How To Easily Remove Oil Stains From Silk Sarees: Hacks and Precautions

Silk sarees are a timeless choice of fashion in every woman’s wardrobe. These sarees hold a cultural tradition of being handed down through generations. This treasured heirloom of silk sarees is worn with pride by many women and secures a significant place in their hearts. While the silk material is organic and more sensitive to damage, they must be handled with care. So how do you prevent or remove oil stains from silk sarees without causing any damage to colour and fabric?

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Steps To Remove Oil Stains From Silk Sarees

Since oil stains sink deep and spread into the silk threads, removing these stains is tricky and requires. Here’s the step-by-step guide to removing oil stains from silk sarees-

1. Sprinkle some talcum powder or cornstarch on the oil stain, and leave it to absorb the oil for 20-30 minutes.

2. Take a dry cloth or a tissue and gently dab on the stain area. Make sure not to be aggressive or wipe.

3. While dabbing, start the movement inward from the outer edge of the stain and slowly towards the inner spot of the stain.

4. Slowly, lift the cloth and keep blotting to prevent any redepositing of the oil. Repeat this step until there’s no oil left to be transferred to the cloth

5. Gently brush off the powder from the oil stain mark, and clean the area with a mild detergent or opt for dry cleaning.

Precautions To Remove Oil Stains From Silk Saree

Silk sarees hold a cultural significance of being handed down from one generation to the other. As the silk material in these sarees is organic and prone to quick damage, here are certain precautions to keep in mind while removing oil stains from silk sarees: 

• Stains set quickly in silk sarees. To avoid any significant mark being left, ensure you remove the stain spot as much as possible.

• Try testing your preferred stain removal technique on the inner side of the saree first to ensure that it doesn’t dull the colours or fabric.

• Silk being a protein-based fibre, it is highly recommended to use lukewarm water while washing the saree using a light detergent. This is because hot water weakens the fibres, and using harsh chemicals results in fading of the colour.

• Always dab the stained area with a tissue or a dry and light cloth, as scrubbing the fabric spreads the oil stain and damages the silk fibres and makes them more prone to breakage.

• Washing on the reverse side helps to push the stain out and prevents the stain from settling deeper into the fabric.

Silk sarees are the most royal and delicate fashion staple for many. With their delicacy, they are highly sensitive to attracting stains. Which is why removing oil stains from silk sarees must be done gently and requires high patience. The most common mistakes that ruin sarees are almost always the result of panic or hurry to restore them. Knowing the right methods and adhering to the precautions while removing the oil stains are crucial to keep your silk saree to live longer and continue the traditions it’s destined to continue.

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(Image credit: Pinterest)

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