11.11/eleven eleven Guide: How to Care for Our Garments for Natural Longevity

As the Indian traditional looms and charkhas dance in a slow rhythm, our master artisans handspun yarns to create natural handwoven textile stories. Handcrafted natural fabrics, embraced in natural dye recipes, our pieces are designed to be lived in for years, softening, evolving, and ageing beautifully with you.

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind for these garments to remain fresh as new -

MATERIAL CARE:

All our fabrics are 100% pure and natural, be it indigenous cotton, Linen, Silk, Wool, etc. Every piece comes with its specific care instructions and craft story. To celebrate this heritage craftsmanship and lineage -

• It is advised to wash deeper coloured garments separately, while similar colours can be washed together.

• Wash coloured garments inside out.

• In a Washing Machine, use a slow cycle in cold water, not more than 25 minutes, with mild or a smaller quantity of detergent.

• These pieces should not be soaked in water for too long.

• Do not expose to direct sunlight for too long. Natural fibres thrive when allowed to breathe, so you can also air your garments in the shade after wear to keep them fresh.

Natural materials need to remain in their natural state. Interaction with harsh chemicals, or bleaches, can deteriorate the beauty of the piece.

CRAFT TECHNIQUES - BANDHANI CARE:

Only with our exceptional Indian Bandhani (a traditional tie and dye technique), we offer an exclusive add-on to preserve its unique crushed texture for a longer time. The Bandhani pieces come with a mesh bag to put the garment in while washing. This is a simple additional step to retain the unique artisanal charm of the indigenous artwork.

• Gentle handwash with the garment in a mesh bag, and wash inside out.

• Air-dry the garment naturally in the shade (no direct sunlight).

• Wash the garment with similar colours without mixing darker colours with lighter ones.

• These pieces should not be soaked in water for too long.

• No dry cleaning, ironing, or bleaching/use of harsh chemicals.

• Dry flat the garment in the mesh bag.

• In the Washing Machine, use cold water and wash in a slow cycle, not more than 25 minutes, with mild or a smaller quantity of normal detergent.

PLANT-BASED / NATURALLY DYED GARMENTS CARE:

11.11/eleven eleven continuously strives to make an effort towards making the naturally-dyed textiles (in plant-based recipes) easy to care for. There is constant R&D to establish the resistance of natural colour, and the garments repeatedly go through multiple tests. Presently, our garments are extremely close to industrial standards that promise durability and timelessness.

Among our many natural dye recipes, Indigo is most extensively used and celebrated. Our Indian handspun denims are also yarn-dyed in this Indigo. This plant-based dye is created in traditional vats for decades with 100% fructose-based fermentation. Mastering the craft with years of re-engineering – The deep, beautiful blue of the Indigo garments has been crafted to not rub off on lighter coloured couches or car seats.

With our deep research and constant innovation, we are making every garment easier to maintain than the last. Although colour bleeding is the most unlikely occurrence, in case it does happen on a rare chance, do remember -

• It is normal for naturally dyed garments to lose some colour in the initial washes, but then the hue stabilises.

• A slight fade is part of its beautifully natural ageing and appearance, only adding more grace to the piece as it softens.

• It is always advised to wash coloured garments inside out and not mix darker colours with light ones.

• It is also advised to dry them in the shade and avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause colour variation.

• These pieces should not be soaked in water for too long.

• No dry cleaning. It is strictly prohibited to use bleach or any other chemicals on these natural pieces.

Also Read:-

The Art and Science of Indigo

Silhouette Guide: Pants