These sarees are made to last. Here's how to help them age beautifully.
Handloom cotton develops a patina with time — the fabric softens, the drape becomes more fluid, the colours settle into something richer and more personal than the day it arrived. This is not wear. This is the saree becoming yours.
First wash: Dry clean only, to set the kasavu and protect the weave.
Thereafter: Hand wash gently in cold water with a mild, colour-safe detergent. Do not wring — press the water out gently and lay flat or hang in shade to dry. Never direct sunlight, which fades the kasavu over time.
Storage: Fold along different lines each time to prevent permanent crease marks. Store wrapped in a soft muslin or cotton cloth — never plastic, which traps moisture. A small piece of dried neem or lavender keeps moths away naturally.
Ironing: Low heat, inside out. A pressing cloth between the iron and the kasavu border protects the gold.
A handloom saree that is worn and washed and worn again will outlast anything in your wardrobe. Treat her with care, and she will give you decades.