Hand block printed cotton is made to be lived in. Treated gently, the cloth softens and the colours mellow beautifully over years. The one thing to know: it’s printed by hand with natural, azo-free pigment dyes, so the first wash needs a little care.
Why the first wash matters
On the first wash a small amount of excess surface dye can rinse away — this is normal for hand-printed, naturally finished cloth and isn’t a fault. Wash the piece cold and separately the first time so any loose colour doesn’t transfer.
Step-by-step care
- First wash: hand wash, or a gentle machine cycle, in cold water, separately.
- After that: cold gentle machine wash with a mild detergent — no bleach or harsh stain removers.
- Dry in shade, not direct sun, to keep colours rich.
- Warm-iron on the reverse if needed.
Is block print cotton colourfast — does it bleed?
Once that first wash is done, the colour is stable. The initial rinse-out is the dye settling, not the print failing. Following the cold-wash routine above keeps it colourfast for the long run.
Make it last
Good cotton takes well to gentle care and small repairs. The same routine works whether you’re caring for a sarong, a kaftan, or fabric by the yard you’ve sewn yourself.