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How to Take Care of Batik

    We believe that batik is a process which requires time, energy, and high sense of art to deliver one piece of batik fabric. Since it is an art piece, special treatments are required. You need to prepare special soap for batik called Jerak or baby shampoo, a washing machine, but it is optional and an iron. Pay attention to the following tips for washing batik.

    First, separate the darker-colored pieces from lighter-colored ones. Then, wash your batik with handwash method using special soap for batik or baby shampoo for best result. For dolls, wallets and bags, wash on the dirty area only. You may wash your batik with a washing machine, but select delicate or gentle cycle and use cold water. However, for the first phase of washing the fabric, please wash by hand.

    When washing, you also may not use chlorine bleach, strong detergents, or brighteners. These chemicals will destroy the wax of the batik. Of course, you don't want it happen to your precious batik. You have to remember that you also may not wring or twist the batik to squeeze out the water.

    After that, continue with drying process. For drying process, line drying is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight and hang to dry in a shady area inside out because the direct sunlight will damage your batik. When you use a machine dryer, it should be low heat setting and not over dry.

    Next, iron your batik. You should also pay attention when ironing. Use warm iron setting and iron them when still little damp for best result.

    Those are the tips for batik treatments, so you will have long lasting batik. That's quite easy to maintain your valuable batik. Have a try!

(Adopted from: http://www.sweetbatik.com/p/washing-instructions.html (April 2, 2020))

Why should we avoid direct sunlight and hang to dry in a shady area inside out?