How do you take care of your Dhakai Jamdani saree?
The original Dhakai Jamdani saree is a centuries-old traditional garment of Bangladesh, considered one of the most expensive and classic sarees to aspire to have in your wardrobe. It is entirely hand-loomed, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. You can purchase this saree for yourself or as a gift. On any occasion, particularly weddings and ceremonial events, these sarees add a touch of elegance, embodying the most distinguished traditional art form.
However, as much as you are captivated by every glimpse of hand-weaving, transparent, and intricate patterns in your jamdani saree, you cannot help but feel anxious about these sarees, as maintenance is a significant concern. Sometimes, they may get damaged if stored folded in your closet, or you may wear them so often that you risk wearing them out and encountering other issues.
Hence, these kinds of sarees are a treasure for you. Keeping this saree for years is a big challenge for you. Follow our tips to make sure you will not lose out on your precious pieces of the jamdani saree.
Tips on taking care of Jamdani saree
The fact that Jamdani sarees are delicate and dyed with natural colours requires special care, even though they can survive for many years. The slight error can ruin the entire fabric. Let’s look at how you can take care of your Jamdani saree.
Kata wash only: You can clean any expensive saree by dry washing, but jamdani sarees need to be kata washed to keep their patterns as intricate and detailed as they have been for years. Dry washing can displace the threads and cause irreparable damage. So, kata wash is the only way to clean up a Jamdani saree. Even if your favourite saree is damaged or faded, you can protect it by a kata wash. Moreover, keep in mind that only jamdani weavers know about this special wash, and you should have to give it to them for washing.
Way to remove the stain: The worst-case scenario is when your delicate Jamdani saree may stain with a drop of curry or sauce. If it happens, don’t get worried about this. You should wet the stain and apply white toothpaste to both sides of the fabric. Then, let it hang to dry for three days. After three days, use a wet rag, rubbing lightly to remove all traces of toothpaste from the saree. You will find that either the stain has been removed or lighter. If the stain does not go away, you can repeat the method.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Since the sarees’ vivid colours are light-sensitive, direct sunlight may cause them to fade. To keep its shine, store it in a cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight when you are not wearing it.
Gentle Folding: Make sure your jamdani saree is taken out of the closet every 20 to 30 days and unfolded, then folded gently again in another way. This practice will ensure your saree does not have permanent and stubborn fold marks and remove a musty smell. A Jamdani saree must never be under another saree. Keep these in a white paper packet while placing them in the wardrobe that protects your saree from fungus.
Handle with care: To prevent its threads from sagging, you should be humble when wearing it. Be careful about sharp edges of jewellery or accessories you wear that could pull threads. Besides, you must use a false border under the saree. Otherwise, your favourite saree may tear by the pressure of your shoes.
Keep away from water: Unlike regular sarees, jamdani sarees should not be cleaned with soap powder and water. It deteriorates in contact with water. So, they should keep away from water to maintain them as new. While creating a Jamdani saree, the weavers apply starch to the yarn to strengthen it and prevent it from loosening, ensuring the integrity and quality of the fabric throughout the weaving process.
Avoid leaving it too long: Usually, women wear jamdani sarees occasionally. The fact is, the more you wear it, the better it stays. For this reason, it is the best way to put jamdani on every so often.
Repaint the saree: If the colors of your Jamdani sarees have faded and become stained from frequent use, you can rejuvenate them by dyeing them with a rich, deep colour to restore their vibrancy and beauty. It is important to remember that in this situation, colour should be used in plain sarees. There is no way to paint the multicoloured jamdani saree.
Proper maintenance can extend the life of Jamdani sarees to several years or generations. Following these simple instructions, you can keep your unique Dhakai Jamdani sarees in perfect shape, and continue to stun with their boundless grace.
Written by
Susmita Sikder
