Looking after hand-dyed cloth
Adire and batik are dyed by hand using traditional methods. Treated well, a piece will outlast most things in your wardrobe. Treated like a supermarket t-shirt, it will fade.
The first wash matters most
Wash the piece on its own the first time, in cold water. Hand-dyed indigo releases some surplus dye on its first wash — this is normal and it is not a fault. It will not do it again after the first two or three washes.
Do not put a new indigo piece in with anything white. Not once.
Everyday washing
- Cold water, hand wash or a gentle machine cycle at 30°C.
- Turn the garment inside out first.
- Mild detergent. No bleach, no oxygen brighteners, no biological powder.
- Wash with similar colours only.
Drying
Dry in the shade, inside out. Direct sun is the fastest way to fade hand-dyed cloth — more damaging than washing. Never tumble dry.
Given the British climate, an airer indoors away from a radiator is ideal.
Ironing
Medium heat, inside out, while very slightly damp. If the fabric has a crinkle texture, skip the iron entirely — the texture is part of the design and pressing flattens it permanently.
Storage
Hang boubous and kaftans rather than folding them; long creases can set into the drape. Keep them out of direct light.
If a piece bleeds onto something
Rinse the affected item in cold water immediately, before it dries. Warm water sets dye. If you catch it quickly it usually comes out.