A handblock printed dohar is not a disposable textile. Treated well, it becomes softer, more beautiful, and more personal with every wash. Here's everything you need to know to keep yours looking its best for years.
Why Care Instructions Matter More for Handblock Prints
Machine-printed fabrics use synthetic dyes bonded to synthetic fibres — they're engineered to withstand aggressive washing. Handblock printed cotton is different. Natural dyes on natural fibres are living materials. They respond to heat, harsh chemicals, and mechanical stress. The good news: caring for them is simple, not complicated.
The First Wash: The Most Important One
Before you use your dohar for the first time:
- Soak it in cold water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar is a natural mordant that helps set the dye.
- Wash gently by hand or on a delicate machine cycle (cold water, no spin).
- Do not wring. Roll it in a dry towel to remove excess water, then hang to dry in shade.
This first wash removes any residual dye and pre-shrinks the fabric slightly. After this, the colours are stable.
Ongoing Washing: Keep It Simple
- Water temperature: Always cold or lukewarm. Hot water breaks down natural dyes faster than anything else.
- Detergent: Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Avoid anything with bleach, optical brighteners, or enzyme-based formulas — these strip natural dyes.
- Machine washing: Use the delicate or hand-wash cycle. Put the dohar in a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction.
- Hand washing: The gentlest option. Swish gently in a basin — do not scrub or twist.
Drying: Shade Is Your Friend
Direct sunlight is the enemy of natural dyes. UV rays cause fading far faster than washing does. Always dry your dohar:
- In open shade, or indoors near a window
- Laid flat or hung over a wide rod (not a thin line, which can leave crease marks)
- Never in a tumble dryer — the heat and mechanical action will shrink the fabric and stress the print
Storage: Fold, Don't Compress
- Store clean and completely dry (even slight dampness causes mildew on natural cotton)
- Fold loosely and store in a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase — not plastic
- Refold along different lines every few months to prevent permanent crease marks
- A small sachet of dried neem leaves or lavender keeps insects away without chemicals
What to Do If Colours Bleed
Some colour transfer in the first 1–2 washes is normal for handblock prints, especially with deep reds and indigos. If you notice bleeding:
- Wash separately for the first 2–3 washes
- Add a tablespoon of salt to the wash water (helps set remaining dye)
- Do not panic — this is not a defect, it is the nature of natural dyes
When It Needs Refreshing
After many washes, if the dohar feels stiff: soak for 20 minutes in cold water with a few drops of hair conditioner, then rinse and dry flat. The fabric will recover its softness.
The Reward: A Textile That Ages Beautifully
Unlike synthetic prints that crack and peel, handblock prints on cotton develop a patina. The colours mellow into each other, the fabric becomes progressively softer, and the piece takes on a character that is uniquely yours. This is what heirloom textiles feel like.
Ready to start your collection?
Browse our full range of handblock printed dohars — single, double, and kids' sizes — at
