The first wash is the one that matters
New shweshwe carries manufacturing starch and excess dye, and both come out the first time it meets water. This is normal and it is not a sign of poor quality — it is a characteristic of how the fabric is made.
Wash it on its own in cold water the first time. Not with a light-coloured load, and not with anything you care about, because indigo in particular will release colour. Some people add a little salt or vinegar to the first wash to help set the dye, which does no harm.
Expect the piece to shrink somewhat and to feel completely different afterwards — softer, more flexible, more comfortable. That transformation is the fabric becoming what it is meant to be.
Caring for a shweshwe piece
- Wash the first time separately, in cold water
- Turn garments inside out to protect the printed surface
- Use a mild detergent — avoid bleach entirely
- Dry in shade rather than direct sun to preserve colour
- Iron while slightly damp for the crispest finish
- Wash less often than you think — cotton benefits from airing
- Store folded and dry rather than in plastic
Why shade drying matters in Cape Town
Cape Town sun is harsh on textiles, and shweshwe's traditional colours — indigo especially — fade faster in direct sunlight than most fabrics.
Drying in shade or indoors adds very little time and makes a visible difference over a few years of ownership. For a handmade piece that was expensive in either money or meaning, it is worth the small inconvenience.
The same applies to storage. A piece kept in a sunlit room will fade on the exposed side even without being worn.
Common questions
Will my shweshwe piece shrink?
Yes, on the first wash, which is why fabric should always be washed before it is cut and sewn. A finished piece from us has already been through that, so it will not shrink significantly on you.
Can I machine wash it?
Yes, on a cold gentle cycle. Hand washing is kinder for anything with detailing or hand-finished edges, but the fabric itself handles a machine perfectly well.
How do I get the creases out?
Iron it while slightly damp on a medium to hot setting. Cotton takes an iron well and shweshwe holds a crisp finish beautifully — it is one of the pleasures of the fabric.