How to clean Indian Shisha embroidery

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the cleaning of authentic Gujarati Indian decorative cloths, specifically addressing concerns about preserving the integrity of the embroidery while removing oil residue and general dirt. Participants explore various cleaning methods, including hand washing and dry cleaning, and consider the implications of color fastness and material shrinkage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about potentially ruining the cloth or embroidery through cleaning, particularly regarding color fastness and the effects of washing on the material.
  • Another suggests that the safety of the yarns is crucial and mentions the issue of material puckering after drying due to uneven shrinkage.
  • A participant raises the possibility of dry cleaning as an alternative method, questioning its effectiveness.
  • Advice is given to consult a professional cleaner, emphasizing the importance of finding a trusted service to avoid damage.
  • One participant recommends seeking advice from individuals familiar with traditional Indian textiles, suggesting that traditional cleaning methods might involve using fullers Earth and sunlight instead of liquids.
  • Another participant suggests consulting an antiquities expert for guidance, although the cloths are not antiques.
  • The original poster mentions the cloths were gifts and expresses intent to find local Indian dry cleaners for further advice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various concerns and suggestions regarding cleaning methods, but no consensus is reached on the best approach. Multiple competing views on cleaning techniques and their potential effects remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the age and value of the cloths, as well as the specific materials and dyes used, which may influence cleaning methods. There is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of different cleaning approaches and their potential impact on the embroidery.

Monique
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I have two authentic Gujarati Indian decorative cloths that need some cleaning. One has oil residue from being located in the kitchen, the other could use a cleaning all-together.

I wonder, will I ruin the cloth or the embroidery by cleaning it?

Here you can see an example of the elaborate nature of the embroidery (not mine):
gujrati-embroidered-elephants-and-colorful-birds-HF96_l.jpg


The design of mine is similar, but then the cloth is a circle with elephants, parrots, peacocks and flowers with mirrors at the center (and more delicate/refined than the one above, which looks like a cheap fabrication). Anyone here with experience? :smile:
 
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It would depend on if the yarns are all color safe. I'd hate to give advice not knowing.

One problem I find with washing such things is that the material tends to pucker after drying since the background material and embroidered areas don't shrink uniformly. When I used to do embroidery, I would wash and dry the material first in order to pre-shrink the material. You can try wetting and drying a small test area and see what the results are.
 
Yeah, the color fastness was worrying me as well.. especially since the background is white. I would only wash it in cold water by hand, but still..

Would dry-cleaning make sense?
 
A professional cleaner might know the best way, but take it to one you trust. I've had things ruined by cleaners.

Your cloth sounds awesome. Good luck with it.
 
I would ask somebody from the subcontinent, if you know any students, work colleages, etc from there. Traditional Indian (using the term loosely) clothes probably have the same types of dyes, and they will need regular cleaning!

If this is made from genuinely "traditional" materials, the answer might be something like fullers Earth to absorb the oil and grease (and any other surface dirt), and tropical sunlight to bleach the white background. No liquids required. But that's just a guess, and the sunlight where you are might not be tropical enough!
 
All good advice.
You haven't mentioned how old this thing is or what it might be worth. I would be inclined to approach an antiquities expert at a museum or art gallery. I can't imagine one charging for a simple opinion.
 
The cloths used to be part of an Indian household and were a gift to me, they sure aren't antiques. I can have a spot around the city to see if there are any Indian dry cleaners who can give advice.