How To Care For Your Handwoven Woollen Textiles

Woollen textiles from the hill stations of Bengal are known for their beautiful weaves and intricate and complex designs. These woollen products are highly in demand all over the world for their quality and making.
In Bengal, this craft is kept alive by the women of Hayden Hall in Darjeeling, who create a wide variety of products using the backstrap method. Some of the most gorgeous and complex textiles have been woven using this simple arrangement of sticks and yarn. Backstrap weaving is a very ancient technique where the yarn is attached on one end to a stick, and the other end is attached to the weaver’s hip. What makes this technique so unique but time-consuming is the fact that a weaver has to build a new loom for every new project.
 
The women here make woollen shawls, mufflers, cardigans, hats, hand gloves, etc. The process is often quite laborious and takes the weaver at least two-and-a-half to three days to finish a single garment using the backstrap method of weaving. Right now, the only place that produces these unique handwoven woollen garments using the backstrap method is Hayden Hall in Darjeeling.

What You Should Do To Take Care Of Your Woollen Textiles

Now let's get on to how you should care for your woollen textiles to make them last longer:
Handwoven woollen textiles are unique in that every single weave is a choice made by a human being. A choice to make something beautiful. Unlike factory-made products, handwoven woollens are distinct and singular. You probably won't find an exact replica of a product, down to every single weave, anywhere. Taking care of such a unique product is important. Even if it's a simple sweater or a scarf, proper care is needed to maintain the original appearance of the product. Here are a few tips on how to care for your hand-woven woollen textiles to ensure they last you a long time without any wear or tear:
 

• Handwashing
  These days, we are so used to the washing machine that we tend to throw all our clothes at once into the washer. Handwoven woollen textiles are delicate and can easily stretch and become disfigured if washed with your other clothes. That's why hand washing these garments is very important.
  But if you do not wish to hand wash your woollen garments separately, you can soak them in water with a mild detergent specifically meant for wool for half an hour. Then simply wash off the detergent without rubbing or wringing the fabric.
   
• Drying
  Do not wring your woollen garments to remove water. Do not use excess force, or you will damage the fibres of your woollen textile. Instead, you can gently press out the water and lay the garment in between dry and clean towels. Lay it flat in between two towels and leave it to air dry. Avoid hanging your woollens, as this can cause stretching and distort the shape of the woollen fibres.
   
• Storage
  Wool clothes should be stored in cool, dry areas with no direct sunlight. Make sure that moth balls are added to the trunk or closet where winter clothes are being stored. This will ensure that insects or pests cannot get to the garment, leading to holes and mildew. Make sure that the storage space is clean and free from any dirt.
   
• Treat with care
  Steer clear of accessories or jewellery that can catch on to your clothing. Make sure your hands are clean before handling any woollen materials to prevent the spread of oils or dirt.
   
• Maintenance
  Make sure your woollen fabrics are free of rips and damage on a regular basis. Finding issues at an early stage is better, as they can be fixed easily. If your garment has loose threads or small tears, then get it fixed. Inspect your clothes before you wash them to ensure no tear or damage becomes worse.
   

Conclusion

You will be able to wear your woollen clothes for years if you care for them properly. If you take care of your woollen garments, you are prolonging their longevity and preserving their artistry. If you follow our tips, you won’t need to buy new wool for many years. If you treat your clothes with respect, they will bring beauty and warmth to your life.
The Bengal Store offers you plenty of handwoven woollen textiles thanks to its pure wool sweaters, comforters, and shawls hand-woven by women artisans from remote villages in the Eastern Himalayas, bringing Tibetan, Gorkha, and Lepcha art and culture into your lives.