Care guide · For buyers and resellers
How to Wash and Care for Hand Block Printed Cotton Suits
Hand block prints are dyed by hand, so they need a little more care than machine prints. Follow these steps and your Sanganeri, Bagru or Dabu suit keeps its colour for years. Resellers can copy the care card at the end and share it with every order.
- First wash separately in cold water
- Mild detergent, no bleach, no long soaking
- Dry inside out in shade, not direct sun
- Iron on the reverse side, medium heat
Quick answer: Wash a hand block printed cotton suit separately in cold water with a mild liquid detergent for the first two or three washes. Do not soak it for long, do not use bleach, and do not wring it hard. Dry it inside out in the shade and iron on the reverse side. A little colour in the first wash is normal for hand-dyed fabric, especially indigo and dark reds.
How to Wash a Hand Block Printed Suit, Step by Step
- Wash separatelyKeep the kurta, bottom and dupatta away from white and light clothes for the first few washes.
- Cold water, mild detergentUse cold or room-temperature water and a mild liquid detergent. Avoid bleach and strong powders.
- Short and gentleWash quickly by hand or on a gentle cycle. Do not leave the fabric soaking, and do not twist or wring it hard.
- Dry in shade, iron reverseHang inside out in the shade. Iron on the reverse side at medium heat while slightly damp.
Does Hand Block Print Colour Fade or Bleed?
Some loose dye in the first wash is normal for hand block prints. The colours are applied by hand and fixed by washing, and a little extra dye can still come out at home, especially in indigo, Dabu and deep red Bagru prints. This is not a defect, and it usually stops after the first two or three washes.
What causes real fading is heat and light: hot water, harsh detergent, long soaking and strong sun. Avoid those and the print stays bright for a long time.
Want to know why each print behaves differently? See our guide to Sanganeri, Bagru and Dabu hand block prints.
Care by print type
| Watch for | Extra care | |
|---|---|---|
| Sanganeri | Light grounds can pick up colour from other clothes | Always wash with similar light colours |
| Bagru | Deep reds and blacks may release dye early | Wash alone for the first 2–3 washes |
| Dabu / indigo | Indigo rubs off and bleeds more than other dyes | Wash alone, cold water, dry in shade |
Care for Mulmul, Kota Doria and Chanderi Dupattas
| Fabric | Wash | Dry | Iron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulmul (cotton) | Gentle hand wash, cold water | Shade, do not wring | Low to medium, slightly damp |
| Kota Doria | Gentle hand wash or dry clean; light starch keeps it crisp | Shade, flat or on a line | Medium, on the reverse |
| Chanderi (silk-cotton) | Dry clean recommended, or very gentle cold hand wash | Shade only | Low heat, use a cloth between iron and fabric |
| Chiffon | Gentle hand wash, cold water | Shade | Low heat |
| Gota patti / hand work | Dry clean, or spot clean around the work | Shade | Reverse side only; never iron directly on gota |
General guidance for hand block printed and handwoven fabrics. Follow any care label that comes with a specific piece.
Before Stitching an Unstitched Suit
Cotton can shrink a little after the first wash. Many tailors soak or wash the fabric once before cutting so the finished suit keeps its fit. If your customer prefers not to pre-wash, ask the tailor to leave a little extra margin in the seams.
Wash the dupatta separately from the kurta and bottom, especially when the colours contrast. This protects light dupattas from darker prints.
Mistakes that ruin block prints
- Hot water or a hot machine cycle
- Bleach or strong stain removers on the print
- Soaking overnight
- Drying in strong afternoon sun
- Ironing directly on gota or zari
Care Card for Resellers (Copy and Share)
Paste this into your product description or send it with every order. Clear care instructions cut down complaints about colour bleed.
Care for your hand block printed suit This suit is hand block printed in Jaipur. A little colour in the first wash is normal for hand-dyed fabric. 1. Wash separately in cold water for the first 2–3 washes. 2. Use a mild liquid detergent. No bleach. 3. Do not soak or wring hard. 4. Dry inside out in the shade. 5. Iron on the reverse side at medium heat. Dry clean Chanderi and hand work pieces.
Selling our suits? See the wholesale suits for resellers guide.
Shop Hand Block Print Suits Wholesale
Hand Block Print Care: Common Questions
How do I wash a hand block printed cotton suit?
Wash it separately in cold water with a mild liquid detergent, quickly and gently. Do not soak or wring it, dry it inside out in the shade and iron on the reverse side.
Is colour bleeding normal in hand block print?
A little colour in the first two or three washes is normal for hand-dyed fabric, especially indigo, Dabu and deep red prints. Wash separately until it stops.
Can I machine wash block printed suits?
Hand washing is safest. If you use a machine, choose a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water and wash the suit alone or with similar colours.
Does hand block print fade in the sun?
Strong sun fades most natural and hand-applied dyes over time. Always dry block prints in the shade and inside out.
Should I wash suit fabric before stitching?
Many tailors wash cotton once before cutting because it can shrink slightly. If you skip it, ask the tailor to leave a little extra seam margin.
How do I care for Kota Doria and Chanderi?
Hand wash Kota Doria gently or dry clean it, and use light starch to keep it crisp. Dry clean Chanderi, or hand wash very gently in cold water.
How do I wash gota patti hand work suits?
Dry cleaning is best. Do not scrub the work, and never iron directly on gota or zari; iron from the reverse side.
हैंड ब्लॉक प्रिंट सूट कैसे धोएँ
पहली 2–3 बार सूट को अलग से ठंडे पानी में हल्के डिटर्जेंट से धोएँ। ज़्यादा देर भिगोकर न रखें, ब्लीच न लगाएँ, ज़ोर से न निचोड़ें। छाँव में उल्टा करके सुखाएँ और उल्टी तरफ से प्रेस करें।
क्या ब्लॉक प्रिंट सूट का रंग निकलता है?
पहली कुछ धुलाई में थोड़ा रंग निकलना हाथ की छपाई में आम बात है, खासकर इंडिगो और दाबू में। अलग से धोएँ, धीरे-धीरे यह बंद हो जाता है।
Block print suit ka rang kaise bachayein?
Thande paani mein alag se dhoyein, mild detergent use karein, chhaon mein ulta karke sukhayein. Garam paani aur tez dhoop se bachayein.
Gota patti wala suit kaise dhoyein?
Dry clean karwana sabse achha hai. Gota pe seedha press na karein, hamesha ulti taraf se press karein.
Visit Our Sanganer Unit
House of Sonesh
Hand block print suit material and sarees, wholesale
Plot No 11, Dev Vihar Yojna, Khadi Gramodhyog Road, Inside Jaipur Gate, Sanganer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302029
Call / WhatsApp: +91 99838 91325
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
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