Hand block printed fabric has a way of becoming a favourite. The kurta that gets softer every season, the bedsheet that smells of sunshine, the stole you reach for without thinking. With a little care, these pieces can last many years and actually improve with age. Treat them like mill-printed polyester, though, and colours fade, edges fray and prints crack. Here is how to look after them properly, whether you bought them from a Jaipur market or printed them yourself at an event.
Why handmade prints need gentler care
Block printed cloth is usually cotton, mul, cambric or silk, all natural fibres that respond to heat, friction and harsh chemicals. The colour may be a natural dye locked into the fibre with a mordant, or a pigment held on the surface by a binder. Both survive normal use well, but both are vulnerable to the same things: very hot water, strong bleach, aggressive spinning and long hours in harsh sun. Hand-finished fabric also often carries a little extra colour from the printing and fixing stages, which washes out in the first few cycles.
The first wash
The first wash matters most. Many block printed pieces release some loose colour at this stage, especially deep reds, indigos and blacks.
- Wash the piece alone in cold water.
- Some people add a spoon of salt or a little vinegar to the first soak. It does not chemically fix modern dyes, but it does no harm and many families swear by it.
- Do not soak for hours. A short soak of ten to fifteen minutes is enough.
- Rinse until the water runs mostly clear.
Colour bleeding in the first wash is normal and not a sign of poor quality. Persistent bleeding over many washes is a different matter and may suggest the colour was not properly fixed.
Everyday washing habits
Hand wash or gentle cycle
Hand washing in cold or lukewarm water is ideal. If you use a machine, choose a delicate or hand-wash cycle, turn the garment inside out and place smaller items like stoles in a mesh laundry bag. Avoid washing block prints with heavy denim or towels, which create friction.
Choose a mild detergent
Use a mild liquid detergent or a gentle soap meant for delicates. Avoid detergents with optical brighteners and never use chlorine bleach. Many households in Rajasthan still wash fine cottons with soapnut (reetha) water, which is gentle on both fibre and colour. Dissolve powder detergent fully before adding clothes, so undissolved grains do not sit on the fabric and cause patches.
Do not wring hard
Twisting wet cotton tightly stresses both the fibres and the printed surface. Press water out gently, or roll the piece in a towel and squeeze.
Drying the right way
Sun drying is part of Indian textile culture, and it is good for freshness, but long exposure to strong afternoon sun fades many colours, natural yellows in particular. Dry block printed pieces inside out, in shade or in gentle morning sun, and bring them in once dry. For bedsheets and curtains, alternate the side facing out over different washes so fading stays even.
Avoid tumble drying. High heat shrinks cotton and can make pigment prints stiff over time.
Ironing and pressing
- Iron on the reverse side, while the fabric is still very slightly damp.
- Use a cotton setting for cotton and a low setting for silk or blends.
- For heavily printed areas, place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric.
- Avoid spraying starch directly onto deep colours, which can leave light marks.
Light, regular ironing actually helps pigment prints, as gentle heat keeps the binder settled.
Storage and long-term care
Store block printed fabric clean and completely dry, folded loosely in a cupboard away from damp walls. Change fold lines every few months for pieces that are rarely used, such as heirloom sarees or bedcovers, since permanent folds weaken fibres. Neem leaves or cedar blocks help keep insects away. Avoid plastic bags for long storage; a cotton or muslin bag lets the cloth breathe.
Natural dye pieces
Natural dye textiles mellow over time. Indigo softens, madder reds warm up and the whole piece gains a lived-in charm. Accept this as part of their character. To slow it, keep them out of direct sunlight, wash with pH-neutral soap and avoid alkaline detergents, which can shift some natural colours.
Caring for pieces printed at events
If you printed a tote, stole or napkin at a live station, your piece was heat-set on site. To get the best life out of it:
- Wait at least two to three days before the first wash so the binder settles fully.
- Give it a quick press with a hot iron on the reverse before washing for extra security.
- Wash inside out in cold water and dry in shade.
Follow this and the print you made will stay bright for a long time. Curious how these event pieces are made? Our block printing station in Jaipur page explains the setup, and you can see more finished pieces on our gallery page.
A simple habit to remember
Cold water, mild soap, inside out, shade dry, reverse iron. Those five habits cover nearly everything. Block printed fabric was made by hand with patience, and it repays the same patience in care with years of comfortable, colourful use.
Block Printing Artist in Jaipur & across India
A hands-on hand block printing station rooted in Sanganeri and Bagru craft, where guests print their own tote bag, stole or napkin to take home.