Woman artisan in yellow sari at the Daughters of India production facility

INDIA & PLACE

CARING FOR
handmade GARMENTS

A garment made by hand deserves to be cared for by hand. With gentle treatment, your Daughters of India piece will age beautifully and serve you for years to come.

WHY HANDMADE NEEDS gentle CARE

A hand block-printed garment is not the same as a mass-produced one, and it should not be treated the same way. This is not fragility ~ it is character.

The very qualities that make a handmade garment beautiful ~ the hand-applied dyes, the artisan-stitched seams, the natural fibres, the subtle variations in colour ~ are qualities that respond to care. The eco-friendly AZO-free dyes used by Daughters of India are chosen for their reduced environmental impact and their beautiful, warm colour qualities ~ and they respond best to cool water and gentle handling.

Proper care does not mean complicated care. It means mindful care. And the reward is a garment that develops a patina of gentle use, growing softer and more personal with each wearing.

“We recommend a gentle, cold water hand wash using natural detergents, and hang drying in the shade. Handcrafted garments are delicate, however, designed to last when treated mindfully with love and care.”

Daughters of India

Artisan carefully cutting fabric at the garment construction table
Fabric submerged in a natural dye bath during the hand-dyeing process
Artisan hand-finishing a garment at the sewing workshop

WASHING AND drying GUIDE

01

Cold water hand wash

Cold water is the single most important element of caring for hand block-printed fabric. Preserves dye: Heat opens cotton fibres and can release dye molecules. Cold water keeps fibres stable, holding dye in place. Protects fibre: Cold water allows cotton to absorb moisture gradually, maintaining thread integrity. Prevents shrinkage: Natural cotton can shrink in hot water, particularly in the first few washes. To hand wash: fill a basin with cold water. Add a small amount of natural detergent ~ plant-based, phosphate-free formulas. Submerge the garment and gently agitate for a few minutes. Do not wring, twist, or scrub. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear. Gently press out excess water and hang to dry.

02

Natural detergents

Conventional laundry detergents often contain optical brighteners, bleaching agents, and harsh surfactants that can strip colour from hand-printed fabrics. Natural detergents ~ plant-based formulas free from optical brighteners, chlorine, and phosphates ~ clean effectively without attacking the dye or fibre. Wool wash formulas are often excellent for cotton too. A small amount goes a long way ~ overusing detergent leaves residue that dulls colours and stiffens cloth.

03

Hang dry in the shade

UV protection: Ultraviolet light fades all dyes over time. Shade drying allows natural drying while protecting colour. A piece shade-dried consistently will retain its vibrancy years longer than one dried in direct sun. Gentle drying: Direct sunlight heats fabric, causing uneven drying and potentially weakening fibres. Hang on a padded hanger or dry flat on a clean towel. Avoid wire hangers, which can leave marks on wet fabric.

04

Your first wash

Slight colour bleed during the first wash is normal for hand block-printed textiles, particularly with deeper colourways ~ indigo, black, burgundy. Wash alone or with like colours for the first two or three washes. Do not soak ~ ten to fifteen minutes of gentle agitation is sufficient. After the first few washes, any residual dye will have been fully released and the colour will stabilise.

Close-up of fabric being treated during the dye process

STAINS, STORAGE AND steaming

Act quickly. Blot (do not rub) with a clean, damp cloth. Cold water first ~ hot water can set many stains permanently. For oil-based stains, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda, let sit thirty minutes, brush off gently. For food or drink stains, dilute white vinegar in cold water, apply, let sit, rinse. Avoid bleach entirely ~ chlorine bleach will destroy both dye and fibre. Always test any treatment on an inconspicuous area first.

Use breathable cotton or muslin garment bags for extended storage ~ plastic traps moisture and prevents air circulation. Cedar blocks or rings provide natural moth deterrence without chemical residue. Lighter garments can hang on padded hangers; heavier items are better folded. Refold stored garments periodically to prevent permanent crease lines. Store away from windows and direct sunlight.

Steaming is preferred. A handheld garment steamer relaxes fibres without direct heat and pressure. If you do iron, use low to medium heat and always iron on the reverse side with a pressing cloth. Never iron directly over a printed area on the face of the fabric. Iron while slightly damp for best results ~ mist lightly with water if the garment has dried fully.

Arched workshop interior with long sewing tables where garments are stitched by hand
Indigo-dyed fabric being rinsed in cold water during the finishing process
Smiling woman artisan at her block-printing workstation

“A study by the International Fabricare Institute found that garments cared for with gentle hand washing and air drying lasted five to ten times longer than identical garments subjected to regular machine washing and tumble drying.”

The Longevity Difference

For handmade garments ~ where the craftsmanship, materials, and dyes are inherently more delicate than industrial equivalents ~ the difference is even more pronounced. Gentle care is not just about preservation. It is about getting the most from the time, skill, and resources that went into making your garment.

COMMON CARE questions

Can I machine wash my DOI garment? We strongly recommend hand washing for the best results and longest garment life. If you must use a machine, place the garment in a mesh laundry bag, select the most delicate cycle, use cold water and a gentle natural detergent, and never use a spin cycle above the lowest setting. However, hand washing will always be gentler and produce better results for hand block-printed fabrics.

Can I tumble dry? We do not recommend tumble drying. The combination of heat and mechanical agitation in a dryer can fade dyes, shrink natural cotton, and stress handmade stitching. Hang drying in the shade is always the better choice ~ and it uses no energy at all.

Why did my garment bleed colour? Slight colour release during the first one or two washes is normal for hand block-printed textiles. Despite the thorough washing every DOI garment receives during quality control, a small amount of residual surface dye can remain ~ particularly in deeper colourways like indigo, black, or burgundy. This is a characteristic of the craft, not a defect. The colour will stabilise after two or three washes.

The colour looks different from the website? Yes, this is normal. Every garment is hand block-printed, which means natural variations in colour depth, tone, and placement occur between individual pieces. Screen colours also vary between devices. These variations are a hallmark of handmade cloth ~ evidence that your garment was made by a person, not a machine.

How do I remove wrinkles from cotton voile? Cotton voile wrinkles easily but responds beautifully to steaming. A handheld garment steamer is ideal. If ironing, use the lowest heat setting and iron on the reverse side with a pressing cloth. Misting with water before steaming or ironing makes the process easier.

Will the colour fade over time? All dyes will experience some gradual colour evolution over many washes and wearings. This is a natural ageing process, and many people find that their garments develop a softer, more characterful quality over time. Gentle care ~ cold water, shade drying, natural detergents ~ significantly slows this process and preserves vibrancy for years.

How often should I wash my garment? Less than you might think. Cotton benefits from airing between wears rather than frequent washing. If the garment is not visibly soiled or does not carry odour, hanging it in a well-ventilated space overnight is often sufficient. Washing only when necessary extends the life of both fabric and dye.

Can I dry clean? What about salt or vinegar? Gentle hand washing produces the best results. If you choose dry cleaning, inform the cleaner that the garment is hand block-printed with AZO-free dyes. A tablespoon of white vinegar in the rinse water can help set colours and remove detergent residue. Salt is sometimes recommended but its effectiveness on already-set dyes is limited. Neither will cause harm.

Overview of the garment production workshop with artisans at their stations
Elderly artisan seated at a table surrounded by carved wooden printing blocks
Freshly dyed fabric laid out to dry in the shade at the workshop

CARE AS connection

There is something worth noticing about the act of caring for a handmade garment. When you fill a basin with cold water, add a gentle detergent, and wash your Daughters of India dress by hand, you are echoing ~ in a small, domestic way ~ the same care taken by the artisans who made it. In the workshop, every garment is hand-washed and sun-dried as part of the quality control process. Your home care continues a cycle of attentiveness that began in Sanganer.

Large group of women artisans in colourful saris gathered at the Daughters of India production facility

This is one of the subtle gifts of handmade clothing. It asks you to pay attention. Not a great deal of attention ~ a few minutes of gentle washing, a moment of choosing shade over sun ~ but enough to create a relationship with the garment that goes beyond wearing and discarding. A garment cared for by hand becomes personal in a way that a garment tossed in a machine does not.

Slow fashion is not just about how clothing is made. It is about how it is worn, cared for, and kept. Gentle care is the final link in the chain that connects artisan to wearer, making the whole journey ~ from cotton field to wardrobe ~ one of intention and respect.

Explore Further

CARING FOR craft

Women artisans laughing together at the workshop archway

From India to You

The full journey of a DOI garment, from workshop to wardrobe.
Blue dye paste being poured into a mixing tray for textile dyeing

Why Colour Varies

Understanding the natural variations in hand block-printed cloth.
Artisan hands mixing vibrant orange and white AZO-free dyes in traditional bowls at the Daughters of India workshop

AZO-Free Dyes

Why we choose eco-friendly dyes and how they behave.
Ethical Fashion

Ethical Fashion

What it really means to wear clothes made with conscience.
Explore All Craft Pages
Shipping & Returns

All prices include UK duties and taxes — you won't pay anything extra on delivery. Our slow fashion garments are handcrafted in India and shipped directly to you.

We are a small team however we endeavour to process your order within 1-3 business days. Orders are shipped via DHL Express. You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Delivery Cost
Standard · 5–8 business days £15
Express · 3–5 business days £22
Orders over £450 Free


Your order price includes all UK import duties and VAT — we handle customs clearance through DHL so there are no surprise fees at your door. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.

You can find our full shipping policy here.

We want you to love your Daughters of India piece. If it's not quite right, we're happy to help — simply return within 30 days and we'll issue a Daughters of India Gift Card for the full value. Your credit never expires and can be used on any piece, including new collections.

  • Items must be returned in original condition — unworn, unwashed with tags attached, folded neatly in the Daughters of India tote bag provided.
  • To arrange your return, contact us at hello@daughtersofindia.com. We recommend using a trackable shipping service.
  • Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving the return.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or store credit.

You can find our full returns policy here.

Shipping & Returns

All prices include UK duties and taxes — you won't pay anything extra on delivery. Our slow fashion garments are handcrafted in India and shipped directly to you.

We are a small team however we endeavour to process your order within 1-3 business days. Orders are shipped via DHL Express. You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Delivery Cost
Standard · 5–8 business days £15
Express · 3–5 business days £22
Orders over £450 Free


Your order price includes all UK import duties and VAT — we handle customs clearance through DHL so there are no surprise fees at your door. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.

You can find our full shipping policy here.

We want you to love your Daughters of India piece. If it's not quite right, we're happy to help — simply return within 30 days and we'll issue a Daughters of India Gift Card for the full value. Your credit never expires and can be used on any piece, including new collections.

  • Items must be returned in original condition — unworn, unwashed with tags attached, folded neatly in the Daughters of India tote bag provided.
  • To arrange your return, contact us at hello@daughtersofindia.com. We recommend using a trackable shipping service.
  • Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving the return.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or store credit.

You can find our full returns policy here.

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