Caring for Your Puja Saree: Storing, Washing, Preserving Silk or Handloom Sarees

Durga Puja is not just a festival—it’s an emotion for Bengalis across the world. Every year, as the beats of the dhak begin and the fragrance of shiuli fills the air, women bring out their best sarees to celebrate this cultural extravaganza. Whether it is a crisp white-and-red Durga Puja Saree, a handwoven Jamdani, a regal Baluchari, or a pure silk drape, each saree carries heritage, artistry, and sentiment.

At Kunbi, we believe sarees are more than fabric—they are heirlooms. Many women lovingly preserve their festive sarees for years, passing them down to the next generation. But to make sure these treasured pieces last, proper care is essential. Washing, storing, and preserving sarees—especially delicate silks and handlooms—require thoughtful attention.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about maintaining your Puja saree collection—from cleaning tips to storage hacks—so that every drape looks as perfect as the first time you wore it.

Why Saree Care Matters During and After Puja

1. Frequent Use: During Durga Puja, sarees are worn daily for pandal hopping, rituals, and cultural evenings. Sweating, dust, and spills are inevitable.

2. Fabric Sensitivity: Silk and handloom sarees are prone to fading, tearing, or losing their luster if not maintained properly.

3. Emotional Value: Sarees worn on auspicious days like Ashtami or Sindoor Khela often hold immense sentimental value.

4. Long-Term Preservation: With the right care, sarees can last generations, becoming part of family heritage.

Washing Tips for Your Puja Saree

1. Silk Sarees

• First Wash Rule: Never wash a pure silk saree at home for the first time. Always opt for dry cleaning.

• Spot Cleaning: If you spill food or sindoor, blot with cold water immediately—don’t rub.

• Home Wash (Occasional): For lightweight silks, you may use cold water with a mild, silk-safe detergent. Do not soak for long.

• Avoid Sunlight: Dry indoors, in shade, to prevent fading.

2. Cotton Handloom Sarees (Tant, Jamdani, Dhaniakhali)

• Pre-Soak: Dip in cold water with rock salt before first use. This locks the color and prevents bleeding.

• Gentle Wash: Hand wash in lukewarm water with mild soap. Avoid machine washing.

• Starch Application: To retain the crisp texture of cotton sarees, apply light starch while drying.

3. Kantha and Embroidered Sarees

• No Soaking: Embroidered sarees should never be soaked.

• Gentle Hand Wash: Lightly wash the body part of the saree while avoiding embroidery areas.

• Dry Flat: Spread on a clean towel to prevent stretching.

4. Baluchari and Murshidabad Silks

• Dry Clean Only: These sarees have intricate zari and woven designs. Regular washing can damage the motifs.

• Steam Refresh: If not stained, simply steaming can refresh the saree after Puja.

Storing Your Sarees After Puja

1. Folding Techniques

• Refold your sarees every 3 months to avoid permanent creases.

• For silk sarees, fold along different lines each time to prevent tearing at the folds.

2. Storage Materials

• Cotton/ Muslin Cloth: Always wrap sarees in a cotton or muslin cloth before placing them in cupboards. Avoid plastic covers—they trap moisture.

• Acid-Free Paper: For extra protection, especially for zari borders.

• Silica Gel Sachets: Place in cupboards to prevent humidity damage.

3. Avoiding Pests & Fungus

• Keep neem leaves or cloves inside the saree folds to protect from silverfish and moths.

• Air out your sarees every 2–3 months in mild sunlight (not harsh noon sun).

4. Separate Storage

• Store red and white sarees separately, as sindoor stains are common after Puja.

• Heavy sarees (Banarasi, Baluchari) should be stacked flat, while light cottons can be hung on padded hangers.

Preserving Special Durga Puja Sarees

1. White & Red Sarees for Sindoor Khela

• These sarees often get sindoor stains. To remove, apply lemon juice immediately on the stain and wash gently in cold water.

2. Antique Family Sarees

• If you have inherited a grandmother’s saree, get it professionally restored and rewoven if necessary. Kunbi offers consultations to identify authentic weaves and guide on preservation.

3. Zari Work Sarees

• Keep zari-rich sarees rolled instead of folded to avoid tarnishing at creases. Store with butter paper separating zari portions.

Long-Term Preservation Tips

• Rotation: Do not leave a saree untouched for years. Wear it occasionally to keep the fibers flexible.

• No Naphthalene Balls Directly: If you must use them, wrap them separately. Direct contact damages fabric.

• Professional Maintenance: For valuable pieces, occasional professional care ensures longevity.

Buying Sarees You’ll Want to Preserve

The effort of preservation pays off only if the saree itself is worth keeping for years. That’s why choosing authentic, branded, and high-quality sarees is essential.

At Kunbi, we curate a collection of handloom, silk, and designer sarees that reflect Bengal’s rich weaving traditions while catering to modern tastes. Whether you want a Durga Puja Saree, are looking to buy branded sarees online in Kolkata, or prefer exploring designer sarees online Kolkata, our store brings you heritage with trust.

Quick Saree Care Checklist

• ✅ Always dry clean pure silk or zari sarees.

• ✅ Store in cotton cloth, not plastic.

• ✅ Refold every 3 months.

• ✅ Keep away from harsh sunlight.

• ✅ Use natural repellents like neem or cloves.

• ✅ Treat stains immediately.

• ✅ Wear your sarees occasionally to keep them fresh.

FAQs on Saree Care

Q1. Can I wash my Durga Puja Saree at home?
It depends on the fabric. Cotton sarees (like Tant or Jamdani) can be washed gently at home. However, silk, Baluchari, or zari sarees should always be dry cleaned.

Q2. How do I remove sindoor stains from a white saree?
Apply fresh lemon juice on the stain, leave for 5 minutes, and rinse with cold water. Do not rub harshly. For stubborn stains, seek professional cleaning.

Q3. What is the best way to store silk sarees after Puja?
Wrap in muslin cloth, fold along different lines each time, and store in a cool, dry cupboard. Avoid plastic covers and direct sunlight.

Q4. My saree smells musty after storage. What should I do?
Air it out in mild morning sunlight for 1–2 hours. You can also place neem leaves or cloves in the folds to absorb odors.

Q5. How long can a handloom saree last if cared for properly?
A well-maintained saree can last for decades—sometimes even 50+ years—making it an heirloom piece.

Q6. Where can I buy authentic branded sarees in Kolkata?
Kunbi offers a premium collection where you can buy branded sarees online in Kolkata, including exclusive festive collections perfect for Durga Puja.

Q7. Are starch and ironing safe for sarees?
Yes, for cotton sarees starch helps retain crispness. For silks, avoid direct ironing—always place a cotton cloth on top while pressing.

Final Thoughts

Your Puja sarees are more than outfits—they are memories wrapped in nine yards. Whether it’s the white-red Durga Puja Saree you wear for Ashtami Anjali, a designer silk for Nabami evening, or a family heirloom passed down generations, every saree deserves to be cherished.

With the right washing, storing, and preservation techniques, your sarees can remain as radiant as your festive memories. At Kunbi, we not only provide you with authentic weaves but also encourage you to care for them like treasures—because a saree is not just worn, it is lived in.

So, this Puja, celebrate in style, and let your sarees continue to tell stories for years to come.