Lehengas are a classic ethnic wear option that most Indian women buy for special events and occasions. Buy lehenga Whether it’s a lehenga from your bridal trousseau or an outfit you bought for the festive season, the three-piece ensemble holds a lot of meaning for the wearer. Such sentimental and cherished clothing deserves all the TLC you can provide, and we’re here to make sure of it.
No matter how careful you are while wearing a lehenga, natural elements like dust, soil, and water are bound to come in contact with the garment. If you’re wearing it outdoors, the skirt of the lehenga will drag on the floor. Whether you’re wearing it during the day or at night, sweat and oils from your body can also stain your garments if not washed properly. From spot cleaning and handwashing to storage, follow this guide to maintain your lehengas and to make sure it looks as good as new for a long time.
Maintenance Tips And Guidelines:
- Professional Help: Buy Lehenga as per your preference; Expensive lehengas and bespoke sets can have several delicate embroidered details like zari, beads, and sequins. While the best option is to leave it to professional cleaners to take care of these luxurious garments, there are key steps you can take for the best results. First, check the entire lehenga set for stains and take a note. Make sure you communicate these problem areas while dropping off the lehenga. While receiving the lehenga, ensure that the stained areas are clean and check if it has been folded with tissues between the layers and packaged well.
- Spot Cleaning: Immediately wash any oil or food spills to avoid permanently staining the garment. Letting the lehenga sit in a laundry basket for a long time may also make stains harder to remove or intensify sweat marks. Lightly dab the soiled area with a tissue to absorb the grease and apply mild soap. Then gently scrub away any remaining spots with a soft-bristled brush and wash.
- Prep To Wash At Home: You can easily wash lightweight lehengas and sets without heavy embellishments at home. Before washing the lehenga, remove any detachable accessories like latkans and tie up open laces to avoid tangling. Check the wash and care instructions on the label to ensure you are equipped to clean the garment. For example, you can use hot water to clean cotton while delicate satin and chiffon would require a cold wash. Washing with cold water is also preferable for dyed fabrics as it minimises colour bleeding or staining other garments. Use gentle cleaners and softeners that don’t have bleach.
- Handwash: Run a small area under water to first ensure that the fabric is not bleeding colour. If it is, it would be preferable to soak and wash each piece separately. As mentioned above, cold water would be the best to retain the vibrant colour of your lehenga. Follow the spot removal method for any stains you spot during this stage.
- 5. Machine Wash: It is not recommended to machine wash special occasion garments as it can damage the stones and beads or embroidery. Even if you’re in a pinch and need an outfit urgently, only machine-wash lightweight lehengas without embellishments. Remember to test for colour bleeding and only wash on a delicate setting with cold water and mild liquid soap.
- Drying: After washing the lehenga, resist the urge to wring dry. Instead, first, dab away any excess moisture with a soft towel. Then lay the lehenga flat and roll it in towels to remove most of the moisture and let it dry completely. Air drying is the best option for lehengas and direct sunlight can damage the colour. Once most of the water has evaporated, reshape the lehenga and let it continue drying. Don’t use heaters or sources like hair dryers to speed up the process as it can damage the fabric.
- Folding: Once completely dry, use a steamer to get rid of any wrinkles as it keeps the embellishments safe. If there are flat areas of the cloth you wish to iron, lay a dry towel or cloth above the lehenga and use the ironing tool on the lowest setting. You can use an iron over flat areas on the lowest setting.
- Storage: Hanging clothes is one of the most common ways of storage. However, lehengas are not used in everyday life and letting them hang for a long time may cause the fabric to stretch. Folding the lehenga and storing it in a breathable fabric bag will allow for air circulation. If you don’t have space to store a folded lehenga, use padded hangers to provide maximum support.
Additional Tips:
Washing and storing the lehenga properly will help elongate its life. Periodically check the lehenga for damage, discolouration, and any loose threads. If you find damage, get it fixed as soon as possible. While removing it from storage, unfold it with care as it will help you avoid ripping up tangled embellishments. Don’t spray perfumes or deodorants directly on the fabric as it may stain. Similarly, ensure that the lehenga does not come in contact with make-up products like body shimmer.
