A well-cared-for Kanjivaram or Banarasi can last fifty years. The same saree stored carelessly can begin deteriorating in five. The difference is almost entirely in how you fold and keep it.
Never fold along the zari border
This is the most common mistake. The zari border is where the metallic thread is densest, and folding along it creates a crease that repeatedly stresses the same threads. Over time, the zari cracks and separates from the base fabric. The fix is simple: fold the saree so the border sits inside a soft roll, not on the fold line.
Wrap in muslin, not plastic
Silk is a protein fibre — it needs to breathe. Storing a silk saree in a plastic bag creates a micro-environment of trapped moisture, which encourages mildew and yellowing. Always wrap in soft, undyed muslin (the cloth your saree came wrapped in is usually perfect) or acid-free tissue paper.
If you have multiple sarees stored together, separate them with muslin between each one. Zari from one saree can snag the weave of another if they are in direct contact.
Air them twice a year
Take your silk sarees out of storage at least twice a year — ideally before and after monsoon season. Let them hang in a shaded, well-ventilated room for a few hours. This releases trapped moisture, prevents mildew, and keeps the fibres from setting in the fold permanently.
When you re-fold after airing, change the fold position slightly. This prevents permanent crease lines from forming.
Dry clean, but not too often
Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents that gradually strip the natural lustre of silk. Dry clean only when necessary — after a function, if there is a stain, or once a year as maintenance. For sarees worn casually, a gentle hand wash in cold water with a mild soap (not detergent) is actually better for the fabric over the long term.
For Kanjivarams and heavily zari-worked sarees, stick to dry cleaning. The combination of heavy metal thread and water tension can distort the weave.
Kiran Sawhney
Founder, Sohum Sutras
