Caring for Your Mukhawar Fabric: Washing & Care by Fabric Type

A mukhawar is worn close to the skin and often for long hours, so keeping the fabric looking fresh matters. Here's how to care for it, by fabric type.

Cotton

Wash in cold or lukewarm water and turn the piece inside out first to protect any print or embroidery from friction. A mild, dye-friendly detergent without bleach keeps colors true for longer. Air-dry or use a low-heat tumble dry, and iron on the reverse side on a medium setting.

Silk

Silk is best hand-washed in cold water with a gentle, silk-safe detergent, or dry cleaned — especially for pieces with gold or silver thread embroidery. Avoid wringing; instead, gently press out excess water and lay flat to dry away from direct sun, which can dull silk's natural sheen over time.

Chiffon

Chiffon is delicate and prone to snagging, so hand washing in cool water is safest. Avoid the dryer entirely — hang to dry instead, and iron on the lowest heat setting with a pressing cloth in between if needed.

A few general tips

It helps to store embroidered pieces folded rather than hung, to avoid stress on the embellishment, and to keep silk and chiffon pieces away from direct, prolonged sunlight, which can affect both color and sheen over time. Spot-cleaning a small mark as soon as you notice it, rather than waiting for a full wash, also goes a long way toward keeping a piece looking new.

Looking for a specific print? Browse our full catalog of mukhawar fabric by the meter.