
Caring for Your Ethnic Wear: Expert Tips for Longevity
Pallavi AbrolCaring for Your Ethnic Wear: Expert Tips for Longevity
Keep your sarees, lehengas, potli bags, kurtas, jackets, chunni/dupattas, and shoes looking beautiful for years.
Why Care Matters
At Urban Couture Ethnic Wear, we’re proud to offer high-quality Indian clothing and accessories that bring tradition and style to your wardrobe. Proper care keeps colors vibrant, beadwork intact, and fabrics feeling luxe—so every piece looks as special as the day you received it.
Caring for Men’s Kurtha Pajama Sets & Jackets
- Washing: Hand wash gently with mild detergent. For darker colors, wash separately to minimize fade. If using a machine, choose delicate and place items in a mesh bag.
- Dry Cleaning: Choose dry cleaning for silk or any heavily embellished pieces to maintain sheen and structure.
- Air Drying: Never use a dryer. Lay flat or hang to air dry to prevent shrinkage or distortion.
- Storage: Keep kurtas folded or hung in a cool, dry space. Use padded hangers for jackets to preserve shoulder shape.
Caring for Men’s Shoes
- Cleaning: Wipe regularly with a soft cloth. Use leather cleaner for leather and dedicated suede cleaner/brush for suede.
- Drying: If wet, stuff lightly with paper and air dry. Heat can warp faux leather, leather, and embellishments—avoid dryers and radiators.
- Storage: Store in dust bags to prevent scratches; use shoe trees if possible to maintain shape.
Caring for Women’s Potli Bags & Shoes
- Potli Cleaning: Do not wash. Dust with a soft brush or microfiber cloth. For small stains, dab (don’t rub) with a little isopropyl alcohol on a cloth—always test a small hidden area first.
- Loose Threads: Carefully trim with small hygiene scissors—avoid pulling so you don’t unravel beadwork.
- Storage: Keep in dust bags in a cool, dry place to protect beads and fabric.
- Women’s Shoes: Clean materials with the appropriate cleaner; air dry only and store in dust bags.
Caring for Women’s Sarees & Lehengas
- Washing: Hand wash with lukewarm water and mild detergent. Avoid wringing to protect fibers and embroidery.
- Dry Cleaning: Heavy, beaded, or intricately embroidered sarees/lehngas should be dry cleaned.
- Storage: Fold neatly or hang in a breathable garment bag away from sunlight. For heavily embellished lehengas, hang the skirt and dupatta separately to prevent snagging.
Caring for Chunnies (Dupattas/Scarves)
- Washing: Tie-dye chunni/dupattas: hand wash in cold water with mild detergent to reduce color bleed. Beaded or embellished styles should be hand washed gently—avoid machines.
- Air Dry: Lay flat or hang to dry. No dryer.
- Loose Threads: Trim carefully with small scissors; do not pull.
General Maintenance Tips for All Items
- Absolutely No Dryer: Heat damages delicate fibers, adhesives, and embellishments.
- Air Dry Only: Lay flat or hang in a ventilated area.
- Gentle Hand Wash: Use cold or lukewarm water and mild detergent; avoid harsh scrubbing.
- Spot Clean: Use a mild detergent solution or isopropyl alcohol for tiny stains; patch-test first.
- Smart Storage: Keep items cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Use breathable garment bags and dust bags.
Conclusion
With the right care, your ethnic wear can look exceptional for years. If you’re unsure about a specific fabric or embellishment, we’re happy to help—personal guidance can save your piece and your time.
Quick Care Q&A
Can I steam instead of iron?
Yes—steaming is gentler for most silks, chiffons, and nets. Keep the steamer head a few inches away. For heavy embroidery, steam from the reverse side or use a pressing cloth.
Color bleed on tie-dye—what do I do?
Rinse gently in cold water with a color-catcher sheet. Do not mix with other items. Always air dry flat to avoid dye transfer.
Oil or makeup stain on a saree?
Blot (don’t rub) with a paper towel. Dab with a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol or mild detergent solution on a cotton swab—test first. For silk or stubborn stains, use dry cleaning.
Beads are falling off my potli—help!
Place the bag on a flat surface and trim only the loose thread tail. Do not pull. For larger repairs, contact us—we can advise next steps.
How should I store heavy lehengas?
Support weight evenly: use wide padded hangers or store folded in a breathable garment bag with acid-free tissue. Keep away from sunlight and humidity.
My kurta collar lost shape—fix?
Lightly steam and shape with your fingers, then let it cool on a hanger. If needed, use a low-heat iron with a pressing cloth.
Can I wash embellished dupattas?
Hand wash very gently in cold water, support the embellished area with your palm, and avoid wringing. When in doubt, dry clean.
Handbag smells musty—what now?
Air it out in a shaded, ventilated space. Place a small open packet of baking soda nearby (not touching the fabric). Never use heat.
Need More Help?
Prefer step-by-step visuals? We’re happy to recommend care tutorials that match your fabric and embellishments. Contact us and tell us what piece you have.