The Journal
Caring for Your Chikankari and Fine Cottons
Priti Raj · 6 June 2026
Beautiful clothes deserve a little care, and the good news is that ours do not ask for much. A few gentle habits will keep your prints crisp, your whites soft and your handwork intact for years.
The golden rules
- Wash less, air more. Most pieces simply need airing after wearing. Wash only when they truly need it.
- Cold water, gentle hands. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Skip the brush, the wringing and the soaking.
- Separate your colours. Wash deep and bright shades on their own for the first few washes.
- Dry in the shade. Direct sun fades natural dyes and prints. Dry flat or on a padded hanger, away from harsh light.
Chikankari and fine embroidery
Hand embroidery is delicate by nature, and that is part of its beauty. Turn the piece inside out before washing, handle it gently, and never wring it. For anything heavily worked, or for your most special pieces, dry cleaning is the safest choice.
Pure cottons and mul
Soft cottons love a gentle hand wash and a low, cool iron while still slightly damp. A light starch can bring back crispness if you like a more structured look. Store them folded with a little room to breathe.
Silks, organza and festive pieces
Treat festive and structured fabrics to professional dry cleaning. Store them on padded hangers, ideally in a breathable cotton cover, and tuck in a sachet to keep them fresh.
Storing for the season
Make sure everything is clean and fully dry before you put it away. Fold heavier pieces, hang the structured ones, and keep them out of plastic so the fabric can breathe.
Cared for kindly, a Noor-e-Prit piece is not for one season. It is for the many afternoons, evenings and celebrations still to come.