Air after wearing
Let the saree breathe in a shaded, well-ventilated space before folding it away.
The Atey Care Guide
Keep what you love, longer.
A saree carries more than fabric. It carries craft, memory and the quiet marks of every occasion. Thoughtful care helps preserve its colour, fall and character for years to come.
Before you begin
Let the saree guide the care.
Always begin with the care instructions supplied with your saree or listed on its product page. Fibre, dye, weave, zari, embroidery and finishing can change how a saree should be cleaned.
When the composition is uncertain, the colour is highly saturated, or the saree includes metallic threads, hand painting or embellishment, choose a professional cleaner experienced with Indian textiles.
The safest rule
Do not machine wash, tumble dry, bleach, wring or scrub a saree unless its individual care instructions expressly allow it.
The essentials
Six habits for every saree.
Keep perfume away
Apply perfume, deodorant and hairspray before draping. Never spray directly onto the fabric.
Blot, never rub
For a spill, lift excess gently and blot with a clean white cloth. Rubbing can spread dye or disturb the weave.
Dry away from sun
Direct sunlight can fade colour and weaken delicate fibres. Dry only in shade when home washing is permitted.
Press with protection
Iron on the reverse using the suitable heat setting, with a clean cotton cloth between the iron and saree.
Store it breathing
Use a clean cotton or muslin cover. Avoid long-term storage in sealed plastic.
Care by material
Find your saree.
Open the closest fabric family below. For blended sarees, follow the instructions for the most delicate fibre or decorative element in the composition.
Pure Silk & Silk Blends Dry clean preferred
Cleaning
Professional dry cleaning is the safest choice, especially for the first few cleans, rich colours, zari or formal silks.
If hand washing is allowed
Use cool to lukewarm water and a small amount of neutral, silk-safe cleanser. Wash briefly and separately. Do not soak.
Drying
Never wring. Press water out gently between clean towels, reshape and dry flat in shade.
Ironing
Iron on the reverse at low to medium heat. Use a pressing cloth and avoid spraying water directly onto silk.
Tussar, Assam, Muga & Matka Silk Specialist care
Cleaning
Choose a dry cleaner familiar with handloom and natural silks. Avoid repeated cleaning when airing is sufficient.
Texture
These silks may have natural slubs and tonal variation. Do not pull, trim or aggressively brush the surface.
Stains
Do not apply water, detergent or home remedies directly. Blot gently and seek professional treatment promptly.
Storage
Wrap in breathable cotton or muslin and refold periodically so one crease does not carry the saree’s weight for too long.
Cotton, Mul Cotton, Khadi & Everyday Handloom Gentle hand wash
Cleaning
Wash separately by hand in cold water with a mild liquid detergent, provided the product instructions permit washing.
Colour care
Dark and hand-dyed colours may release some excess dye initially. Do not soak, mix colours or use bleach.
Drying
Gently squeeze without twisting. Support the saree’s weight and line dry in shade.
Ironing
Iron on the reverse at medium heat. Light starch may be used only when suitable for the weave and tested first.
Chanderi, Organza & Tissue Dry clean preferred
Cleaning
Professional dry cleaning is recommended to protect crispness, transparency, metallic yarns and woven motifs.
Handling
Remove jewellery and pins carefully. Avoid catching the fabric on rough surfaces or pulling loose yarns.
Ironing
Use low heat on the reverse with a pressing cloth. Avoid direct steam on zari, metallic tissue or delicate motifs.
Storage
Store with soft folds or roll around an acid-free tube. Change fold lines periodically.
Chiffon, Georgette & Crepe Delicate care
Cleaning
Dry clean embellished or premium pieces. Plain washable versions may be hand washed only when the care instructions allow it.
Washing
Use cold water and mild cleanser. Move gently through the water; do not soak, scrub, twist or wring.
Drying
Support the fabric while wet. Dry flat or carefully line dry in shade to prevent stretching.
Ironing
Use the lowest effective temperature on the reverse. Always test a hidden area first.
Linen & Linen Tissue Care depends on blend
Cleaning
Plain linen may be gently hand washed if permitted. Linen tissue, zari borders and structured blends are safer dry cleaned.
Washing
Use cold water and mild liquid detergent. Avoid bleach, long soaking and forceful agitation.
Drying
Reshape while damp and dry in shade. Do not over-dry, as this can make pressing more difficult.
Ironing
For plain linen, iron on the reverse while slightly damp at a suitable medium setting. Use low heat for tissue blends.
Satin & Viscose-Based Sarees Low heat only
Cleaning
Follow the product instructions closely. Dry clean sarees with a glossy finish, deep colour, embellishment or uncertain blends.
If washable
Hand wash briefly in cold water with mild cleanser. Do not soak, rub or twist, as wet viscose can be delicate.
Drying
Press moisture out gently with a towel, reshape and dry flat in shade.
Ironing
Iron on the reverse at low heat with a pressing cloth to protect the surface sheen.
Jamdani, Ikat & Heritage Weaves Preserve the weave
Cleaning
Dry cleaning is preferred for fine, silk-based, colour-sensitive or supplementary-weft handloom sarees.
Handling
Do not tug at floating yarns, woven motifs or natural irregularities. Fold gently without sharply crushing the pallu.
Colour
Keep away from prolonged sunlight and dampness. If home washing is allowed, wash separately and do not soak.
Storage
Use breathable wrapping and refold periodically. Keep heavy sarees flat rather than hanging them for long periods.
Hand-Painted, Madhubani & Artisan-Printed Sarees Dry clean only
Cleaning
Use a reputable professional cleaner. Water, stain removers and spot cleaning may disturb pigments, outlines or colour balance.
Ironing
Iron only on the reverse at low heat, with a clean pressing cloth. Never place the iron directly over painted areas.
Wear
Avoid direct contact with perfume, deodorant, oils and moisture. Let skincare products absorb fully before draping.
Storage
Place clean, acid-free tissue between painted folds and store flat in a cool, dry space.
Zari, Sequins, Embroidery & Embellishment Dry clean only
Cleaning
Choose professional dry cleaning and point out all embellishment, stains and fragile areas before treatment.
Handling
Remove pins slowly and keep jewellery from catching. Never pull a loose thread; secure it professionally.
Ironing
Do not iron directly over zari, sequins or embroidery. Press from the reverse on a padded surface at low heat.
Storage
Place soft tissue between folds, keep embellishment facing inward and avoid stacking heavy items on top.
Ready-to-Wear & Pre-Pleated Sarees Protect the construction
Cleaning
Follow the base fabric’s care instructions, but prefer dry cleaning when pleats, stitching, hooks, elastic or structure are present.
Before cleaning
Inform the cleaner that the saree is pre-stitched. Close hooks gently and point out adjustable or detachable components.
Ironing
Press pleats from the reverse without stretching the waistband or disturbing the stitched fall.
Storage
Fold along the constructed pleats and store flat. Avoid hanging heavy pre-pleated sarees for extended periods.
Between occasions
Store with the same care you wear it.
Air before folding
Make sure the saree is completely dry and free from perspiration before storage.
Use breathable covers
Choose washed cotton or muslin. Avoid sealed plastic for long-term storage.
Change the folds
Refold periodically, especially for silk, zari, tissue and handloom sarees, to reduce stress along permanent creases.
Keep it cool and dry
Protect from direct sunlight, damp walls, excess humidity and heat.
Separate ornamentation
Use soft, acid-free tissue between zari, embroidery, sequins, painted areas and adjacent fabric.
Avoid direct chemicals
Do not allow moth repellents, fragrance, oils or other chemicals to touch the saree directly.
When something spills
Pause before you treat it.
- Lift any solid residue carefully with a clean spoon or blunt edge. Do not scrape the fabric.
- Blot liquid from both sides with an absorbent white cloth. Do not rub or spread the stain.
- Do not apply bleach, lemon, salt, baking soda, stain remover or hot water without fabric-specific guidance.
- Keep the affected area away from heat, as heat can set some stains and damage delicate fibres.
- Take valuable, silk, painted or embellished sarees to a specialist promptly and explain what caused the stain.
A final note
Made to stay begins with care.
This guide offers general care recommendations. The instructions supplied with the individual saree always take priority because finishes, dyes, blends and craftsmanship vary from piece to piece.
Atey Sarees · Made to stay.