Caring for silk sarees, so they last for years

Silk sarees are often worn a handful of times a year and stored for the rest. Most of the damage happens in the cupboard, not at the wedding.

After each wear

• Air it in the shade for a few hours before folding
• Spot-clean small marks straight away, or take it to a dry cleaner
• Never spray perfume directly onto silk or zari

In storage

Wrap each saree in soft muslin rather than plastic, so it can breathe. Refold it along different lines every few months, so the creases don’t set and split.

A well-kept silk saree looks better at ten years old than it did on day one.

Words by the FORM. studio.