Handmade Fabrics Care Guide

ITOKRI FABRIC CARE

Handmade fabrics are not delicate. They are alive. Care for them the way they were made: patiently, simply, and with respect. 
Every textile at iTokri is made slowly: woven, printed, dyed, or embroidered by hand.

This page helps you understand how to wash, store, and care for each fabric so it lasts beautifully and becomes softer, calmer, and more yours over time.

 

1. UNIVERSAL CARE PRINCIPLES

Works for all handmade fabrics: cotton, silk, wool, embroidery, natural dyes.

● Cold Water Only
Handmade fibres and natural dyes stay happiest in cool water.

● Mild Detergent
Avoid strong chemicals, bleach, or stain removers.

● No Soaking
Most hand-printed and natural dye textiles release colour when submerged.

● Shade Dry
Direct sunlight fades pigments. Shade protects depth and vibrancy.

● Reverse Iron
Keeps prints crisp and embroidery threads safe.

● Expect Minor Variation
Handmade equals human. Slight colour movement, softening, or unevenness is a natural part of the craft.

 

2. COTTON FABRICS

Ajrakh, Bagru, Dabu, Sanganeri, Ikat, Jamdani cotton, Mulmul, Chanderi cotton

Wash

● Cold water
● Gentle hand wash or machine gentle cycle
● Mild, bleach free detergent
● Wash separately for first 1 or 2 washes
● Do not rub printed areas

Dry

● Shade dry only
● Straighten fabric by hand to reduce wrinkles

How Cotton Ages

● Softens with every wash
● Breathes better over time
● Natural dyes mellow beautifully

3. NATURALLY DYED FABRICS

Ajrakh, Indigo, Madder, Bagru Mud Resist

Natural dyes are living pigments. They breathe, settle, and deepen.

Care Guidelines

● Wash separately

● No soaking

● Use pH neutral detergent

● Expect mild colour rub off initially

Colour stabilises after early washes. This is normal for real natural dye fabrics.

4. HANDWOVEN SILKS

Tussar, Maheshwari, Chanderi, Silk Cotton Blends, Banarasi

Silk fibres need gentleness. Less handling is better.

Best Practice

● Dry clean recommended

If washing at home

● Cold water

● Gentle liquid soap

● Dip lightly, no rubbing or wringing

Dry and Store

● Shade dry

● Low heat reverse ironing

● Wrap in muslin

● Avoid plastic covers

5. WOOL AND WINTER WEAVES

Bhujodi, Kullu, Himachali Wool, Pashmina like blends

Care

● Air after every few wears

● Spot clean whenever possible

If washing is needed:

● Cold water

● Wool safe detergent

● Light squeeze only

● Flat dry completely

Wool naturally releases odour and moisture. Frequent washing is not required.

6. EMBROIDERY TEXTILES

Chikankari, Kantha, Zardozi, Applique

 

Wash

● Reverse side wash

● Cold water

● Very gentle squeezing

● No scrubbing on embroidered areas

 

Store

● Fold with tissue or muslin between layers

● Keep zari work away from moisture

 

7. KALAMKARI

Hand painted and Block printed Kalamkari uses natural paints, milk mordants, tannins, and slow processes.

Care

● Cold water wash

● No soaking

● No rubbing

● Use pH neutral detergent

● Shade dry only

Hand painted Kalamkari may lighten slightly with years. This is part of its organic nature.

8. HOME TEXTILES CARE

Bedsheets, Quilts, Table Linen, Curtains, Cotton Bedsheets and Table Linen

Care

● Machine wash on gentle

● Cold water

● Mild detergent

● Shade dry

● Iron on reverse

Quilts and Dohars

● Regular sun airing

● Hand wash only

● Do not machine wash heavy quilts

9. STORAGE GUIDE

Keep fabrics breathing and relaxed.

 

● Cotton

Fold loosely. Avoid long hanging to protect the weave.

● Silks

Wrap in muslin and air every few months.

● Wool

Fold with neem or cedar. Store in a dry place.

● Natural Dyes

Keep away from damp corners and strong sunlight.

10. COMMON ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

 

Based on real customer reviews.

 

● Colour looks slightly different from photos

Natural dyes and hand prints reflect light differently indoors and outdoors. Mild variation is expected.

● Colour ran during first wash

Indigo and madder release surface colour in early washes. This settles quickly.

● Fabric feels thinner than expected

Handwoven summer cottons are designed to be airy for heat comfort.

● Cotton shrank

Pure cotton shrinks 3 to 5 percent naturally. Cold wash helps reduce this.

● Embroidery puckered

Always reverse wash and avoid wringing embroidered textiles.

 

11. WHY CARE MATTERS

Handmade fabric is living intelligence.

Every wash, every shade dry moment, every careful fold continues the rhythm an artisan began.

This is not maintenance.

This is participation.

Handmade fabrics do not lose beauty with care.

They grow into their truest form.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I machine wash handmade fabrics?

Yes, but only on a gentle cycle with cold water. Hand wash is preferred for natural dyes, silks, and embroidered textiles.

 

2. Why do natural dyed fabrics bleed during the first wash?

Real indigo, madder, and other plant dyes release surface colour initially. This is normal and stabilises after one or two washes.

 

3. Do all cotton fabrics shrink?

Pure cotton may shrink 3 to 5 percent. A cold wash reduces shrinkage.

 

4. Why does my fabric look slightly different from the website?

Handmade fabrics catch light differently depending on the time of day and environment. Minor variations are part of authentic craft.

 

5. Can I iron handmade fabrics?

Yes. Always iron on reverse. Use low heat for silk and medium for cotton.

 

6. How do I wash silk sarees or silk cotton fabrics?

Dry clean is safest. If washing at home, use cold water and mild liquid soap. Do not wring.

 

7. How do I store handmade fabrics for long periods?

Store in breathable muslin. Keep away from moisture. For wool, use neem or cedar.

 

8. How often should wool shawls be washed?

Rarely. Air them frequently. Wash only when necessary using cold water and wool detergent.

 

9. Can Kalamkari be machine washed?

Hand wash only. The pigments are natural and respond best to gentle handling.

 

10. Why does my cotton become softer over time?

Handwoven cotton relaxes with each wash. Softening is a sign of quality, not wear.

 

Generated with help of AI. Human intervention involved.