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Part 2 of 6 in Aakritee Fashion's Complete Saree Care Series

There's a moment of hesitation every saree owner knows — standing at the sink or washing machine, beautiful fabric in hand, wondering: Am I about to ruin this?

The fear is understandable. We've all heard the horror stories: silk that lost its sheen, colours that bled into each other, zari that tarnished overnight. But here's the truth — most saree washing disasters happen not because washing itself is dangerous, but because someone used the wrong method for the wrong fabric.

In Part 1, you learned to identify your saree fabrics. Now we put that knowledge to work. This guide gives you step-by-step washing methods for every major fabric type, with specific product recommendations available in Sydney and techniques adapted for Australian water and climate conditions.

By the end, you'll approach saree washing with confidence rather than dread.

Before You Begin: The Universal Pre-Wash Checklist

Regardless of fabric type, run through this checklist before washing any saree:

1. Check for colorfastness Dampen a white cotton cloth and press it firmly against an inconspicuous area of the saree (inside the pallu or near the fall). If colour transfers to the cloth, the saree will bleed — either dry clean it or wash it alone in cold water with salt added.

2. Inspect for damage Look for loose threads, small tears, or weakened areas. Washing can turn minor damage into major problems. Repair first, wash second.

3. Note embellishments Zari, sequins, beads, mirrors, and embroidery all need special consideration. Heavy embellishment usually means dry cleaning is the safer choice.

4. Check for stains Treat stains before washing, not after. Water can set certain stains permanently. See Part 3: Stain Removal for specific treatments.

5. Read any labels If your saree has a care label, respect it. Manufacturers know their fabrics.

Method 1: Hand Washing (For Most Sarees)

Hand washing is the safest method for the majority of sarees. It's gentler than machine washing and gives you control over the process.

What You'll Need

• Large clean basin, bathtub, or laundry tub
• Mild detergent (see recommendations below)
• Clean, soft towels
• Padded hangers or drying rack
• Optional: white vinegar, salt

Detergent Recommendations (Available in Sydney)

Avoid: Regular laundry powder, anything with bleach or optical brighteners, harsh stain removers.

Step-by-Step Hand Washing

Step 1: Prepare the water Fill your basin with cool to lukewarm water — never hot. For silk, stick to cool (under 30°C). For cotton, lukewarm (up to 40°C) is fine.

Add detergent sparingly. You need far less than you think — about one teaspoon for a full basin. Too much detergent leaves residue that dulls fabric.

Step 2: Submerge and soak Gently lower the saree into the water. Don't bunch it up — let it spread naturally. For lightly soiled sarees, 10-15 minutes is enough. For everyday cotton that's genuinely dirty, up to 30 minutes is fine.

For silk, minimise soaking time. Five to ten minutes maximum.

Step 3: Wash gently Here's where most people go wrong: they scrub. Don't scrub.

Instead, lift the saree up and down in the water, letting the water move through the fabric. Gently squeeze sections (don't twist or wring). Pay attention to areas that touch skin — the part that wraps around your waist, the pallu that drapes over your shoulder.

For stubborn spots, press the fabric between your palms rather than rubbing.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water. Rinse by lifting and lowering the saree until no soap remains. This usually takes two or three water changes.

Pro tip for Sydney's hard water: Add a splash of white vinegar (about two tablespoons) to your final rinse. This helps remove mineral deposits and restores softness to the fabric. For silk, it also helps maintain sheen.

Step 5: Remove excess water Never wring a saree. Instead, lift it from the water and let it drain naturally for a minute. Then lay it flat on a clean, dry towel, roll the towel up with the saree inside, and press gently to absorb water.

For silk, you may need to repeat with a second dry towel.

Step 6: Dry properly See the drying section below.

Method 2: Machine Washing (For Sturdy Cottons Only)

Let's be clear: machine washing is only appropriate for sturdy, mill-made cotton sarees with no delicate embellishments. Never machine wash silk, handloom, georgette, or heavily embellished sarees.

When Machine Washing Is Acceptable

✅ Plain cotton sarees for everyday wear ✅ Cotton sarees with minimal, colourfast prints ✅ Synthetic sarees (check care label)

When Machine Washing Is NOT Acceptable

❌ Any silk saree ❌ Handloom sarees (the weave is more delicate) ❌ Sarees with zari, embroidery, sequins, or mirrors ❌ Georgette, chiffon, or other delicate fabrics ❌ Anything you'd be devastated to damage

Step-by-Step Machine Washing

Step 1: Use a mesh laundry bag This is non-negotiable. A mesh bag (available at Kmart, Target, or any homewares store for under $10) protects the saree from tangling and reduces friction.

Fold the saree loosely and place it in the bag. Don't stuff multiple sarees in one bag.

Step 2: Select the right settings - Cycle: Delicate or hand wash cycle - Water temperature: Cold (30°C or below) - Spin: Low or no spin — high spin can stress the fabric

Step 3: Use minimal detergent Half the amount you'd use for regular laundry. Liquid detergent dissolves better than powder.

Step 4: Wash alone or with like colours Even colourfast cotton can release some dye. Don't risk your other laundry.

Step 5: Remove promptly Don't let the saree sit in the machine after the cycle ends. Remove it immediately to prevent creasing and mildew.

Method 3: Dry Cleaning (For Precious Pieces)

Some sarees should go straight to a professional. No exceptions, no shortcuts.

Always Dry Clean

• Heavy Banarasi silk with real gold/silver zari
• Kanjivaram silk sarees
• Antique or heirloom pieces
• Sarees with extensive embroidery, mirror work, or stone embellishments
• Any saree you cannot afford to replace
• Anything you're uncertain about

Finding a Good Dry Cleaner in Sydney

Not all dry cleaners understand Indian textiles. Before handing over a precious saree, ask these questions:

1. "Do you have experience with Indian silk sarees?" If they hesitate, keep looking.

2. "What solvent do you use?" Perchloroethylene (PERC) is standard. Some newer cleaners use gentler alternatives — both are generally fine for silk.

3. "How do you handle zari work?" Real zari (gold/silver thread) can tarnish with certain processes. A knowledgeable cleaner will know this.

4. "Can you press it on a saree press or will you use a steam iron?" Traditional pressing is gentler on embellishments.

Where to look: The dry cleaners in Harris Park and Parramatta often have experience with Indian textiles due to the local community. Ask other saree-wearing friends for recommendations — word of mouth is invaluable.

Expect to pay: $25-40 for a standard silk saree, $40-70 for heavily embellished pieces. If someone quotes you $15 for a Banarasi, be cautious about the quality of care.

Drying Your Sarees Correctly

How you dry a saree matters as much as how you wash it.

The Golden Rules

1. Never tumble dry. The heat and tumbling action will damage almost any saree fabric.

2. Avoid direct sunlight. UV rays fade colours, especially on silk. This is particularly relevant in Sydney's strong summer sun.

3. Don't hang from one point. A wet saree hung from a single clip will stretch unevenly.

The Best Drying Method

For most sarees: Drape the saree over a clean, padded rod or a clothesline covered with a towel. Spread it so the weight is distributed along the full length. Dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area.

For silk: Silk dries faster than you'd expect. Check it regularly — over-drying can make silk stiff. Remove while very slightly damp and lay flat or hang for the final few percent of drying.

For cotton: Cotton can handle more robust drying. A clothesline in the shade is fine. You can also dry flat on a clean sheet if you have the space.

In Sydney's humidity: During humid summer months, sarees may take longer to dry and can develop a musty smell if not dried in good airflow. Use a fan in the drying area if needed, or dry during the middle of the day when humidity is lowest.

Ironing and Pressing

Most sarees will need pressing after washing. The approach varies by fabric:

Silk

Iron on low heat while the saree is very slightly damp. Always iron on the reverse side. Use a pressing cloth (a clean cotton handkerchief works) between the iron and fabric. Never use steam directly on silk — it can water-spot.

Cotton

Cotton can handle medium to high heat. Iron while still slightly damp for best results, or use a spray bottle to mist the fabric. You can iron directly on cotton, but a pressing cloth protects prints.

Georgette and Chiffon

Low heat only, always with a pressing cloth. These fabrics scorch easily.

Zari and Embellishments

Iron only on the reverse side, on a padded surface (a folded towel works). Keep the iron moving and never let it sit directly on zari — heat can tarnish metallic threads.

Special Situations

Washing a Saree for the First Time

New sarees often have excess dye or finishing agents. For the first wash, add a tablespoon of salt to the water (this helps set colours) and wash alone in case of bleeding.

Saree Smells Musty After Storage

Air it in the shade for a few hours first. If the smell persists, wash using the method above and add vinegar to the rinse. See Part 5: Preventing Moth Damage & Yellowing for storage tips.

You're Not Sure What Fabric It Is

When in doubt, treat it like silk — cold water, minimal handling, no wringing. Or bring it into our Woodcroft boutique and we'll help you identify it.

Quick Reference: Washing Methods by Fabric

What's Next?

Even with the most careful washing, stains happen — and some stains need treatment before you wash, not after. In Part 3: Saree Stain Removal Guide, we cover emergency treatments for turmeric, oil, wine, makeup, and more — including what to do when disaster strikes at an event.

Continue the Series: - Part 1: Understanding Your Saree Fabrics - Part 2: How to Wash Your Sarees (you are here) - Part 3: Saree Stain Removal Guide - Part 4: The Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Sarees - Part 5: Preventing Moth Damage & Yellowing - Part 6: Professional Saree Care in Sydney

Aakritee Fashion is a Sydney-based Indian ethnic wear boutique located in Woodcroft, Western Sydney. We offer personalised styling, quality handloom and silk sarees, and Australia-wide delivery. Visit our store or shop online.