You invested in a hand block printed cotton piece and you want it to last. The good news? Caring for it is simpler than most people think. You just need to know a few things that nobody tells you when you buy.
Here's everything, in one place.
Understanding Hand Block Printed Cotton
Hand block printing is done by pressing hand-carved wooden blocks dipped in dye onto cotton fabric, one stamp at a time, by hand.
Because the dye sits on natural fibre rather than being heat-bonded like synthetic fabric, it responds differently to washing. Treat it right and your piece will stay beautiful for years. Treat it like a polyester dress and you'll lose the colour and print far sooner than you should.
Before the First Wash — Do This
The first wash is the most important one. Excess dye that hasn't fully bonded to the fabric comes out in this wash. A little colour in the water is completely normal, it's not the print coming off, it's just the dye settling.
Before that first wash:
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Fix the colour first: Soak your piece in cold water with 2–3 tablespoons of salt for 20–30 minutes. Salt helps lock the dye into the cotton fibres and reduces colour release in future washes.
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Wash separately: For the first two or three washes, keep your block print piece away from light coloured clothes. Natural dyes can transfer slightly until they're fully settled.
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Handle gently from the start: No wringing, no scrubbing, no twisting. Block printed cotton is not delicate in the sense of being fragile, but the print needs gentle handling to stay sharp and vibrant.
Hand Washing — The Right Method
Hand washing is always the best choice for hand block printed cotton, especially for the first few washes.
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Fill a bucket or basin with cold water
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Add a small amount of mild, pH-neutral detergent, a teaspoon is genuinely enough
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Dissolve the detergent in the water before adding the garment
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Submerge your piece and swish gently. No scrubbing, no rubbing printed areas together
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Leave for no more than 5 minutes, prolonged soaking releases more dye
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Rinse twice in fresh cold water until the water runs clear
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Gently squeeze to remove water, never wring or twist
Drying — The Step Most People Get Wrong
Direct sunlight is the single biggest cause of fading in hand block printed cotton, even more than washing. UV rays break down the bond between natural dye and cotton fibre.
Always dry in shade.
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Hang in a shaded outdoor area with good airflow, or near an open window indoors
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Hang from the shoulders, hanging from the hem stretches wet cotton out of shape
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Never leave wet cotton bunched up, hang it immediately after washing
Ironing and Storing
Ironing: Always turn your piece inside out before ironing. Ironing directly on the printed side at high heat can flatten the slight texture of the print and cause colour transfer onto the iron. Use a medium heat setting. Steam works well on cotton, even hanging in a steamy bathroom will release most wrinkles.
Storing:
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Fold and store flat rather than hanging long-term, cotton stretches on hangers over months
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Keep away from direct sunlight even inside your cupboard
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Use neem leaves or cedar as a natural moth repellent, avoid chemical mothballs which can react with natural dyes
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Air out stored pieces every few months
Dealing with Stains
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Act fast: Blot stains immediately with a damp cloth — never rub
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Oil stains: Apply a tiny amount of dish soap directly, leave 2–3 minutes, then hand wash
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Sweat marks: Soak in cold water with a little lemon juice for 10 minutes before washing
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Stubborn stains: Take to a professional dry cleaner and tell them specifically it is hand block printed cotton.
Never use bleach or oxygen-based stain removers on block printed cotton.
A Note on Colour Over Time
Here's something worth knowing: hand block printed cotton with natural dyes will soften slightly in colour over time. This is not damage. It's the fabric ageing the way natural fabric is meant to, developing a lived-in quality that actually makes it more beautiful.
Fast fashion is engineered to look exactly the same until it falls apart. A well-cared-for Serovey piece tells a different story, one that gets better with every wash.
Have a question about your specific Serovey piece? DM us on Instagram @shopserovey, we're always happy to help.
Shop our hand block printed cotton collection.
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