How to Care for Your African Textiles — The Fabric Care Guide
Your TETSO pieces were handcrafted by artisans across Africa. The fabrics were sourced with care, the colors chosen with intention, and the construction done by hand. Proper care ensures these pieces stay as vibrant and beautiful as the day they arrived at your door. This guide covers everything you need to know.The Golden Rule
Before anything else, understand this: cold water is your best friend, and heat is the enemy. Nearly every care mistake comes from hot water, hot dryers, or extreme direct sunlight. Best sunlight is around 6am-11am and 3pm-6pm. If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember: cold wash, air dry, light shade if possible.
Washing
Water temperature: Cold, always. Heat opens fibers and can release dye, especially in hand-dyed pieces.
First two washes: Wash new pieces alone or with similar dark colors only. Hand-dyed fabrics (tie-dye, batik, indigo) will release some excess dye in the first few washes. This is completely normal — the dye is setting, not fading. After 2-3 washes, the color stabilizes.
By hand (recommended): Fill a basin with cold water, add a small amount of mild detergent (pH-neutral, no bleach, no biological powder). Submerge the garment, gently agitate or scrub for a few minutes, then rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
By machine: Use the delicate or hand-wash cycle at 30°C maximum. Turn garments inside out before washing. Use a mesh laundry bag for delicate pieces like lace or chiffon.
What to avoid: Never use bleach. Never use biological detergent (the enzymes can break down natural dyes). Never soak for extended periods — prolonged soaking can cause dye migration.
Drying
Air dry, always. Lay flat on a clean, dry towel or hang on a clothesline. This is the single best thing you can do for your garments.
Never wring. Wringing distorts the fabric and can crack wax-print patterns. Instead, press water out gently by rolling the garment in a dry towel.
Never dry in direct sunlight. UV light fades dye — even high-quality, fiber-reactive dyes will lose vibrancy over time with sun exposure. Dry in light shade.
Tumble dryer: Avoid whenever possible. If you must, use the lowest heat setting and remove while still slightly damp. High heat shrinks cotton and can permanently damage hand-dyed colors.
Heavy fabrics: Don’t hang heavy wet kente or thick cotton from a single point — the weight will stretch the fabric. Lay flat instead.
Ironing
Iron on the reverse side. Always flip the garment inside out before ironing. This protects the printed or dyed face from direct heat.
Medium heat only. Cotton and Ankara can handle medium heat. Lace, chiffon, and rayon need low heat.
Use a pressing cloth. If you must iron the face side directly, place a clean damp cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric.
Never iron damp hand-dyed fabric. The moisture can cause dye to transfer to your ironing board or iron. Let the garment dry fully first.
Steam: Steaming is a gentler alternative to ironing and works well for removing wrinkles from delicate fabrics without direct contact.
Storage
Fold, don’t hang long-term. Hanging heavy African fabrics (especially kente and thick cotton) over time can cause stretching and distortion at the shoulders.
Store away from light. Even indoor light can gradually fade dyes over months. Keep garments in a closet or drawer, not displayed on open racks near windows.
Keep away from perfume and body spray. Alcohol-based fragrances can lift dye permanently, leaving discolored spots. Apply perfume to your skin before dressing, not after.
For long-term storage: Wrap in acid-free tissue paper or clean cotton muslin. Avoid plastic bags — they trap moisture and can cause mildew in humid climates.
Cedar or lavender sachets are a natural, chemical-free way to keep moths and mustiness away from stored garments.
Fabric Specific Care Notes
Ankara Wax Print: The most durable of our fabrics. Colors are set during the wax-resist printing process, so fading is minimal. Cold wash, medium iron on reverse. Very forgiving and easy to care for.
Kente: Dry clean is ideal for authentic handwoven kente. If hand washing, use cold water and a very mild detergent. Never wring. Lay flat to dry. Store folded, never on hangers.
Tie-Dye / Batik (Adire): Wash alone for the first 2-3 washes. Cold water only. The organic patterns will soften beautifully over time — this is the fabric aging as intended, not deteriorating.
Raw Cotton: The easiest to care for. Machine washable on gentle cycle, cold water. Gets softer with every wash. Air dry for best results.
Lace: Hand wash only. Cold water, mild detergent. Never wring — press water out in a towel. Lay flat to dry. Iron on reverse with a pressing cloth.
100% Linen: Cold wash, easy care — linen is durable and forgiving. It softens beautifully with each wash. Don’t fight the natural wrinkles — they’re part of linen’s character. Iron while slightly damp for a crisper finish. Air dry flat or on a line. Machine washable on gentle cycle.
Silk: Dry clean is the safest option. If hand washing, use cold water with a silk-specific or very mild detergent. Never wring or twist. Press water out gently in a towel. Air dry flat away from sunlight. Iron on the lowest setting on the reverse side while slightly damp, or use a steamer. Never spray perfume directly onto silk — it stains permanently.
Satin: Hand wash cold with mild detergent, or dry clean. Never wring — the weave can distort and lose its sheen. Air dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight. Iron on the reverse side only at low heat to protect the glossy surface. Store folded in tissue paper to prevent creasing and snagging from other fabrics.
Chiffon: The most delicate fabric in our collection — treat it with extra care. Hand wash only in cold water with very mild detergent and minimal agitation. Never wring or twist. Lay flat on a towel to dry. Iron on the lowest setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and fabric. Alternatively, hang in a steamy bathroom to release wrinkles naturally. Store hanging to avoid permanent creasing.
Beaded Sandals and Leather: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Do not submerge in water. Keep away from direct heat. Condition leather periodically with a natural leather balm. Store in a cool, dry place.
Glass Bead Jewelry: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. Avoid contact with water, perfume, and lotions. Store in a fabric pouch or jewelry box to prevent tangling and scratching.
The Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
Water temperature → Cold, alwaysFirst wash → Alone or with similar colorsDetergent → Mild, pH-neutral, liquid. No bleach.Machine wash → Delicate cycle, 30°C maxHand wash → Always the safest optionTumble dry → Avoid. Air dry in shade.Direct sunlight → Never. Fades color.Iron → Reverse side, medium heatWring → Never. Press gently instead.Perfume contact → Avoid. Can lift dye permanently.Soaking → Never for extended periodsStorage → Fold, dark closet, away from perfumeQuestions About Caring for Your Pieces?
We’re here to help. Whether you spilled something on your favorite Ankara dress or you’re not sure how to store your kente, reach out and we’ll walk you through it.