This happened to be the evening before Dussehra and Meera opened her closet and got depressed.
Her silk sari, the beautiful maroon colored one which had a gold lining and which she got from her mother, had been folded at the same place since the last Diwali. There was a distinct crease running along the middle and a slight yellow stain had occurred around the crease. She had just less than 24 hours to go before the Ravan Dahan and her family was coming in the morning but her best dress was now looking old.
Does this sound familiar? Then you are not alone. Each year, before Dussehra arrives, there are thousands like you who go about their festive dresses and discover wrinkles, musty smell, stubborn stains or old-looking clothes because they have been stored for too long.
But don’t worry! It doesn’t take too much to keep your festive wardrobe like new if you plan ahead and know how to dry clean and take care of your laundry.
9 Days of Festivities, Zero Stain Worries!
Why Dussehra Outfits Need Extra Care
Dussehra is not just another day. It’s a day when people meet their family, visit temples, go to the fair, click pictures, and celebrate late into the night. Our clothing on such occasions is special; it includes our favorite silk sarees, embroidered kurtas, sherwanis, lehengas, Banarasi dupattas, and woolen shawls, to suit the cooler days of October.
These clothes are not like the usual T-shirts you own. Special fabrics, use of zari, sequins, and delicate embroidery require professional care. Wrong handling at home may result in loss of color, shrinking of fabric or even damaging the intricate work on your festive clothes forever.
Step 1: Start Early, Don’t Wait for the Last Minute
Meera’s greatest error would be to wait until the night before. With the festive season in full swing, dry cleaners get quite busy. It is natural that everyone wants their clothes cleaned at one time.
Our recommendation: Take your clothes for dry Cleaning at least 3 to 4 days prior to the Dussehra festival. This ensures that the cleaner has enough time to deal with your stained clothes and press them properly.
Step 2: Know What Goes to the Dry Cleaner
Not all clothes are machine washable. Give these to the dry cleaner before Dussehra:
Silk and Banarasi sarees: they are liable to bleed colours and lose their shine when exposed to water
Kurtas, lehengas and sherwanis with embroidery and zari work: intricate items require gentle handling
Woollen shawls and jackets: great wear for cool Dussehra nights, but susceptible to shrinkage
Blazers, Nehru jackets and bandhgalas: such items require proper pressing
Dupattas made from chiffon, georgette or net: fragile fabrics that wrinkle easily
Cotton and linen clothes are machine washable; however, having them professionally washed and pressed will give them that crisp look as well.
Step 3: Spot the Stains Before They Set
Do you recall the haldi-kumkum stains from last year’s puja ceremony or the chai stains from last night’s family meal? Stains become tougher with age.
There is one rule of gold you should never forget: no rubbing and no hot water. Blot the stain gently and let your dry cleaner know the cause of the stain (oil stain, food stain, ink stain, or makeup stain). Different stains require different methods of cleaning.
Step 4: Why Steam Pressing Beats a Home Iron
A home iron will burn sensitive materials, cause shiny spots on the silk, or crush the embroidered work. The professional steam pressing process allows fibers to relax gradually without wrinkling and retaining the natural texture of the fabric. That’s the key to obtaining wrinkle-free clothes for the festive occasion.
Step 5: Store Your Clothes the Right Way After Cleaning
- Meera’s saree acquired the crease due to being folded in the same manner month after month. Do not make the same blunder.
- Hang heavy clothes such as sherwanis, blazers and lehengas on padded hangers
- Refold the sarees by folding along different lines after every few months to prevent creases
- Use cotton or muslin coverings instead of plastic coverings that absorb moisture leading to yellowing
- Keep neem leaves and lavender in your closet to keep the moths and mustiness at bay
- Protect clothes from sun exposure
Step 6: The Dussehra-Morning Touch-Up
- Even if your outfit is immaculately clean, it might still develop a few lines on its way to your destination. On the day of the festival:
- Put your outfit to hang in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam will soften the wrinkles.
- Flatten the material with your hands.
- Get dressed last when everything else is ready.
What Happened to Meera’s Saree?
Just by making one frantic phone call, Meera sent out her saree for dry cleaning. It was returned the very next day, crisp and fresh with a subtle fragrance, and there went the wrinkle along with the bright golden border of the saree.
That is how different it feels when you have the right dry cleaning services. It is not about cleaning the clothes. It is about preserving the clothes that you hold dear.
Why Choose Washodry for Your Festive Dry Cleaning and Laundry?
Washodry knows that festival attire is more than just clothing; it’s an integral part of your festivities. With our numerous outlets in Noida, Gurgaon, Delhi, Agra, and elsewhere, we help you experience premium dry cleaning, washing, and steam pressing in the most convenient manner possible so that you can concentrate on your festivities.
On this Dussehra, ensure that your clothing receives its due by booking yourself a spot for premium dry cleaning services at Washodry. Walk confidently to your festivals without having to worry about your clothing.
👉Visit the nearest Washodry outlet for convenient laundry services.!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the recommended time when I should get my clothes for dry cleaning before Dussehra?
At least 3-4 days in advance because during Dussehra time, there is a surge in the demand for dry cleaning and laundry services.
- Is it possible to wash silk sarees at home?
No, as the colour and shine of the silk saree will fade.
- How do I get rid of wrinkles from my festive clothes without using an iron?
You can hang the clothes in a humid bathroom or use a steamer for your clothes. Professional steam pressing is always the safest method if you have delicate clothes.
- What should be done to preserve my festive clothes after Dussehra?
Clean the clothes and keep them in cotton covers along with neem leaves or lavender pouches, away from sunlight and moisture.
- Can I dry clean my embroidered clothes?
Yes, if done professionally. Dry cleaning is safer than using machines on embroidered clothes.