A hand block-printed cotton textile is not a delicate object. It is made to be used — slept under, sat on, carried daily, washed regularly. This guide covers washing, drying, ironing, storage, and stain treatment for every Pinai product: dohars, quilts, bedsheets, throws, table covers, travel pouches, and laptop sleeves.
The Core Principle — Cold Water, Shade Drying, No Bleach
● Cold water — hot water is the primary cause of colour loss in natural dyes and shrinkage in natural cotton. Cold water preserves both.
● Shade drying — direct sunlight fades natural dyes significantly faster than the fabric itself ages. Dry in shade and colours develop a patina rather than fading.
● No bleach — bleach destroys natural cotton fibre and strips natural dye permanently. There is no recovery from bleach on a block-printed textile.
Caring for Dohar Blankets
|
Step |
Guidance |
|
Machine washing |
Cold, gentle cycle. Natural cotton does not need warm water. |
|
Detergent |
Mild, pH-neutral. Avoid enzyme-heavy formulas — they break down natural dye over time. |
|
Drying |
Line dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. |
|
Ironing |
Medium heat while slightly damp. |
|
First wash |
Wash separately — some natural dye migration is normal and settles after 1–2 washes. |
|
Frequency |
Every 2–3 weeks for regular use. |
With proper care, a Pinai dohar blanket softens with every wash. After 20 washes it looks and feels better than it did when it arrived. Read more: what is a dohar.
Caring for Quilt Blankets
● Machine wash cold on gentle cycle — or dry clean for the first few washes
● Do not wring — this distorts the batting layer
● Dry flat on a clean surface or on a wide line so batting dries evenly
● Iron on low heat if needed
Browse Pinai quilt blankets — 200GSM natural cotton, naturally dyed, machine washable.
Caring for Cotton Bedsheets
● Wash cold, gentle cycle, weekly or as needed
● Do not wash with items that have zips or rough surfaces — these abrade the print
● Dry in shade — direct sun on a wet naturally dyed bedsheet is the fastest way to lose colour
● Iron while damp on medium-high heat for a crisp finish
● Wash the set together — sheet and pillowcases — so they age at the same rate
Pinai bedsheets include two matching pillow covers with every set. Wash together to maintain the colour match.
Caring for Cotton Throws and Table Covers
● Table covers: treat spills immediately with cold water. A cold rinse followed by mild detergent handles almost everything. See the table linens collection.
● Kora Throw: straighten tasselled edges before washing and drying. See the full throws collection.
● Gul Throw: the block-printed surface softens slightly with washing — this is expected and beautiful.
● Storage: fold loosely rather than tightly rolling to avoid permanent creases.
Caring for Quilted Travel Pouches and Laptop Sleeves
● Do not machine wash: agitation shifts the batting inside quilted pouches and laptop sleeves, creating permanent lumps.
● Spot clean — a damp cloth with mild detergent handles most marks on the exterior cotton surface.
● Hand wash — cool water, mild detergent, gentle compression. Do not wring.
● Dry flat — never hang while wet; the water weight pulls batting to one side.
For quilted pouch care in detail, read: how to care for a quilted cotton pouch.
Stain Treatment Guide
|
Stain type |
Treatment |
What not to do |
|
Food and drink (fresh) |
Cold water immediately. Mild detergent on area, 5 minutes, rinse cold. |
Hot water sets the stain. Hard rubbing spreads it. |
|
Oil or grease |
Blot dry first. Mild dish soap on area, 10 minutes, rinse cold. |
Do not wet before blotting. |
|
Ink |
Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball — dab, do not rub. Rinse cold. |
Rubbing spreads and sets ink. |
|
Natural dye transfer |
Normal cold wash. Expected on first use, settles after 1–2 washes. |
Do not panic — not a defect. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I machine wash hand block-printed cotton?
Flat cotton textiles — dohars, bedsheets, throws, table covers — are machine washable on cold gentle cycle. Quilted products (travel pouches and laptop sleeves) should be hand washed only.
Q: How do I prevent natural dyes from fading?
Cold water washing and shade drying are the two most important factors. Natural dyes develop a patina with care rather than fading.
Q: Why did some colour come off on the first wash?
Natural dye migration on first wash is normal. Always wash separately on first use. Not a defect — it settles after 1–2 washes.
Q: How do I clean a quilted travel pouch?
Spot clean for most marks. Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, squeeze gently, rinse, dry flat in shade. Do not machine wash.
Q: How often should I wash a dohar blanket?
Every 2–3 weeks for regular use. Cold gentle cycle, shade dry.