, using a cool-to-medium setting rather than high heat, which can damage both silk
and natural dyes.
Storage: fold rather than hang heavier silk pieces, use breathable cotton cloth rather than plastic,
and store away from direct sunlight and humidity.
What's the best way to fold a saree for storage?
Fold along the saree's natural pleats first, then fold the resulting length in half or thirds depending on
your storage space, keeping the fold as loose as reasonably possible to avoid sharp, permanent
crease lines. For particularly delicate or heavily embellished pieces, placing acid-free tissue paper
between folds can help prevent embroidery or zari work from snagging on the fabric itself during
storage.
How often should silk sarees be dry cleaned?
There's no need to dry clean a silk saree after every single wear unless it's visibly soiled or has come
into contact with perfume, sweat, or food — over-cleaning can actually wear down delicate dyes and
embellishment faster than necessary. Airing the saree out after wear, checking for any spots, and dry
cleaning only when genuinely needed is a more practical approach for most silk pieces worn
occasionally.

Understanding these differences matters most for the fabrics RangMahal specialises in — Gajji silk,
Bandhani, Gharchola and Ajrak — since getting the care wrong on a first wash is one of the most
common (and avoidable) ways these pieces get damaged.
FAQs
Can Gajji silk be machine washed? 
No — dry cleaning is strongly recommended to protect both the
fabric's structure and any accompanying dye work from damage.
How should I store a Bandhani or Gajji silk dupatta?
Fold it loosely and wrap it in a breathable cotton cloth rather than plastic, and refold along different lines every few months to avoid permanent crease
marks.
Which ethnic fabrics are easiest to maintain?
Plain cotton pieces, including Ajrak-printed cotton after its first few gentle washes, are generally the easiest to maintain compared to silk, Bandhani or
Gharchola, which require dry cleaning.
How often should silk sarees be dry cleaned?
Only when genuinely soiled or after contact with sweat, perfume or food — over-cleaning can wear down delicate dyes and embellishment faster than necessary.
How do I remove wrinkles from a silk saree without an iron?
Hanging the saree in a steamy bathroom for a short period, or using a handheld steamer held slightly away from the fabric, is a gentler alternative to direct ironing.