AKICIF: How do you wash a sari?

[lydy]

I have a beautiful silk sari in midnight blue and teal with extremely elaborate silver embroidery that I adore. It looks beautiful, and it makes me look beautiful. I've had it for five years or so, and while I don't wear it often, I know that skin oils can damage fabric such as silk. At what point should I start to worry about washing it.

When that time comes, just exactly how does one wash 8 metres silk heavy with embroidery? And have it be smooth and ironed at the end of the process? I talked to a dry cleaner once, and he was unable to estimate, but said it could be more than $100. I'm thinking, no, not a chance.

I should really ask one of the sari shops that are starting to spring up on Central (Minneapolis has sari shops!), but I'm feeling lazy and also curious. Anybody know how this is done, even if it is feat to be performed by professionals only?

Comments

cleaners

[(Anonymous)]

There's a great cleaners on Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis that can clean anything. I purchased a beautiful gown that had a ton of bead work, then promptly dumped a plate on food on it the first time I wore it. I was heart-broken, because most dry cleaners won't touch beadwork, much less guarentee their work. However, Colonial Cleaners on Lyndale uses different techniques and took care of all the spills and didn't lose a single bead. It was quite impressive and cheap! I think it was around $20 or so. Hope this helps.

Re: cleaners

[lydy.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the people to talk to. I know where they are, they're really close to where I live.