Nowadays, batik fabric is extremely trending among people because it lasts for a long time as well as represents the old culture. Another thing that makes it highly attractive is its pattern, bright colors, shape, and texture. The appeal made of batik fabric can be worn on formal and informal occasions as well.
Beautiful batik cloth is renowned due to having qualities like intricate patterns and vivid colors. So if you think why so many individuals adore wearing batik apparel then the answer is obvious. But, caring for batik might be a little challenging if you are using it for the first time. It is suggested to read the full article as it will guide you through the process of caring for your new batik fabric so that its bright color would not fade in one wash.
In this article, we will discuss the best methods for keeping batik cloth lovely for years to come. So read the full article so that you don’t mess up while washing, drying, or ironing your batik fabric.
What does batik fabric mean?
Clothing described as “Batik” was made by brushing or stamping hot wax over specific portions of the fabric to block those regions out. The artisan of this fabric dyes the fabric after the wax has dried. Wax-coated components withstand dyeing and maintain their original color. Before being batiked, the fabric is frequently colored once, letting a complementary shade peek through the stamped or stenciled pattern or texture. All Mexicali Blues batik products are manufactured by hand in Bali, Indonesia, by skilled craftspeople who have been taught this age-old traditional craft by oral tradition. You might adore how each Balinese batik product is a one-of-a-kind work of art thanks to this process!
Qualities of Batik clothing
Since ancient times, people living in Indonesia have adorned themselves in batik-printed apparel. It is highly believed that Traditional clothing is robust and lasts for a long time. For modern people who generally go to the office or meetings, they are available in pants and skirts, to fit your dressing habits. And the best thing about the attire made of batik is that it can be worn both at formal events and on everyday occasions.
Another great benefit of buying Batik fabric is that it is resilient and may be worn for a long time if properly cared for, just like any other fabric. So if you properly take care of the attire made of batik fabric then your clothing expenses can get reduced.
Before being washed or dry cleaned, batiks must be cared for to preserve their color resistance and keep looking as brilliant as possible over time.
Why do you need certain care for your batik fabric?
Batik fabric is very similar to other types of cloth material but you cannot deny the fact that each pattern is distinct because of how it is constructed and the materials that are used to make the fabric.
Batik colors can occasionally be tricky to set as a result of their use of natural color processes. This is the reason it’s crucial to use additional caution at the time of washing and drying batik fabric.
It is always recommended that you should only wash batik fabric if required to maintain the beauty of the design, especially if the fabric that you are washing is a quality batik.
Ways or Methods to Take Care of Batik Fabric
Washing Batik fabric for the first time
- Stop batik fabric from bleeding
Before washing your batik cloth, soak it in cold water for 30 minutes which is an effective way to prevent bleeding of the batik. This will assist in setting the colors and stop them from fading so that they can give a new-like look even after washing. To help retain the colors you can also try adding a cup of vinegar to the soaking water.
When it’s time to wash your batik fabric, always use lukewarm water and mild detergent, as a hard detergent might ruin your cloth. Use cool water instead of using boiling water to prevent the colors of the fabric from fading.
- Another method to stop batik fabric from bleeding
One way to prevent your batik fabric from bleeding is that you can put it in vinegar for about 30 minutes to stop bleeding. Another quite simple method is that you may also try putting a cup of salt in the water for the soaking.
Another way is to use Retayne as it is a color fixative that aids in preserving the fabric’s natural hues. While washing your batik, you can simply add a cup of Retayne to the washing machine and your batik fabric will not lose its color.
- Washing batik fabric by using gentle detergents
Batik is a smooth-surfaced, delicate fabric that needs to be handled with care and this is the reason it is always recommended to use a gentle detergent to wash it. So for washing the batik cloth use gentle detergents like dishwashing liquid or gentle soap, soaking it in cold water is necessary to retain its color.
Moreover, you should avoid washing with harsh detergents, brighteners, or chlorine bleach for washing your batik fabric.
Special treatment for fine handmade batik
In Indonesia, fine batik which is mainly pricey hand-written batik is washed with leak fruit, which is available at most traditional markets in the country. This Little, dark fruit with tender white flesh is called lerak which is beneficial in many ways for batik fabric. First, the lerak is crushed and its water is used to wash the batik as a specific soap.
According to our sources, it claims that using this technique makes the colors on the batik more vibrant and won’t fade for a long time. At batik shops, you can also buy this detergent in bottles in the traditional Indonesian markets.
- Do not wash with other clothes
It’s crucial to avoid combining batik with other garments when washing it. You need a special container made exclusively for this use to prevent color fading and keep your favorite garments looking good for longer than normal!
Sort the pieces by color, separating the darker from the lighter. To prevent it from being destroyed, make sure to immerse all of your colored cloth in the water. If the colors are mixed, this will take place.
- No washing machine
For fabrics like batik, The greatest method for avoiding these risks is hand washing. By Hand washing, you can prevent the batik fabric color from fading too rapidly.
However, if you do not have time to hand wash your batik fabric and you wish to machine wash your batik appeal then it is also possible. Moreover, you do not need to worry that your fabric will fade its color if you follow a few simple steps while washing it in the machine. All you need to do to prevent the cloth from being harmed while washing it in the washing machine is to use a moderate cycle and a light or mild detergent.
Ways to Drying the Batik Fabric
- Do not squeeze before drying
It is crucial to hang the fabric on a clothesline to dry the batik after it has been rinsed. The cloth will last longer and the quality will be preserved as a result.
The fabric used to create batiks is fragile and should not be folded. Shake your batik before drying it to prevent the cloth from folding in on itself. So it is recommended to refrain from squeezing the dried batik fabric.
- No drying in the sun
Do sun-drying clothes fade?
Direct sunlight is not advised for batik clothing drying. As you are aware, drying clothing in the sun will cause the fabric’s color to fade.
How to dry your batik?
Let the batik dry in a shaded area and then spread it out to finish drying to prevent the batik from fading. This is a fantastic method for preventing the batik’s colors from fading.
- No direct ironing
Does ironing fade clothes?
The colors in batik can also fade when ironed. That is so that the colors won’t bleed when the iron is heated.
How to iron your batik?
The easiest way to maintain the appearance of your batik is to iron it from the inside out using the lowest to the warm iron setting.
However, it is suggested to Avoid directly ironing batik fabric if at all possible. But if you do, be careful to use paper or anything that won’t rip the batik cloth. Or the other way to unwrinkle the batik, you can also apply fabric softener.
Some other things that are necessary to remember
There are some other things that you should know about batik fabric so that you can make the best use of it:
- Avoid using perfume
Avoid using perfume when wearing batik cloth. This is because fragrance contains alcohol which can damage the fiber and color of batik, especially batik made from silk and natural dyes.
- Ways to store batik
Put the cloth in a plastic bag if it is not in use. In such a case, moths won’t consume it. Moreover, if you store batik fabric in a closet, stay away from using mothballs because camphor might harm the fabric.
Your batik should be kept in a cabinet or another secure location, such as a shelf that is high up. To keep moths away, wrap some pepper around the object. Vetiver is also beneficial, but you must first dry it before storing it with your clothes.
Ways to Prevent Shrinkage of Batik
The given below are a few things that you can follow to stop your batik cloth from shrinking:
- Pre-wash batik fabric
Prewash your batik before using it to stop it from shrinking as this will make the fabric softer and extract any extra batik dye.
When initially cleaning batik, use warm water and a gentle detergent. The colors will bleed if you wet the cloth in water for an extended time so it is recommended not to do so. After that, give the material a cold washing to get rid of extra dryness.
Prewashing and pre-shrinking your fabric before stitching is time well spent to prevent mistakes in the finished quilt or other batik crafts. After pre-washing your cloth, you can either air dry it or dry it on a low heat setting.
- Wash in cold water
Washing your batik fabric in cold water is one method for keeping it in good condition. This will stop the fabric from shrinking and aid in the color settling.
- Dry in a low-heat setting
Drying your batik cloth at a low temperature is an additional alternative. If you don’t want to take the chance of it shrinking, you may alternatively air-dry your batik fabric.
- Reactive Dyes
Natural processes like oxidation and washing cause batik to shrink. Reactive dyes are an option since they react with the fabric when exposed to water or sunlight.
It shrinks slightly even after using reactive dyes because of biological coloring processes. The reactive dye employed by makers of batiks is not completely successful in preventing shrinkage.
To lower the possibility of shrinkage, other techniques including the use of baking soda and water-soluble colors should be used.
How to prevent the bright batik clothes from fading?
If you don’t want the bright color of your batik cloth faded just after one wash then there are a few ways you can try at the time of washing it. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent your batik fabric from fading:
- If you’re washing your bright batik garments in the machine, start by using cold water and the delicate cycle so that the colors of the fabric won’t fade as a result of this.
- Second, as an alternative to washing things, try soaking your colorful clothing in vinegar for around 30 minutes. The colors will be better set and won’t fade for a long time.
- Another thing that you can try to retain the color of batik clothes is to hang them dry in the shade rather than in the sun. Hanging your clothes in the shadow will help keep their vibrant shades because sunlight can fade colors.
- Finally, when keeping them, keep your bright clothing out of direct sunlight. Sunshine can cause colors to deteriorate over time, so keeping your clothing in a dark, cool location will help it retain its vibrancy.
The Final Words
If you want to machine wash your batiked garment, the best course of action is to add a small amount of mild detergent, choose the delicate cycle, and set the temperature to cold. Your batik clothes should be kept apart from your other apparel to avoid any unwanted color running situations. After washing, be sure to air dry!
Using mild detergents and cold water, drying the materials in the sun, and other methods are just a few of the techniques to care for batik. However, it is necessary to know the process of these techniques so that your batik fabric can retain for a long time.
We sincerely hope that this article about batik care was helpful. Your batik fabric’s beauty will last for years if you take good care of it.
FAQs about batik clothing
1. Do batik fabrics shrink?
Ans. As they are made from natural materials, batik textiles do shrink slightly. Wash your batik fabric before using it to prevent this.
2. Are batiks colorfast?
Ans. All batiks may not be colorfast but you should choose a batik cloth that has been prewashed and is ensured to be colorfast when using it for a project.
3. Can you dry batik fabric in the dryer?
Ans. Yes, you are allowed to tumble dry batik fabric in a machine. Although, To avoid harming the fabric it is recommended to use a low-heat setting.
4. Does batik fabric soften after washing?
Ans. True, batik fabric typically becomes softer after washing. If your batik fabric is still stiff after washing, try using a batik fabric which is a relative softener.
5. Does sun drying of batik fabric result in faded clothes?
Ans. Indeed, fabrics like batik eventually fade in when dried in the sun. The sun’s UV rays can degrade the colors in your clothing, causing them to fade over time. Because of this, it’s crucial to fold or hang your clothing in the shade to protect it from the sun.