Wash gently
Use mild detergent and avoid aggressive rubbing, twisting or long soaking unless the product instructions allow it.
Kaveri Libas Care Guide
Love your clothes.
Care for them better.
Simple wash, dry, iron and storage guidance for the fabrics and garments you shop at Kaveri Libas.
A practical guide for everyday care of fabrics and garments sold by Kaveri Libas.
Start here
4 habits that protect most clothes
Dry thoughtfully
Dry in a well-ventilated area. Strong direct sunlight can affect some colours, prints and fibres over time.
Use the right heat
Start with a lower iron temperature and increase only when suitable for the fibre, finish and embellishment.
Store fully dry
Never pack damp garments. Clean, dry and breathable storage helps reduce odour, mildew and fabric damage.
Quick Care Finder
What are you caring for?
Tap a fabric or garment to jump straight to its care guide.
Before the first wash
A two-minute check can save your favourite piece
- Read the care label or instructions supplied with the product.
- Separate whites, light shades and dark colours.
- Check whether the garment has embroidery, trims, zari, lace, lining or delicate prints.
- When in doubt about colourfastness, test a hidden area with a damp white cloth.
- Treat visible stains before a full wash, without harsh scrubbing.
Fabric-by-fabric
Care guidance for Kaveri Libas fabrics
Simple, practical guidance for washing, drying, ironing and storing the fabrics we commonly sell.
Everyday favourite
Cotton suits & cotton kurtis
Breathable and easy to wear, cotton benefits from gentle washing and careful drying to help retain colour and shape.
Wash
Wash gently in cool or normal-temperature water with a mild detergent. Keep dark and light colours separate, and avoid long soaking or harsh rubbing.
Dry
Reshape gently and dry in shade or diffused light when possible. Avoid wringing the garment hard.
Iron
Iron on the reverse side when practical. Printed, dark or embellished areas may benefit from a protective cloth between fabric and iron.
Store
Fold or hang only when fully dry. Allow airflow in wardrobes, especially during humid weather.
Natural fibre care
Pure cotton & 60×60 cotton
Natural cotton can relax or shrink depending on weave, finish and construction, especially around the first few washes.
Wash
For most washable pure-cotton fabrics, use cool or normal-temperature water and a mild detergent. Avoid very hot water, long soaking and strong twisting, especially during the first few washes.
Dry
Do not stretch wet fabric aggressively. Lay flat or hang evenly according to garment construction.
Iron
Cotton generally tolerates more heat than delicate fibres, but begin lower around prints, trims, embroidery and dark dyes.
Store
Keep folded fabric clean and dry. Avoid long-term pressure from heavy stacks if the item has textured work.
Light & comfortable
South cotton
Because “South cotton” can include different weaves and finishes, treat the individual product instructions as the final authority.
Wash
Use a gentle wash with cool or normal-temperature water and mild detergent. Wash deep, contrasting or new colours separately during the first few washes.
Dry
Dry away from harsh midday sun when possible to help preserve colour.
Iron
Iron from the reverse side, especially around woven motifs, borders or prints.
Store
Store in a clean, dry wardrobe and avoid packing before all moisture has evaporated.
Before the tailor
Unstitched suit fabric
Unstitched fabric needs a little extra attention because the first wash can affect how the fabric settles before cutting and stitching.
Before stitching
For washable cotton and similar unstitched fabrics, a plain-water pre-wash before stitching is a useful practice. Cotton can shrink slightly on the first wash, so this helps you see how the fabric settles before the tailor cuts it.
Plain-water pre-wash
Soak or rinse gently in plain water without aggressive rubbing, wringing or long soaking, then let the fabric dry completely before giving it to your tailor.
Pieces may differ
Suit fabric, salwar fabric and dupatta may use different fibres or finishes. Care for each piece according to its own instructions.
After drying
Let the fabric dry fully and settle naturally before measuring or cutting. Some cotton fabrics may appear slightly contracted after washing and relax again after ironing, so judge the final size only after the fabric is completely dry and lightly ironed if suitable.
Kaveri Libas tip: for washable cotton-type suit fabrics, doing the first plain-water wash before stitching can help reduce surprises in final fitting. Delicate silk, heavily embellished or special-finish fabrics may need different care.
Explore unstitched suits
Delicate occasion wear
Silk & Maheshwari silk
Silk and silk blends can react differently to water, heat and cleaning chemicals. Never assume one silk-care method works for every piece.
Clean
Silk and Maheshwari silk are best handled gently. Avoid routine machine washing, harsh detergent, long soaking and twisting. For heavier silk, zari or embellished pieces, professional dry cleaning is often the safer option.
Dry
If the specific product permits washing, avoid twisting and strong sun. Support the fabric while wet.
Iron
Use low heat and iron from the reverse side with a protective cloth. Avoid direct heat on zari, embellishment or delicate texture.
Store
Store clean and completely dry. Fold delicate pieces with soft tissue or cotton cloth if needed and refold periodically.
More detail, more care
Fancy, festive & embellished wear
Embroidery, sequins, lace, stones, zari and decorative trims can require more delicate handling than the base fabric itself.
Clean
Use the gentlest possible cleaning method. Avoid scrubbing, twisting or long soaking around embroidery, sequins, stones, zari, lace and decorative trims.
Dry
Support heavier wet garments so embellishment does not pull or distort the base fabric.
Iron
Never place a hot iron directly on sequins, stones, zari or heat-sensitive decoration. Use reverse-side pressing where suitable.
Store
Fold carefully so hooks, stones and trims do not snag nearby fabric. Avoid heavy stacking on structured embroidery.
Often a different fabric
Dupattas & chunnis
A dupatta may use a lighter or more delicate weave than the matching suit, so it should not automatically follow the same wash method.
Wash
Wash dupattas gently and separately when their colour, weave, border or embellishment differs from the suit. Lightweight fabrics need less rubbing and less soaking than heavier cotton pieces.
Dry
Avoid rough wringing. Support lightweight or embellished dupattas evenly while drying.
Iron
Use lower heat on delicate synthetic, silk-like, net or embellished materials.
Store
Fold loosely and keep decorative borders from rubbing against fragile sections.
Seasonal storage matters
Winter suits, shawls & stoles
Warm fabrics benefit from gentle cleaning and completely dry storage before they are packed away for the season.
Clean
Use gentle cleaning suited to the fibre. Wool-rich, blended and decorative winter pieces should not be scrubbed, twisted or exposed to hot water; delicate shawls may be better professionally cleaned.
Dry
Avoid storing until absolutely dry. Some knits and wool-rich fabrics are better supported flat while drying.
Iron
Use lower heat and a pressing cloth for wool-rich or textured fabrics unless the label states otherwise.
Store
Clean before seasonal storage, keep in a dry breathable space and avoid compressing delicate shawls for long periods.
Care SOS
Common problems, calmer fixes
Colour bleeding
Stop the wash, separate the item, rinse according to its instructions and avoid experimenting with harsh home remedies on delicate fabrics.
Fresh stain
Blot rather than rub. Work from the outside of the stain inward and test any treatment on a hidden area first.
Wrinkles
Use the lowest effective heat, iron inside-out where possible and place a clean pressing cloth over sensitive areas.
Long-term storage
Store only clean, dry clothes. Refold delicate pieces periodically so the same crease does not remain under pressure for months.
The finishing routine
Dry. Iron. Store.
Good care does not end when the wash cycle does.
Dry without stress
Avoid forceful wringing and uneven hanging that can pull fabric out of shape. Strong sun can affect some dyes and fibres.
Iron from low to high
Start cooler and raise heat only if needed. Protect prints, dark shades and embellishment with reverse-side ironing or a pressing cloth.
Store clean & dry
Moisture is the enemy. Keep wardrobes dry, avoid overcrowding delicate pieces and check seasonal clothing before long storage.
Questions customers ask
Fabric care FAQs
Should I wash unstitched cotton suit fabric before stitching?
For many washable cotton and cotton-like unstitched fabrics, a gentle plain-water pre-wash before stitching is useful because the first wash can cause some initial shrinkage or settling. Dry the fabric completely before measuring or cutting. Some cotton fabrics may relax again after drying and ironing.
How can I help prevent dark colours from fading?
Wash dark colours separately, use a mild detergent, avoid unnecessary soaking, turn garments inside out where practical, and dry away from harsh direct sunlight. Always follow the product-specific care instructions.
Can silk and Maheshwari silk be machine washed?
Do not assume so. Silk and silk-blend products can differ significantly in weave, dye, finish and embellishment. Follow the care label or product care instructions; professional dry cleaning may be recommended for some pieces.
Can the dupatta be washed with the suit?
Only when their care requirements are compatible. Dupattas frequently use a different fibre, dye, border or finish, so check their care instructions separately.
How should I store ethnic wear for a long time?
Store garments only when completely clean and dry, in a cool dry place. Fold delicate or embellished pieces carefully, avoid damp areas, and refold long-stored pieces periodically to reduce permanent fold lines.
How should I dry cotton suits in Sikar’s summer heat?
Follow the garment’s care instructions and dry washable cotton in a shaded, well-ventilated place. Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh direct sunlight, especially for dark or printed fabrics.
How should I care for embroidered ethnic wear after a wedding or festival?
Check the care label before washing. Avoid scrubbing, wringing or applying a hot iron directly to embroidery and embellishments. Pieces with delicate work may need professional cleaning.
Can I ask Kaveri Libas about caring for a fabric before buying or stitching it?
Yes. Contact us on WhatsApp or visit our Sikar store, and share the product photo or style code. Ask about the specific fabric before washing, cutting or stitching; its supplied care instructions take priority over this general guide.
Shop with confidence
Know the fabric. Know the care.
Explore Kaveri Libas collections and keep this guide handy whenever your wardrobe needs a little extra care.
Important care note
This Kaveri Libas Care Guide is prepared as general care guidance for the types of fabrics and garments sold by Kaveri Libas. Fibres, blends, dyes, prints, embroidery, finishing, lining and construction can vary from one product to another.
Always follow the care label or care instructions supplied with your specific product. If those instructions differ from this page, the product-specific instructions should be followed. When you are unsure about a delicate, embellished or colour-sensitive item, consider a small hidden-area test or professional fabric care before proceeding.