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Hand block printed and eco printed pieces are made to be lived in, washed and loved, but they ask for gentleness. Every RangMudra piece is printed by hand on natural-fibre cloth. Many are coloured with plant dyes like turmeric, madder, pomegranate peel and indigo. These colours are alive: they breathe, mellow and deepen with age. Treating them well is the simplest way to honour the hours that went into making them.
The first wash
Before the first wear, soak the piece for ten minutes in cold water with a tablespoon of rock salt. Wash it separately for the first three washes. A little colour bleed is natural and will settle over time.
Day-to-day washing
- Hand wash, or use a gentle machine cycle in cold water.
- Use a mild, neutral detergent. Never use bleach.
- Don't soak printed pieces for long or scrub the printed areas. Swish them gently instead.
- Dry in the shade, inside out. Direct sun fades natural dyes.
- Iron on the reverse side while the cloth is still slightly damp.
Eco printed silk and wool
Leaf prints on silk and wool need even more care than block printed cotton:
- Wash by hand in cold water with a gentle, pH-neutral wash. Strong or alkaline detergents can shift plant colours.
- Never wring silk. Roll it in a towel to press out the water, then dry it flat or on a hanger in the shade.
- Iron silk on a low setting, on the reverse.
Storing your pieces
- Store pieces clean and fully dry, folded in a cotton or muslin cloth rather than plastic, so the fabric can breathe.
- Refold sarees and stoles every few months, so a crease doesn't settle in the same place.
- Keep them away from direct light and damp cupboards.
Spills and stains
Dab a spill with cold water as soon as you can. Don't rub, because rubbing spreads the stain and wears the print. Avoid stain removers and bleach on printed areas. For a precious silk piece, take it to a dry cleaner who handles hand-dyed textiles.
Caring for what you printed at a workshop
If you printed a tote bag, T-shirt or stole with us, let it dry completely before you fold or pack it. Then follow the first-wash steps above. If you haven't joined us yet, see what happens at our block printing workshop in Bangalore and eco printing workshop.
Pieces made to last
Looked after this way, hand printed cloth lasts for decades and gets softer with every wash. Explore the studio's block printed Kanjivaram silk sarees, cotton bedspreads, table runners and eco printed silk stoles, or browse the full collection.
