How should embroidered garments be washed and stored to preserve the embroidery?

Embroidered garments — whether machine embroidery, zari work, or hand embroidery — need special care to preserve the embellishment.

Washing rules for embroidered garments:

• Always hand wash: Machine washing — even on delicate — can loosen embroidery threads, break sequins, and distort patterns
• Cold water only: Hot water loosens adhesive on heat-set embellishments
• Turn inside out: Protects embroidery surface from direct agitation
• Do not squeeze or wring: Gently press water out — wringing distorts thread work
• Dry flat or on padded hanger: Prevents embroidery weight from distorting the garment shape

Storage:

• Wrap in acid-free tissue paper or muslin — never fold embroidery directly on itself
• Store flat rather than hanging for heavy embroidered pieces — hanging causes the weight of embroidery to pull the base fabric
• Keep away from other garments — sequins and beads scratch adjacent fabrics