Some clothes look beautiful. Others feel beautiful. Chikankari does both. But because it’s all about delicate handwork, it also needs a little extra care.
At Saibo, every chikankari kurta woman wears is made with slow craftsmanship — stitched by hand, not machine. That means it lasts longer when treated gently.
Whether it's an everyday chikankari kurta or a festive piece with intricate chikan embroidery work, here’s how to keep it looking its best.
Why Chikankari Needs Special Care
Chikankari embroidery is done by hand using fine threads. The fabric underneath is often soft and breathable like cotton, muslin, or modal. These materials, while comfortable, are also sensitive to harsh detergents, machine cycles, and direct sunlight.
Each chikankari kurta woman wears from Saibo is designed to be easy, but not careless. A few simple habits can help you wear your pieces again and again without fading, shrinking, or fraying.
How to Wash Chikankari Clothing
1. Hand Wash Only
The safest method is always hand washing. Machine wash can stretch or damage both the embroidery and the fabric.
-
Fill a basin with cold water
-
Add a mild, bleach-free detergent
-
Gently swirl your garment in the water
-
Let it soak for 5–10 minutes
-
Rinse thoroughly with cold water
Avoid:
-
Harsh detergents
-
Fabric softeners
-
Hot water
These can weaken the stitching or make the color bleed especially for lighter chikankari kurta cotton fabrics.
2. Do Not Scrub or Wring
When removing water, never wring the fabric. This can pull the embroidery and distort the shape.
-
Gently press out the water by laying the kurta between two towels
-
Pat it dry instead of twisting or rubbing
How to Dry Chikankari the Right Way
1. Dry in the Shade
Sunlight might seem like a quick fix, but it can fade both the color and the embroidery.
-
Always dry your chikan embroidery work in the shade
-
Hang or lay it flat on a clean surface
-
Avoid using clothespins on embroidered areas — they can leave marks
If you’re drying a chikankari kurta cotton, lay it inside out to protect the outer embroidery.
How to Iron Chikankari
1. Iron on Reverse
Once your piece is completely dry:
-
Turn it inside out
-
Use the lowest heat setting on your iron
-
Place a thin cotton cloth over the fabric if needed
This prevents direct contact with the embroidery and keeps the threads from flattening.
Storage Tips for Chikankari Kurta Cotton
1. Fold, Don’t Hang
Hanging your chikankari kurta woman styles for long periods can cause the fabric to stretch — especially near the shoulders.
-
Fold your garments neatly
-
Store in breathable cotton bags
-
Keep away from moisture and direct light
2. Avoid Stacking Heavily
If you’re storing multiple embroidered pieces, stack them lightly. Too much weight can crush the detailing and cause creases that are hard to remove.
Bonus Tip: Pre-Wear Care
Before wearing a new chikankari kurta cotton, consider a light rinse or steam especially if it was folded for long. This helps refresh the fabric and remove minor creases without harming the embroidery.
What About Stains?
Accidents happen — but don’t panic.
-
Blot gently with cold water
-
Avoid rubbing the area
-
If needed, use a soft brush with a diluted detergent solution and spot-clean gently
When in doubt, reach out to a trusted dry cleaner — but make sure they understand how to handle chikankari embroidery.
Why Gentle Care Makes a Big Difference
Caring for chikankari is more than a laundry routine — it’s a quiet form of respect. These pieces aren’t mass-produced or machine-finished. They’re made one stitch at a time by hands that have perfected the art over years. When you choose to hand wash instead of tossing it into the machine, or when you dry it in the shade rather than under the sun, you’re not just preserving fabric — you’re preserving legacy.
A chikankari kurta may feel light on your skin, but it carries the weight of culture, technique, and hours of human effort. That’s what makes it different from factory-made embroidery. And the beauty is, caring for it doesn’t take much — just a little intention. With a few mindful habits, you can keep your chikankari pieces looking as graceful as the day you bought them. And each time you wear them, you’ll be reminded not only of how beautiful they are — but of the craft, tradition, and quiet luxury they represent. At Saibo, we believe your clothes should feel just as special as they look. And with the right care, they’ll stay that way for years.
The Saibo Promise
We design every piece at Saibo to be easy on your skin — and easy on your schedule. Most of our chikankari kurta cotton styles are low-maintenance when handled with a bit of love.
We don’t want you to feel afraid to wear something delicate. We want you to feel proud of it — and confident that it’ll last.
Every chikankari kurta woman wears from Saibo carries the story of the person who stitched it. When you care for it, you carry that story forward.
Looking to build a chikankari wardrobe that’s beautiful and wearable every day?
Explore our latest Chikankari kurta collections!.