Heirloom Care
Care & Preservation
A piece of chikankari is not merely a garment. It is an accumulation of hours — weeks, sometimes months — of a single artisan's attention. Treat it accordingly.
Washing
The Gentle Wash
Water is both friend and threat to chikankari.
The delicate threadwork of chikankari demands patience at the basin. Fill a clean bowl with cold water and a capful of mild pH-neutral detergent — never enzyme-based, which will weaken the thread fibres over time. Submerge the garment gently and leave it to soak for no more than five minutes. Work the fabric between your palms in soft, pressing motions; never rub or wring. Rinse twice in fresh cold water until the water runs completely clear.
Do
- Use cold water only
- pH-neutral or silk-specific detergent
- Soak for 5 minutes maximum
- Press — never rub or twist
- Rinse until water runs clear
Never
- Machine washing of any kind
- Hot or warm water
- Enzyme or biological detergents
- Bleach or optical brighteners
- Soaking longer than 10 minutes
Long-Term Guardianship
Making it Heirloom-Grade
Annual Airing
Bring each piece out once a year. Unfold it fully, allow it to breathe in a clean, shaded room for several hours, then refold freshly.
Wear with Intention
Avoid direct contact with perfume, deodorant, and oils. Apply fragrance before dressing and allow it to dry completely first.
Spot-Clean Swiftly
Address stains immediately with a barely damp white cloth, blotting gently. Never rub. Take to a specialist dry cleaner if the stain persists.
Professional Care
For heavily soiled pieces or heirloom garments passed down generations, seek a specialist in Indian textiles or silk conservation — not a standard dry cleaner.
"A garment cared for becomes a relic. A relic becomes a story. A story becomes a family."
— Isha Kesarwani