Handloom garments are an emotion. Hold them close to yourself with your eyes closed and you still feel the life energy of the human who has handwoven them. The human with his own life narrative and the skills with which they create meaningful physical pieces are passed on to you.
Sukanya Bhataacharya founder Prathaa stated in an interaction with ABP Live, "The loom artists and their families are intimately involved in the entire weaving process, from planning the warp and weft placement according to the desired design/motif to staying alert at every step of weaving the warp and weft appropriately and delicately handling the yarns. Handloom is a time-consuming procedure for similar reasons, capturing moments in the life and feelings of the artist behind it".
"The warmth that handwoven clothing convey deserves the same amount of pampering for a longer and more beautiful life to make you look good and feel better," she added, before explaining how to care for handloom garments:
- Hand wash them in cold water with light detergent - in the day and age of machine wash, our handloom garments deserve a little more attachment to them. This engaged activity of hand washing them deepens the bond with the lifeless piece of garment and the loveliest skilled and creative hands behind them. Experience to believe the feeling.
- Turn it inside out and dry it in the shade - There is this beautiful romanticism in putting your washed clothes on the clothesline to dry. Being mindful of not putting them under direct sun rays and placing them inside out again helps you stay more involved in the piece of the garment while taking care of your handloom piece of clothing.
- Keep it wrapped in a muslin bag for better longevity of the garment - Just the way you wrap gifts bought with love for your closest relationship, observe how you feel while you do this exercise of covering your most loved garments for yourself. This process of engagement along with bringing happiness to yourself also adds to the life of your garment, handwoven with love.
- Use Natural spices as insect repellents - Home remedies with natural spices as insect repellents (do not use Naphthalene balls). We have successfully recommended and used the following - Cinnamon, Camphor, Clove, and Hawan lakdi, adding a beautiful natural aroma to your garments and keeping them safe from insects too.
- Reduce the number of washes - Do not wash your garments after every use, it decreases the life of the fabrics. Instead, air dry your garment after wearing it, fold it and wrap it with love and keep it for your next use.
Once you have followed all of this and worn your handloom garment enough times, find ways of passing on your pre-loved garments to friends who will re-love them. This would be your little eco-friendly gesture, your contribution to a better and cleaner environment for our future generations. “Hand me downs”, donations, or also innovative ways of re-selling your pre-loved handloom clothing are a few we can recommend.