A good silk saree is an investment, and like any investment it rewards attention. The difference between a saree that fades in five years and one that is passed to a daughter is almost entirely in how it is kept.

Start with storage. Silk needs to breathe, so never store it in a plastic cover or a polythene bag — trapped moisture is what causes those yellow patches. Wrap each saree in a soft cotton or muslin cloth instead. Keep it away from direct sunlight, which drains colour faster than any wash.

Refold your sarees every three to four months. Zari cracks along a fold that has been sitting in the same place for a year, and once it cracks it cannot be repaired. Changing the fold line spreads the stress and keeps the metal thread intact.

Never hang a heavy silk on a thin hanger for long periods. The weight pulls the fabric out of shape at the shoulder and leaves a permanent sag.

For cleaning, dry cleaning is the safest route for pure silk and anything with real zari — and a first dry clean before long-term storage matters, because invisible sweat and food traces oxidise into stains over months. If a small spill happens, blot it immediately with a dry cloth. Do not rub, and do not use water on zari.

Iron on the lowest setting with a cotton cloth between the iron and the silk, or better still, steam the saree while it hangs. Direct heat flattens the sheen that makes silk worth wearing.

One last habit: keep a few sachets of dried neem leaves or silica in the shelf, never naphthalene balls directly touching the fabric. Your saree will thank you in twenty years.