How to Care for Your Saree in the Rainy Season — Before & After Wearing
The monsoon is one of the most beautiful times of the year in India — but it can be unforgiving on your sarees. Humidity, moisture, and unexpected downpours can damage delicate fabrics if you're not careful. Here's everything you need to know to keep your sarees looking their best through the rainy season.
Before You Wear: Preparing Your Saree for the Monsoon
1. Choose the Right Fabric
Not all sarees are monsoon-friendly. During the rainy season, opt for fabrics that dry quickly and resist moisture damage:
- Cotton sarees (like our Komal Kapas collection) — breathable, quick-drying, and easy to wash
- Kota Doriya (like Saanjh Doriya) — lightweight and airy, ideal for humid days
- Cotton Silk (like Resham Hawa) — a good balance of elegance and practicality
Save your tissue and heavy silk sarees for indoor festive occasions during the monsoon — they are more vulnerable to moisture and humidity damage.
2. Store Sarees Properly Before the Season Begins
- Air out all your sarees before the monsoon sets in — even those you won't be wearing immediately
- Wrap each saree in a clean, dry muslin cloth before folding — never store in plastic bags, which trap moisture
- Place silica gel packets in your wardrobe to absorb excess humidity
- Add a few neem leaves or camphor balls to deter insects and mildew
- Avoid storing sarees in direct contact with wooden shelves, which can transfer moisture and colour
3. Check for Dampness Before Wearing
Even a saree stored carefully can absorb ambient humidity. Before draping, unfold and air it out for 15–20 minutes. If it feels even slightly damp, do not wear it — dampness against the skin can cause skin irritation and the fabric may develop a musty smell.
After You Wear: Post-Monsoon Saree Care
4. Never Fold a Damp Saree
This is the most common monsoon mistake. If your saree got wet — even slightly — hang it out to dry completely in a well-ventilated area before folding and storing. Folding a damp saree is the fastest way to invite mildew and permanent fabric damage.
5. Dry in Shade, Not Direct Sunlight
While it's tempting to dry sarees quickly in the sun, direct sunlight can fade colours and weaken delicate fibres. Always dry in a shaded, airy spot. A ceiling fan indoors works well on rainy days when outdoor drying isn't possible.
6. Wash Promptly if Soiled
- Cotton sarees — can be hand-washed gently in cold water with a mild detergent; avoid wringing
- Kota Doriya — hand wash with care; the open weave can distort if handled roughly
- Cotton Silk & Semi-Silk — dry clean recommended, or hand wash very gently in cold water
- Tissue sarees — always dry clean; never wet wash
7. Re-fold Along Different Lines
After washing and drying, refold your saree along slightly different lines than before. Folding along the same creases repeatedly weakens the fabric at those points over time — a small habit that significantly extends the life of your sarees.
8. Iron with Care
Once dry, iron your saree while it still has a very slight dampness for the best results. Use the appropriate heat setting for the fabric — cotton can handle higher heat, while silk and tissue need a low setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric.
Quick Monsoon Saree Care Checklist
- ✓ Store with silica gel and muslin wrapping
- ✓ Air out before wearing
- ✓ Choose cotton or Kota Doriya for rainy day outings
- ✓ Never fold when damp
- ✓ Dry in shade, not direct sun
- ✓ Wash promptly and gently
- ✓ Refold along different lines each time
With a little extra care, your sarees will come through the monsoon as beautiful as they went in. At Lashaya, we believe a well-loved saree only gets better with time — and the right care is what makes that possible.
Browse our monsoon-friendly collections — Saanjh Doriya, Resham Hawa, and Komal Kapas — for sarees that wear beautifully through every season.