Tips to Care & Maintain Your Clothes & Fabrics

Fabric reigns supreme in the hearts of trendsetters worldwide. Every fabric has its own aura, beauty, and charm, whether it's your treasured new silk, everyday cotton, or favourite colourful dupattas. Taking good care and maintenance of fabrics can help prolong garment life.

Each fabric requires extra care, love, and attention. Don't stress if you don't know what kind of fabric requires what care. We are here for your rescue. This fabric care guide will help you with helpful fabric care tips for twelve different types of fabrics. Let's dive in.

How to take care of Cotton Fabric?

Cotton ranks high when it comes to softness and breathable properties. Cotton fabrics are naturally absorbent and don't show sweat as synthetic fabrics. However, high heat temperatures can shrink cotton fibres. It is best to air-dry or machine-dry cotton fabrics at a moderate to low temperature. Also, it is not advisable to air-dry cotton fabrics in direct sunlight as it leads to fading of prints and dyes. To remove wrinkles quickly, iron cotton fabric when it is slightly moist. Avoid using more than the recommended amount when it comes to bleach for cotton fabrics.

How to take care of Silk Fabrics?

Silk is one fabric that occupies an exclusive place in every fashion lover's wardrobe. Silk is a natural solid fibre known for its satin texture. It drapes well & retains shape. However, due to the high maintenance of silk fabric, it should be handled with utmost care. We recommend only dry cleaning for Silk fabrics; however, if you want to wash them at home, the below steps will help.

Steps to wash silk fabric

  1. Fill the bucket with lukewarm or cold water and submerge the silk fabric or garment.
  2. Mix in a few drops of mild detergent. Leave the item to soak for five minutes.
  3. Gently plunge the garment up and down in the water with your hands to remove dirt.
  4. Use a towel to absorb moisture to dry the fabric, but don't rub it.
  5. Place the silk fabric on a hanger or a drying rack and leave it to air dry in the shade. Keep away from sunlight and other hot temperatures.
  6. Iron the silk fabric inside-out only when completely dry at very low temperatures.

How to take care of Embroidered Fabrics?

Embroidery is the art of decorating the fabric with colourful thread. Hand-embroidered designs give a unique yet royal edge to the fabric and add more value to its look. It is recommended to get Embroidered fabrics dry cleaned over home wash; however, if you decide to wash them at home, you can follow these care instructions. All embroidered fabrics should be gently washed with a mild detergent without using chlorine bleach or brightening agents as it could dull the thread colours. Embroidered fabrics should never be left soaking in warm water for too long as the thread can get loose and lose its shine. All embroidered material should always be ironed on the reverse side to avoid any damage.

How to take care of Jacquard fabric?

Jacquard fabrics are strong and resilient. Jacquard fabric combines natural or synthetic fibres interwoven with complex, beautiful patterns. When wet, jacquard fabrics become coarser and heavier. They can be machine washed or hand washed with mild detergents. The fabric can be air-dried and ironed on medium heat settings. Jacquard fabrics must be completely dry before storage to avoid damage.

How to take care of Chiffon Fabric?

Chiffon fabric's sheer, airy, and lightweight properties are everyone's favourite. Chiffon fabric can be a blend of either cotton or silk with various other synthetic fibres. If it is silk chiffon, then it must be strictly dry cleaned. Other chiffon fabrics can be machine washed on a gentle setting. Do not twist chiffon fabrics; instead, press to remove all water. Let the chiffon fabrics air-dry and iron them on the lowest heat setting to avoid burning.

How to take care of Georgette Fabric?

Georgette is a form of crepe which is lightweight and sheer. Georgette fabric is made of highly twisted yarns and is a blend of smooth silk and synthetic fibres. Georgette is a delicate fabric; therefore, it should always be hand washed in cold water to preserve its colour and quality. Remember not to wring the fabric as it may twist out of its original shape. Georgette fabric should be ironed at low heat to avoid iron burns, possibly without any steam.

How to take care of Chanderi Silk Fabric?

Chanderi silk is known as the fabric of queens. Chanderi silk fabric is celebrated for its fine texture, transparency, luxurious appearance, and excellent work in design. It is best to dry clean Chanderi silk fabrics because of their texture. If there are no zari works on the Chanderi silk fabric, it can be machine washed on a cold setting using a mild detergent. The fabric should be air dry inside-out without direct sunlight.

How to take care of Organza Fabric?

Organza is a delicate, plain weave and stiff fabric. Because of its lightness and sheer starchy look, it is durable and comfortable. However, washing in a machine can prove to be harsh for organza fabrics. If washed in a washing machine, use a mild detergent with cold water and gentle wash settings. To remove the stains, one spoon of white vinegar can be added. Organza fabric should be air dried away from direct sunlight. Iron organza garments at a very low temperature and do not hold the iron in one place for too long. Store the organza fabric in a compact moisture-free space to avoid damage.

How to take care of Lycra Fabric?

Lycra fabric is highly resistant to heat and is recognized as an excellent addition to heat-sensitive synthetics like polyester and nylon. It is a synthetic fibre that has properties of stretchability. They can stretch up to 6 times their actual length without damaging or changing their true shape. Lycra fabrics can be hand washed or machine washed in lukewarm water with mild detergents.

How to take care of Crepe Fabric?

Crepe fabrics have a distinctively crisp, crinkled surface and wrinkled appearance. Crepe fabric has silk, wool, and nylon blends. The fabric has a flowy drape making it ideal for ethnic wear like salwar kameez and sarees. In addition, it is a lightweight fabric ideal for summer. Because crepe fabrics require little or no ironing, they are preferred for daily wear. Crepe fabrics are strictly meant for gentle hand-wash only.

How to take care of Ajrakh Fabric?

Ajrakh fabric is a particular type of unique block-printed fabric. It has a very detailed block printing mechanism which makes Ajrakh fabric different from other forms of fabric block printing. This printed fabric looks elegant as it uses natural dyes, mostly in shades of indigo blue, black, cream, and red. The fabric has printed designs on both sides. Ajrakh fabric can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Use only cold water to preserve the colour, print, and fabric quality. Hot water and sunlight can cause shrinkage of fabric.

How to take care of Nylon Fabric?

Nylon fabrics are incredibly elastic, stretchable, and water-resistant. They have a dense molecular structure; hence, they are resilient and durable. They also do not absorb moisture and dry quickly. Nylon fabrics are low maintenance and can be cold machine washed regularly with other clothes.

Now you know how to take care of your beloved fabrics. Shop for your favourite fabrics at SourceItRight, India’s #1 online fabric store. At SourceItRight, we have a vast collection of fabrics online at a reasonable price. Be it retail or wholesale; we are committed to providing you with the best possible prices.