How do you wash handmade cotton ethnic wear?

Wash handmade cotton ethnic wear by hand in cold water using a mild detergent. Turn inside out if machine washing on a delicate cycle. Avoid hot water, bleach, and soaking for more than 30 minutes. Always wash the first time separately in case of slight colour run.

Can block print ethnic wear go in the washing machine?

Light block print cotton kurtas without heavy embroidery can go in the washing machine on a delicate cycle in cold water (30 degrees max), turned inside out. Heavy embroidery, mirror work, and zari-heavy block print pieces should be hand washed only.

How do you store ethnic wear to prevent damage?

Always wash ethnic wear before storing. Fold in breathable cotton or muslin bags rather than plastic. Store with neem leaves or cedar blocks to deter moths. Never store worn but unwashed garments. For silk, wrap pieces individually in muslin to prevent colour transfer.

How do you iron block print ethnic wear?

Iron block print ethnic wear on the reverse side (inside out) on medium-high heat. Use steam for stubborn wrinkles. For embellished pieces with mirrors or sequins, place a cloth between the iron and fabric to protect the embellishments.

Does handmade cotton fabric shrink when washed?

Quality handmade cotton ethnic wear is pre-washed before finishing, so shrinkage in subsequent washes is minimal. Use cold or lukewarm water (never hot) and air dry instead of tumble drying to prevent shrinkage. The first wash may have very slight shrinkage; after that it stabilises.

How to Care for Handmade Cotton Ethnic Wear — A Complete Guide

September 9, 2026

How to Care for Handmade Cotton Ethnic Wear — A Complete Guide

Handmade ethnic wear lasts years — even decades — when cared for properly. Most people who end up disappointed with their pieces are washing them the same way they wash fast fashion synthetics. Cotton and natural fabrics need a slightly different approach, and it’s simpler than you’d think.

Washing Handmade Cotton Ethnic Wear

First Wash

Always wash new cotton ethnic wear separately the first time. Block print and hand-dyed cotton can run slightly in the first wash. Cold water, gentle hand wash, and a short rinse is all you need. After the first wash, colours will be set and stable.

Regular Washing

Hand wash preferred: Gentle hand wash in cold water is the safest for block print and embroidered pieces. Use a mild detergent — Genteel or similar. Avoid vigorous rubbing.
Machine wash acceptable: For plain cotton kurtas and co-ord sets without heavy embroidery, a delicate cycle (cold, 30°C max) works fine. Turn the garment inside out to protect the print surface and any embroidery.
Never hot water: Hot water shrinks cotton and fades prints faster. Always cold or lukewarm water.
Avoid soaking: Do not soak block print or hand-dyed cotton for extended periods — 30 minutes maximum. Long soaking bleeds dyes unevenly.

What to Avoid

Bleach — even colour-safe bleach strips natural dyes
Spin cycle on full speed for embroidered or mirror-work pieces
Dry cleaning for basic cotton — unnecessary and expensive
Washing heavily embellished pieces (heavy zari, mirrors) in machine — hand wash only

Drying

Always air dry cotton ethnic wear. Do not tumble dry — heat shrinks cotton and weakens natural fibres over time. Dry in shade rather than direct sunlight; UV rays fade printed fabric, especially block print with natural dyes.

If the garment is very wrinkled when wet, gently reshape it and hang on a wide hanger (not a narrow wire hanger that creates shoulder bumps). For dupattas, lay flat or hang over a rod to prevent stretching.

Ironing

Iron cotton on medium-high heat. Iron on the reverse side for block print and embroidered pieces to protect the print surface. Use steam for stubborn wrinkles. For mirror-work or sequins, place a cloth between the iron and the fabric.

Linen ethnic wear (if mixed or pure linen) benefits from ironing while slightly damp — wrinkles come out easier.

Storing Ethnic Wear

Clean before storing: Never store worn but unwashed ethnic wear. Body oils and sweat attract moths and accelerate fabric degradation. Always wash before putting away after festival season.
Fold, do not hang: For cotton kurtas and dupattas, fold and store in cotton bags or muslin cloth. Hanging for months can stretch necklines and shoulder seams of lighter cotton.
Avoid plastic bags: Plastic traps moisture which causes yellowing and mildew on natural fibres. Use breathable fabric storage bags.
Neem leaves or cedar: To deter moths naturally, place dried neem leaves or cedar blocks in storage. Avoid mothballs — the smell is very hard to remove from natural fibres.
Silk: Store silk in separate muslin wrapping. Silk can pick up colour from adjacent stored fabrics over time.

Special Care for Block Print

Genuine hand block print uses natural or vegetable dyes in many cases. These are sustainable but slightly more delicate than chemical dyes used in fast fashion. The result is a softer, more nuanced colour that improves with age — but only if washed correctly. Cold water, no harsh detergents, shade dry. That’s it.

Haus of Handmade’s cotton kurtas and co-ord sets use block print on quality cotton — these will outlast fast fashion polyester pieces by years if washed and stored properly.