The Chikankari technique of embroidery is more than just stitching; it is a time-honored tradition of creating beautiful artwork on fabric. Each individual design of a Chikankari outfit is painstakingly and thoughtfully created over an extended period of time. At Snapfab, the fabrics used in creating Chikankari kurtis and kurta sets (and Chikankari fabrics in general) are made from high-quality materials such as mulmul cotton, muslin, modal fabric, organza, viscose and chanderi. Not only do these materials add style to the final product, but they are also fragile and will require special care when handling them.

As with all garments, if you want your Chikankari outfit to last through many years of wear and use, you will need to take good care of it. With good care, you will be able to retain the softness, color, thread strength, and embroidery detail of your garment as long as you continue to care for it properly. However, without the correct care, even a brand new Chikankari outfit will wear out quickly, and fade out after many washes. This guide will give you the information you need to protect your collection of Chikankari outfits and to maintain each individual piece of your collection looking as good as it did the day you bought it!

Why is it Important to Take Care of Chikanari?

Chikankari is handcrafted and created on a needle, and therefore is different from machine embroidery. Each stitch is created with hand movements that include bakhiya, phanda, ulthi bakhiya and murri. Due to the uniqueness of the stitches, Chikankari is very beautiful but also extremely fragile.

The importance of taking care of Chikankari includes:

• If Chikankari is rubbed too harshly, the threads could become loose or broken.
• A premium-quality fabric like cotton, muslin and georgette will shrink or stretch.
• If left in direct sunlight or exposed to strong detergent, bright dyes will fade.
• If incorrectly stored, heavy embroidery and embellishments can tangle one another.
• To properly take care of Chikankari is similar to taking care of a handmade item; it requires gentleness, slowness and mindfulness.
• 3. How To Gently and Safely Wash Chikankari Garments

The best way of cleansing all fabrics is hand-washing. This method allows you to maintain the integrity of the threads and protects the weave of the fabric.

Follow these steps when hand-washing Chikankari garments using the gentlest method available to you.

• Use a clean bucket filled with either cold or room-temperature water.
• Add some form of mild liquid soap (such as baby shampoo or other gentle detergent for delicate fabrics).
• Turn the garment inside out in order to protect the embroidered designs.
• Soak the garment for about 2 to 3 minutes while gently moving it back and forth through the water.
• Rinse out the detergent with fresh cold water until it is completely removed.
• Gently squeeze out excess water with your hands using only your palms, never twist or ring out.

This will help you keep the embroidered areas soft, neat and with no fraying.

Additional Guidelines For Washing:
Do:

1. Separate delicate fabrics.
2. Use soft water if possible.
3. Take care when rinsing out embroidered sections.

Don't:

1. Scrub any part of the embroidered design.
2. Soak for a longer period than five to seven minutes.
3. Wash in a washing machine unless on the delicate cycle (with no spin).

A single rough wash can ruin the delicate stitching done by hand and threaten the overall quality of the garment. Always choose to treat your items with care.

4. How to Properly Dry your Chikankari Clothing

Improperly drying an outfit can lead to shrinkage, fading of colour, and misshaping.

How to properly dry your outfit:

Use a towel made from cotton that has not been treated with chemicals. Place your outfit on the towel to absorb moisture. When you have placed the outfit on the towel, lay it on the ground in a shade until it has dried half way; then flip it over once only to finish the drying process.

• Further suggestions for protecting your outfit while it's drying include the following:
• Do not dry in direct sunlight, as it causes fading of colours and weakness of threads.
• Do not hang heavy outfits as they stretch the fabric due to gravity.
• When drying sheer or translucent fabric such as organza, it is best to dry it flat.
• The embroidered areas of your outfit should be turned to the inside of the outfit to keep their shine and finish.
• Good drying practices will help keep your outfit looking like new after many washings.

5. How to Iron Chikankari Embroidery Without Crushing the Threads 

When ironing Chikankari, you have to be careful due to the possibility of burning the embroidery threads with the heat of an iron. 

Here Are the Best Way to Iron Chikankari: 

Iron from the back side only! 

Use a low to medium heat setting. 

If you're going to be ironing the front side of the fabric, place a piece of muslin between the iron and the fabric first. 

Steam iron Modal, Georgette, Viscose, and Muslin to have some ‘flow’ or drape to the garment. 

Why Is This Important? 

When you use proper ironing techniques, your embroidery will look “raised" and clean. Thus increasing its beauty.

6. How to Properly Store Your Chikankari Collection

Properly storing your clothes and accessories will help ensure they maintain their shape, colour and the neatness of their embroidery.

Ways to store for long periods of time:

• Cotton and muslin outfits should be folded instead of hung.
  - Use cotton or muslin storage bags instead of plastic covers for protecting the items being stored.
  - Keep naphthalene balls away from these fabrics, as they will cause staining.

7. Techniques for Cleaning Chikankari Fabrics From Stains Without Damaging The Fabric

The best way to treat stains caused by dirt or sweat is with a gentle touch.

• Light Stains

To clean light stains, mix cold water and a very small amount of baby shampoo together. Once combined, you should dab at the stain and not rub the Chikankari Embroidery.

• Oil or Makeup Stains

For oily stains or makeup, dilute the liquid detergent and only use a few drops of diluted detergent directly onto the stain (never rub it into the fabric). After applying a little liquid detergent, you need to rinse this directly off after applying the detergent.

If you have any stubborn stains, the safest thing to do is have them professionally dry cleaned.

8. Ways to Maintain the Brightness of White Chikankari Longer

Chikankari offers timeless elegance in white. However, over time, white fabrics can collect dust, sweat, yellowing, etc.

To maintain your white fabrics bright and long-lasting:

• Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to wash water; add a small amount of mild fabric whitener to wash water so white fabrics remain bright. Dry white Chikankari completely in shade to avoid yellowing.
• Store white Chikankari fabrics in pure white cotton cloth; avoid placing colored fabrics next to white Chikankari fabrics in your closet.
• With regular gentle care, white fabrics can easily stay looking new for many years.

9. Heavy Chikankari With Heavy Mukaish, Sequins, And Pearl Work Hierarchical Care 

Extra care should be taken on heavier items. The following are main points to keep in mind when it comes to caring for heavier chikan work pieces with extensive embellishments.

Dry cleaning is preferred to maintain the quality of the embellishments. To prevent any potential damage to the handcrafted embroidery work, do not fold the edges of your item across the embroideries; layers of tissue paper should be placed between the folds.

Keep items away from any perfumes and deodorants that may cause discoloration/dullness when sprayed or applied near these items.

Each of these precautions preserves the shine, spacing, and general appearance of the piece's handcrafted embellishments.

10. Routine Habits To Extend The Life Of Your Chikankari Garments 

Daily incidences of nagging or careless mistakes create bigger issues than anything else. Creating a few small but conscious habits can help you sustain your outfit for longer periods of time. 

To maintain your outfits, create a daily habit based on these:

• Spray perfume on your clothes only after you have finished dressing. (If there are any stains on the garment, it will be noticeable, especially on the embroidery.)
• Do not keep heavy body bags on your body that will touch your embroidery while you walk around.
• When you are done wearing your garment, place the garment in an open-air area until the following morning to allow it to air out before you pack it away.
• Do not over-pack your wardrobe or closet; allow your clothes space to breathe.
• Wet chikankari needs to be handled gently because wet threads are more fragile than dry.
• With consistent effort during the seasons, these simple actions can lead to improved conditions of items over time. 

Final Thoughts 

Chikankari is a delightful combination of skill, traditional values, and artistic talents; it is a piece of beauty that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. By properly caring for your Snapfab skilfully-created chikankari garments, you can keep them looking like the day they were first created. A cotton kurta or an organza-embellished ancestral in every way will have their history with you if you learn how to maintain them properly.

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