Simple Ways To Preserve Your Heirloom Saree

“And if you take care of things , they last”

And especially when it comes to sarees! In Sanskrit, "sari" means "strip of cloth". But for Indian women who like draping themselves in traditional luxury, a sari is more than just a simple strip of cloth, garment or fabric. Sarees, their unique designs & craftsmanship are symbols of national pride, representative of traditional (and cutting-edge) design and craftsmanship, and a testament to India's rich diversity.

Sarees are like personal treasures for women, the most loved ensemble that completes a woman’s wardrobe. Therefore, it is important to preserve and cherish this beloved attire. Preserving sarees is preserving your roots and tradition. In addition to the richness, elegance, and tradition, sarees are often treasured and passed from generation to generation.

However, fine authentic fabrics are susceptible to deterioration. Therefore, it is important to take care of these sarees with utmost care and preserve them in effective ways for these fine beauties to last generations. 

Benefits of Preserving Sarees

A woman draped in a saree is a vision of elegance. So why not share this vision for generations to last? The benefits of preserving sarees come in aplenty. So let us state out some important ones!

Sharing The Heritage

Needless to say, a saree is not just a “strip of cloth” but part of our cultural identity. Preserving sarees is equivalent to preserving your heritage and passing it on to younger generations to stay close to our roots.

Increasing Longevity

Investing in a good saree is always a great idea when you know how to take care of it the right way. Heirloom sarees are priced at higher rates compared to the massy commercially produced sarees. Therefore, when taken care of in a proper manner, the durability and longevity for these sarees last more than a lifetime.  

Enriched Quality

There are materials like Silk, Chanderi, Tussar, etc that age like fine wine. Yes, the quality of the cloth increases over time. So preserving these sarees will only add to the charm and fine quality that follows suit.

Sustainability

Brownie points if you are an environment enthusiast! Preserving sarees not just helps you to preserve your heritage and sentiments but also helps to become sustainable in the long run, which means less waste and less harm to the planet.

Cost Effective Methods of Preserving Heirloom Sarees

Let’s delve into some simple, traditional and cost-effective methods that will make your sarees last more than a lifetime.

Assort your sarees into cotton bags-

Sarees of different fabrics should not be stored together in order to make them last longer. Silk sarees like this midnight blue pure printed Tussar silk saree with hand embroidery should not be stored with cotton or chiffon. Store them into separate cotton bags instead. You can store 2-3 similar sarees together to save space.

Store sarees in enclosed spaces-

Direct sunlight weakens and gradually wears down the fabric, inclusive of fading the dye. It is better to store your saree in an enclosed space. Your sarees must not be stored in direct sunlight but should be exposed to sunlight for 30 minutes every six months. 

Use cloves instead of naphthalene balls-

Avoid chemicals to preserve rich pure fabric sarees like this Lilac pure crepe saree with all over platinum zari jaal and a platinum zari border. Use natural herbs like cloves in the folds of sarees to keep the insects away. This tradition has been practised for over ages. 

Remove stains properly-

Everyone is prone to mishaps. If you end up getting a stain on your favourite saree, act promptly and blot. Do not rub. Rubbing may spread the stain so dab away. the sooner a stain is treated, the easier it will be to remove. 

Send it for dry cleaning-

To preserve fine sarees like this heirloom dark red pure Tussar printed saree with embroidered butas, it is important to send it for dry cleaning over putting it for washing in the washing machine or hand washing with harsh detergents. 

Save sarees from dust-

Dust is a very common problem in India and also leads to damage to expensive sarees. In order to prevent this, make sure to pack your saree without any open ends. Use eco-friendly cotton zipless bags to store them. Using these eco-friendly bags will prevent dust, humidity, and light from damaging your sarees. These bags can be reused after washing again and again, reducing your storage expenses.

Don'ts of Preserving Expensive Sarees

Avoid plastic bags-

Don’t store your expensive sarees in plastic cover bags as it leads to fabric deterioration. Assort the sarees by their fabric and store them in separate cotton bags, clubbing the same fabrics together.

Avoid heavily illuminated places-

Heavy lighting in storage spaces must be avoided to not contribute to the deterioration of fabric. Keep your clothes in a cool dry space.

Don’t use direct perfume-

Avoid using perfumes directly on your sarees or using perfumes while storing the sarees. This leads to staining which is quite non-removable. 

Do not use hangers to store sarees-

Hanging sarees on metal hangers is not a good idea. Zari or silk can be damaged by metal reacting with them. While storing them, wrap them in cotton or muslin cloth or use a cloth or wooden hanger.

Preserving sarees is not a difficult task when done right. The best part? You get to share the joy of draping oneself in elegance and beauty by storing it for the future generations to use and reuse. 

These simple tips can go a long way in increasing the longevity of your sarees. We hope you find this information useful.