Leheriya is one of Rajasthan's most joyful textile traditions — a resist-dye technique where fabric is rolled diagonally and tied before being dipped in natural or vegetable dyes, creating those signature wave-like stripes of colour. The result is breathtaking, but the very process that makes Leheriya so beautiful also makes it worth caring for thoughtfully.

Whether you've just brought home your first Leheriya saree or you've been wearing them for years, this guide will help you keep the colours vivid and the fabric soft for decades to come.

Why Leheriya Needs Special Care

Leheriya sarees are typically woven on lightweight cotton — often cotton or silk Kota Doria — and dyed using a tie-resist method. The dye penetrates unevenly by design, which is what creates the gradient effect. This means:

·         The fabric is delicate. Lightweight weaves can snag or distort if handled roughly.

·         The colours can bleed. Especially in the first few washes, dyes — particularly deep reds, pinks, and blues — may run slightly.

·         The ties leave texture. The crinkled, uneven surface is intentional and part of the charm. Aggressive washing or wringing can flatten it permanently.

Washing Your Leheriya Saree

Always hand wash. Machine washing, even on a gentle cycle, puts too much stress on the lightweight weave and can cause colours to bleed unevenly.

Step-by-step:

1.     Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water (never hot as heat sets bleeding and weakens fibres).

2.     Add a small amount of mild detergent — ideally one formulated for delicates or silk. Avoid detergents with bleach or optical brighteners.

3.     Submerge the saree and gently swish it through the water. Do not scrub, twist, or rub.

4.     Let it soak for no more than 5 minutes.

5.     Rinse thoroughly with cold water until the water runs clear.

First wash tip: Wash your Leheriya saree separately the first time. Some colour transfer is normal and expected — it doesn't mean the saree is low quality, it's simply the nature of natural and vegetable dyes.

Salt trick: Adding a tablespoon of table salt to the wash water can help set the dyes and reduce bleeding over time.

Drying

·         Never wring or twist the saree to remove water. This can distort the weave.

·         Instead, gently press the saree between two clean towels to absorb excess water.

·         Dry in the shade, not in direct sunlight. UV exposure fades natural dyes quickly, especially the bright pinks and yellows typical of Leheriya.

·         Hang the saree over a wide rod or lay it flat. Avoid thin hangers that can leave crease marks on wet fabric.

Ironing

Leheriya's crinkled texture means it often doesn't need ironing at all and many wearers prefer the natural, lived-in look.

If you do want to iron:

·         Use a low to medium heat setting.

·         Iron on the reverse side of the fabric.

·         Place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the saree for extra protection.

·         Never iron directly over the tie-dye sections, the heat can alter how the dye sits in the fabric.

Storing Your Leheriya Saree

How you store your saree matters as much as how you wash it.

·         Fold with muslin or soft cotton. Wrap your Leheriya in a breathable muslin cloth before storing. This protects it from dust while allowing air circulation.

·         Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers. Synthetic packaging traps moisture and can cause mildew or colour transfer.

·         Refold periodically. If a saree sits folded in the same position for months, the fold lines can weaken the fabric. Refold along different lines every few months.

·         Keep away from direct light. Even in storage, prolonged light exposure fades dyes. Store in a drawer or a dark cupboard.

·         Add a neem sachet or lavender pouch to deter insects naturally. Avoid mothballs, which can leave chemical residue on delicate fabrics.

When to Dry Clean

For heavily embellished Leheriya sarees — those with gota patti, zari borders, or heavy embroidery — dry cleaning is the safer option. Water can loosen adhesive embellishments and cause metallic threads to tarnish.

For plain or lightly worked Leheriya cotton, hand washing at home is perfectly fine and actually gentler than most dry-cleaning processes.

A Note on Leheriya Sarees at Kharaa

Leheriya Sarees at Kharaa are crafted by master artisans based in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

·       They are handcrafted on cotton doria fabric using the traditional resist-dyeing method.

·       The fabric is used is 100% natural and pure. We do not use synthetics or blends.

·       The dye is fixed ie it does not run colour, hence you will notice minimal bleeding.

·       We advise you to handwash the saree in cold water using a mild detergent.

·       Do not wash it after every wear unless it is stained. Air drying suffices on most occasions.

·       Iron using on low-medium heat.

·       If you like the fabric to be stiff, you can starch the saree.

Shop Leheriya at Kharaa

If you're looking to add a Leheriya saree to your wardrobe, explore our handpicked collection — each piece is sourced directly from artisans in Rajasthan.

👉 Browse the Leheriya Collection

You might also love our collection of hand-embroidered blouse pieces that pair beautifully with our Leheriya:

Lambani Hand-embroidered Blouse Pieces

At Kharaa, we believe that caring for a handcrafted textile is an act of respect — for the artisan who made it, the tradition it carries, and the planet it came from. Wear it well, wash it gently, and it will last a lifetime.