Care Guide
How to care for your precious poshak collection
Your Laddu Gopal's poshak collection is a labour of love. Each piece, whether it is a daily cotton dress or a grand Janmashtami silk set, deserves proper care to maintain its beauty and longevity. Proper washing, storage and maintenance can make your poshak last for years, keeping the colours vibrant and the fabrics soft. This guide covers fabric-specific care instructions for every type of poshak in your collection.
Silk Poshak
Washing
- Hand wash plain silk poshak in cold water only. Use a very mild detergent or baby shampoo. Never use regular washing powder.
- Do not soak silk for more than 5 minutes. Prolonged soaking weakens the fibres and causes colour bleeding.
- Gently swirl the poshak in the water without rubbing, twisting or wringing. Treat it as delicately as the fabric it is.
- Rinse in cold water with a splash of white vinegar to restore the natural sheen of the silk.
- For embroidered or zari-work silk poshak, dry cleaning is strongly recommended. Home washing can damage embellishments.
Storage
- Store wrapped in a soft muslin or cotton cloth. Never use plastic bags as silk needs to breathe.
- Place silica gel packets nearby to absorb moisture and prevent mildew.
- Store flat or loosely rolled rather than tightly folded to prevent permanent crease marks.
- Keep silk poshak away from direct sunlight, as UV rays fade silk colours irreversibly.
Avoid These
- Using hot water. Heat damages silk fibres permanently and causes shrinkage.
- Applying perfume or agarbatti smoke directly near stored silk. The chemicals cause yellowing over time.
- Hanging wet silk. The weight of water can stretch and distort the fabric shape.
Quick tip: Add a pinch of sugar to the final rinse water. It gives silk a subtle stiffness that improves the drape on the idol.
Velvet Poshak
Washing
- Velvet poshak should ideally be dry cleaned. The plush pile is very sensitive to water and agitation.
- For light spot cleaning, use a damp cloth to gently blot (never rub) the affected area. Work from the outside of the stain inward.
- If hand washing is necessary, use cold water and a very gentle detergent. Do not wring or twist the fabric.
- Never machine wash velvet. The tumbling action will crush the pile permanently.
- After washing, gently press out water between two clean towels. Do not squeeze.
Storage
- Store velvet poshak flat or rolled with the pile facing outward. Never fold velvet as fold lines become permanent.
- Place acid-free tissue paper between layers to prevent the pile from crushing.
- Keep in a cool, dry place. Humidity is velvet's biggest enemy. Use silica gel packets generously.
- Use a soft velvet brush periodically to restore the pile direction and remove dust.
Avoid These
- Ironing velvet directly. This flattens the pile permanently. Always steam from the reverse side.
- Storing velvet folded or under heavy items. The crushed pile cannot be restored easily.
- Using lint rollers aggressively. They can pull and damage the delicate pile.
Quick tip: To remove light wrinkles from velvet, hold the poshak over a steaming kettle at a safe distance. The steam will naturally lift the pile without direct contact.
Brocade Poshak
Washing
- Brocade poshak should only be dry cleaned. The metallic zari threads are extremely delicate and react poorly to water.
- Never soak brocade in water. Even brief contact can tarnish the gold and silver threads.
- For minor dust, gently brush the surface with a soft, dry cloth in the direction of the weave.
- If a stain occurs, take it to a professional dry cleaner immediately. Do not attempt to treat it at home.
- Avoid using any chemical spot removers as they can react with the metallic threads.
Storage
- Wrap each brocade poshak in soft muslin cloth or acid-free butter paper before storing.
- Keep away from perfume, agarbatti smoke and incense. The chemicals tarnish the zari over time.
- Store flat in a drawer or box rather than hanging. The weight of brocade can stretch the fabric on a hanger.
- Air out brocade poshak periodically (every 2-3 months) to prevent musty odours.
Avoid These
- Attempting to wash brocade at home. Even gentle hand washing can ruin the zari permanently.
- Storing brocade in polythene or plastic. Trapped moisture causes oxidation and tarnishing.
- Spraying room freshener or perfume near stored brocade. Chemical reactions cause black spots on zari.
Quick tip: Store a small piece of camphor (kapoor) near your brocade poshak. It naturally repels insects and absorbs moisture without chemicals.
Cotton Poshak
Washing
- Cotton is the easiest fabric to maintain. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold or lukewarm water.
- Use a mild detergent without bleach. Bleach weakens cotton fibres and fades colours.
- For printed cotton poshak, turn inside out before washing to protect the print.
- Light starching after washing gives cotton poshak a crisp, fresh finish that drapes beautifully.
- Cotton can be wrung gently but avoid excessive twisting of embroidered pieces.
Storage
- Cotton poshak can be folded and stored in a clean, dry cupboard or drawer.
- Ensure they are completely dry before storing to prevent mildew.
- Neem leaves or dried lavender placed in the storage area naturally repel insects.
- Iron on medium heat while the poshak is slightly damp for the best results.
Avoid These
- Using hot water on coloured cotton. This causes colour bleeding and fading.
- Storing damp cotton. Even slight moisture leads to mildew and musty smells within days.
- Over-starching. Too much starch makes the fabric stiff and uncomfortable on the idol.
Quick tip: Soak new cotton poshak in salt water (1 tablespoon per litre) for 30 minutes before the first wash. This sets the colours and prevents future bleeding.
Satin Poshak
Washing
- Hand wash satin in cold water with a very mild liquid soap. Never use powder detergent on satin.
- Do not wring or twist satin. Gently press water out by rolling in a clean, dry towel.
- For embellished satin poshak (sequins, mirrors, beads), dry clean only.
- Avoid rubbing satin against itself. The smooth surface snags easily and creates pulls.
- Rinse thoroughly. Soap residue on satin creates dull, streaky marks.
Storage
- Store on padded hangers or rolled gently. Satin creases easily and crease marks can be stubborn.
- Place tissue paper between folds if stacking is necessary.
- Keep away from rough surfaces, velcro or anything that can snag the smooth weave.
- Store in a breathable cloth bag, not plastic, to prevent moisture buildup.
Avoid These
- Ironing on high heat. Satin melts or develops a permanent sheen change at high temperatures. Use the lowest iron setting on the reverse side only.
- Using a regular clothespin to hang wet satin. It leaves marks. Use padded clips or dry flat.
- Storing near sharp or rough items that can cause snags and pulls in the smooth weave.
Quick tip: To remove light wrinkles from satin without ironing, hang the poshak in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam naturally relaxes the fibres.
Protecting Your Collection
General Storage Best Practices
Use a dedicated poshak storage box
Invest in a clean, lined wooden or cardboard box specifically for your poshak collection. Cedar wood boxes are ideal as they naturally repel insects and absorb moisture.
Label your poshak by occasion
Organise your collection by category: daily wear, festival special, seasonal and occasion-specific. This makes it easy to find the right poshak quickly and prevents unnecessary handling of delicate pieces.
Rotate your collection regularly
Do not leave poshak unused for months at a time. Fabrics that sit undisturbed can develop creases, attract insects or absorb odours. Regular rotation keeps everything fresh and ready to wear.
Keep away from direct light
Store your poshak collection in a dark cupboard or covered box. UV light from both sunlight and tube lights gradually fades colours, especially on silk, satin and printed fabrics.
Seasonal maintenance check
At least twice a year (before summer and before winter), take out your entire collection, air everything in shade and check for any insect damage, stains or tarnishing on zari work. Early detection prevents permanent damage.
Quick Remedies
Emergency Stain Removal
Kumkum or Sindoor marks
Gently dab with a cotton pad soaked in milk. Milk proteins break down the kumkum pigment without damaging fabric. For stubborn marks, a paste of baking soda and cold water left for 15 minutes before gentle rinsing can help.
Ghee or Oil stains
Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder on the stain immediately and leave for 2-3 hours. The powder absorbs the oil. Then gently brush off. For older stains, try a small amount of dishwashing liquid applied directly to the spot before washing.
Haldi (Turmeric) stains
Turmeric is notoriously difficult to remove. Place the stained area in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours. UV light breaks down the curcumin pigment naturally. For persistent stains on cotton, a lemon juice and baking soda paste can help lighten the mark.
Agarbatti or Dhoop marks
For ash marks, gently brush off the residue first. Then dab with a damp cloth. For smoke discolouration on light fabrics, a mild baking soda soak (1 teaspoon per cup of cold water for 30 minutes) can help restore the colour.
Water spots on silk
Ironically, the best remedy for water spots on silk is controlled dampening. Lightly mist the entire poshak evenly with a spray bottle, then let it dry flat on a clean towel. This evens out the watermarks. Never iron a water-spotted area as it sets the stain.
Important: Always test any stain removal method on a small, hidden area of the poshak first. If the fabric is silk with zari work, brocade or heavily embellished, please take it to a professional dry cleaner rather than attempting home remedies.
Need More Help with Poshak Care?
Our team is always happy to help with specific care questions. Reach out on WhatsApp and we will guide you personally. You can also explore our fabric guide to learn more about each material.