Guide
Costume Care
Silk rewards patience. A few habits keep a costume stage-ready for a decade.
Cleaning
Dry clean only. Never machine wash a zari-bordered costume; spot-treat stains gently with a dry cloth.
Ironing
Iron on low heat from the reverse side with a cotton cloth in between. Re-set pleats while the fabric is slightly warm.
Storage
Wrap in unbleached cotton, store flat, and refold along different lines each season to avoid permanent creases.
Between performances
Air the costume for a few hours before packing. Keep salangai and jewellery in separate pouches so hooks never catch the silk.