Caring for your textiles

Wash your piece on its own — separately from other laundry — in cold water for the first two or three washes. Natural and vegetable dyes are alive in a way synthetic colours are not, and a little excess dye may rinse away at the start. This is completely normal and not a defect; it simply settles the colour into the cloth. After the first few washes, the shade holds beautifully.

• Hand wash, or use your machine’s gentle or delicate cycle, always in cold water.
• Choose a mild, pH-neutral or gentle detergent. Avoid bleach, harsh detergents, and anything with optical brighteners — these strip natural dyes and dull the print.
• Turn the piece inside out before washing to protect the block print from abrasion.
• Wash with like colours, and avoid long soaking.
• Cotton and linen love a gentle touch — a shorter, slower cycle is always kinder than a hot, vigorous one.

Dry your textiles in the shade or a well-aired spot, out of harsh direct sunlight. Strong sun can fade natural dyes over time, so a cool, breezy shade keeps colours truest.

• Line dry rather than tumble dry where you can.
• If you do tumble dry, use a low or no-heat setting — never high heat.
• Smooth and reshape the piece gently while it is still damp, so it dries evenly and needs little ironing.

Iron on a medium heat while the fabric is still slightly damp — this is the easiest way to bring back a crisp finish on cotton and linen. For block-printed pieces, iron on the reverse side to protect the print. A little steam helps ease out deeper creases in linen.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from damp and direct sunlight.
• Use breathable cotton or muslin bags rather than plastic, which can trap moisture and leave the cloth musty.
• For seasonal pieces such as dohars and quilts, make sure they are completely clean and fully dry before you put them away, and refold them along different lines now and then to avoid permanent creases.

Treat spills promptly — the sooner the better. Blot gently with a clean cloth, then dab the mark with a little mild soap and cold water, working from the outside in. Avoid rubbing hard or scrubbing, which can lift the print and spread the stain. Never reach for bleach or strong stain removers on naturally dyed cloth.

Every piece is made by human hands, so no two are exactly alike. Slight irregularities in the block print, gentle variations in colour, and the odd tiny imperfection are the marks of a real artisan at work — not flaws, but signatures of the craft.

With time and care, cotton and linen only grow softer and more lovely to the touch. Your textile is meant to be used, washed, and lived with; it will settle into your home and carry its own quiet story for years to come.

If you are ever unsure how to care for a particular piece, we would love to help. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll happily guide you.

Knots of Jaipur · Jaipur, Rajasthan, India