The Care of Silk
Caring for Your Saree
A heritage drape is a long companion. Kept with a little grace, it will outlast the season, and be handed down.
Folding & storing
Let a silk rest flat and loosely folded, wrapped in unbleached muslin or soft cotton — never plastic, which holds moisture against the fibre. Refold along a new line every few months so no single crease is asked to bear the weight of the years; a sharp, permanent fold is where silk eventually tires.
Keep zari-heavy drapes apart from one another so the metal thread of one does not press into the ground of the next.
Light & humidity
Store your saree away from direct sunlight and strong indoor light, both of which quietly lift colour over time. A cool, dry, well-aired shelf is kinder than a sealed box; silk likes to breathe.
In humid seasons, air the piece gently in shade now and then, and let a sachet of dried neem or cloves keep it company — an old, honest defence against damp and moth alike.
Gentle & professional cleaning
A heritage silk asks for a specialist. Entrust it to a trusted dry-cleaner who knows handloom and zari, and never to a household wash — water and agitation can bleed dyes and slacken the weave. Between wearings, a simple airing usually does more good than any cleaning at all.
Should a spill happen, blot — never rub — and take the piece to a specialist promptly rather than treating it yourself.
The care of zari
Real zari is metal drawn fine, and metal responds to air. To keep its glow, store the saree inside-out so the zari faces inward, away from light and contact. A soft, dry cloth lifts dust from the border; moisture and perfume, sprayed before the drape is worn, are what dull it fastest.
Worn with a little forethought and stored with a little grace, a good zari will outshine its first evening for a generation.
Unsure how to keep a particular piece?
Every weave has its own temperament. Tell us which drape you are keeping, and a curator will attend to you with guidance made for it.