Guide · Care
How to care for your caftan or takchita.
A hand-embroidered caftan is made to last for years — and often to be passed on. A few simple habits protect its fabric, its sfifa and its embroidery.
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Cleaning
- Prefer professional dry cleaning, especially for velvet, brocade and embroidered pieces.
- Never put a hand-embroidered caftan in the washing machine.
- Treat small stains quickly and gently, dabbing rather than rubbing.
- Ask the dry cleaner to protect the buttons, beads and embroidery.
Ironing
- Iron inside out, on a low setting, with a cloth between the iron and the fabric.
- Never iron directly over embroidery, beads or sfifa.
- For velvet, use steam without pressing.
Storing
- Hang the caftan on a wide, padded hanger, or fold heavily embroidered pieces flat with tissue paper.
- Keep it in a breathable cotton cover rather than plastic.
- Store it away from light and humidity.
- Keep the belt and the jewellery separately, so they do not catch the fabric.
Travelling with your caftan
Fold it inside out with tissue paper between the folds, and carry it in your cabin luggage if you can. Hang it as soon as you arrive and use steam to release the creases.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a caftan at home?
We advise against it for embroidered or delicate pieces: professional dry cleaning is safer for the fabric and the handwork.
How do I remove creases from velvet?
Use steam without pressing the iron on the fabric, and hang the piece to let the creases fall out.
How should I store a takchita between two weddings?
In a breathable cover, hung on a wide padded hanger or folded flat with tissue paper, away from light and humidity.
Should I store the belt with the caftan?
It is better to store it separately, wrapped in fabric, so that its metal parts do not mark or catch the fabric.
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