Saree Care Made Simple: Tips to Keep Your Sarees Beautiful for Years

A good saree is an investment, and many become treasured pieces worn for years or passed down through families. With a little care, your sarees can keep their colour, drape and shine for a very long time. Here is how to look after them.

After you wear it

• Air it out. Hang your saree in a shaded, airy spot for a few hours before you put it away, so any moisture or perspiration can dry.
• Check for stains straight away. Fresh stains are much easier to remove. Blot gently rather than rubbing.
• Keep perfume off the fabric. Apply perfume and deodorant before you drape your saree. Sprays can stain silk and tarnish zari.

Washing by fabric

Silk and zari sarees

Dry clean silk sarees, especially those with zari or heavy embroidery. Water can dull the sheen, make colours bleed and tarnish metallic threads. For the first wash of any new silk, always choose dry cleaning.

Georgette, chiffon and crepe

These can usually be hand washed in cold water with a mild detergent. Soak briefly, swish gently, and never wring. Roll the saree in a towel to remove excess water, then dry it flat or on a hanger in the shade.

Cotton

Cotton sarees are easy to care for. Wash them gently in cold water, separately at first in case the colour runs, and dry them in the shade to prevent fading.

Embellished and sequin sarees

Spot clean where you can and dry clean when needed. Avoid the washing machine, which can snag sequins, beads and stonework.

Ironing

• Use a low to medium heat and iron on the reverse side.
• Place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and any zari, sequins or embroidery.
• A garment steamer is a gentle option for georgette and chiffon.

Storing your sarees

• Wrap them in cotton or muslin. Soft cotton bags or old cotton sarees let the fabric breathe. Avoid storing silks in plastic, which traps moisture.
• Refold every few months. Silk can weaken and tear along fold lines, so change the folds regularly.
• Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Protect against moths naturally. Use dried neem leaves, cloves or cedar blocks, and keep mothballs away from direct contact with the fabric.
• Store heavy sarees flat rather than on hangers, which can stretch the fabric over time.

Caring for sarees in Australian weather

Humid summers in Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin can encourage mould and mildew in wardrobes. Add silica gel sachets to your storage and air your sarees on a dry day every couple of months. In drier cities such as Perth and Adelaide, the bigger risk is fading from strong sunlight, so keep your wardrobe away from windows.

Quick checklist

1. Air it after wearing.
2. Dry clean silk and zari.
3. Hand wash light fabrics in cold water.
4. Iron on low heat, with a cloth over embellishments.
5. Store in cotton, away from sunlight, and refold regularly.

Looking to add to your collection? Browse our silk sarees, georgette sarees and full range of sarees online in Australia, shipped Australia-wide from our Perth store.