Care Guide

How to Love Your IZORAA

Your IZORAA kurti is made from natural fabrics — cotton, mulmul, khadi, linen blends — that breathe with your body and get softer with every wash. A little care goes a long way in keeping them radiant for years.

Before the First Wash

We recommend washing your IZORA kurti before wearing it for the first time. This removes any residue from the production process and pre-softens the fabric for your skin.

Soak in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes before the first wash. Add one teaspoon of white vinegar to the soak water — this sets the colour and prevents bleeding. Wash separately from other garments for the first two to three washes. Some colour release is natural in the first wash and will stop after that.

Pro tip — Add a pinch of salt to your first cold wash. It naturally locks colour into cotton fibres and keeps your kurti vibrant wash after wash.

Washing

Hand wash is always recommended.

Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water — never hot. Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent or baby shampoo. Gently swirl the garment — do not scrub, wring, or twist. Rinse thoroughly with cold water until no soap remains. Press gently to remove excess water and never wring.

If you must machine wash — use the delicate or gentle cycle only, cold water at 30°C maximum, turn the garment inside out, use a mesh laundry bag, and set the spin to low. Never use fabric softener on embroidered pieces.

Never use hot water. It shrinks natural cotton fibres and fades block prints permanently.

Drying

Always dry in the shade. Direct sunlight fades colours, especially block prints and indigo dyes. Lay flat to dry when possible — this maintains the shape and prevents stretching. If hanging, use a wide hanger to avoid shoulder marks. Do not tumble dry. Cotton and mulmul dry quickly, usually within two to three hours in shade.

Dry your kurti inside out in shade — this single habit keeps colours bright for years longer.

Ironing and Steaming

Iron while slightly damp for the smoothest result. Always iron inside out to protect prints and embroidery. Use low to medium heat — never high heat on cotton or mulmul. For embroidered pieces, place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the garment. Never iron directly over block prints as the heat can crack the dye. Steaming is the gentlest option and is recommended for all IZORA pieces. For the Zoha Twilight Anarkali — steam only, do not iron the flared hem.

Stain Removal

Act immediately — the faster you treat a stain, the easier it comes out. Blot gently with a clean cloth and never rub, as rubbing spreads the stain. Apply a small amount of mild soap directly to the stain and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the stain out.

For oil stains — sprinkle corn starch or talcum powder, leave for 30 minutes, then brush off before washing. For colour stains like turmeric or curry — soak immediately in cold salty water. Never use bleach or harsh stain removers on IZORA fabrics. If in doubt, take the garment to a trusted dry cleaner who works with natural Indian fabrics.

Care by Fabric Type

Pure Cotton — Cold hand wash preferred. Dry flat in shade. Iron on medium heat inside out. Gets softer with every wash.

Cotton Mulmul — Hand wash only, it is very delicate. Never wring or twist. Dry flat and it reshapes itself. Steam only, no direct iron.

Khadi — Cold hand wash only. May shrink slightly so air dry flat. Iron damp, inside out, on medium heat. Grows softer and more beautiful with age.

Cotton-Linen Blend — Gentle machine wash or hand wash. Wrinkles naturally — embrace it. Steam or iron damp inside out. Dry hanging as it retains shape well.

Block Print Pieces — Always wash separately for the first three washes. Cold water only as hot water cracks the dye. Never iron directly over the print. Some fading over time is natural beauty.

Hand Embroidered Pieces — Hand wash very gently, never machine wash. Do not soak for long periods. Dry flat and never hang embroidered pieces. Iron only on the reverse with a cloth barrier.

Storage

Always store clean — never store with stains as they set permanently over time. Fold gently and store flat. Hanging for long periods stretches natural fabrics. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Place a neem leaf or cedar block in your wardrobe to naturally repel insects — safe for all fabrics. Avoid plastic bags as natural fabrics need to breathe. Use cotton bags or muslin pouches instead.

For the Anarkali — store on a wide hanger with the skirt loosely folded to preserve the flare. Keep embroidered pieces away from rough surfaces that can snag the threads.

The muslin draw-string bag from your IZORA unboxing is perfect for storing your kurti. It was designed exactly for this.

A Note on Natural Fabrics

Natural fabrics like cotton, khadi, and mulmul behave differently from synthetic materials — and that is entirely intentional. They breathe with your body. They soften with wear. They carry the story of their making in every thread.

Some gentle fading, slight texture changes, and natural wear are not flaws — they are the fabric becoming yours. Block prints deepen with age. Khadi grows more beautiful the more it is worn. Cotton becomes softer with every wash.

Caring for your IZORA kurti is an act of slowness in a fast world. We believe that is worth something.

“Wear it. Wash it gently. Let it become yours.”

Rooted · Radiant · Real