Caring for naturally dyed garments is a little different than caring for conventionally dyed garments. It’s easy and will become routine - you just have to be selective with the soap you use and pay attention to the fabric.
To protect the natural dyes, it is important to use a pH neutral liquid detergent. Long exposure to direct sunlight will affect the natural dyes over time. If you line dry, we recommend doing so in the shade.
Recommended detergents: Ecos, Eucalan, Tru Earth or a mild liquid detergent no higher than pH 7. Always dissolve soap fully before adding garments to wash.
If your garment gets a stain, here are a few tips..
Most natural dyes will react to acid, so please be careful when handling citrus or citrus juices as they can remove colour. If you come across a stain, here are a few tips you can try.
- Make a small bath of warm water and add a small amount of a pH neutral soap, leave for 3-5 minutes and then wash as normal.
- Create tension around the stain and pour hot water through the fabric like a sieve. We like to do this over a sink with the help of another person. Careful not to scald yourself when using this technique.
- Stains will fade naturally over time and after a few washes.
- Avoid spot cleaning.
Naturally Dyed Clothing, Bedding & Fabric - Cotton, linen & heavier handweaves
- Gentle wash either in a machine or by hand with cool water.
- Use neutral soap or detergent.
- Turn garments inside-out, and wash with similar colours.
- Wash indigo with dark colors.
- Tumble dry on medium heat or hang to dry.
Fine Handweaves - Clothing, Scarves, Yarn & Interiors - Cotton, silk, wool, linen
- Wash by hand in cool water.
- Use neutral soap or detergent.
- Squeeze out excess water and roll in a towel.
- Hang to dry.
Embroidery Care Instructions
- Dry clean or hand wash only in cool water.
- Use neutral soap or detergent.
- Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture and lay flat to dry.
Bandhani Shawls and Scarves
If you wish to retain the sculptured nature it is necessary to dry clean only and do not press. If the texture is not essential, hand wash in cool water.
Dyeable Clothing and Blank Care
Scouring: If you plan to dye your garment or blank, don't forget to scour first. Scouring is a dyer’s term for a deep clean to remove any barriers that may affect the uptake of dye. Check out our detailed instructions on scouring here.
Care Instructions: Your fabric can be gently machine or hand washed with cool water. Immediately hang to dry or tumble dry on medium heat.
If you dye your garment with natural dyes - please be sure to protect the natural dyes by using a pH neutral liquid detergent. Wash with similar colours.