When it comes to handwoven Kente Cloth, one seldom hears about the care instructions that should accompany such delicately handwoven fabrics. Growing up, we heard the elders say Kente should not be treated like ordinary cloth. It was not to be washed often because in doing so, one would run the risk of reduced quality, shrinkage and a reduced lifespan of the cloth. The generations ahead preferred to air dry their Kente, occasionally choosing to hand wash when push came to shove. That was how handwoven Kente was maintained and in some cases, continues to date. However this idea can be quite difficult for those of us so accustomed to throwing everything into the washing machine - directed by care labels and washing instructions. One cannot benefit from this privilege when you decide to invest in handwoven cloth, be it Kente or any other cloth for that matter. There are no wash labels or care instructions so what do you do in this case? How do you handle, treat or maintain your newly acquired Kente Cloth, once the traditional wedding day is over?
Firstly, one can only give care instructions when they are aware of the choice of yarns or combination of threads used in the construction of said Kente in the first place. The fibre behaviour of yarns have a direct correlation on the behaviour and function of a cloth, be it soft and silky, or coarse and rigid. Unfortunately many weavers are not privy to such information and often select yarns based on colour, availability, thickness, texture, design and general aesthetics. Where new Kente design are churned out by the droves, care instructions are often lost to the end user as the composition of each Kente differs from cloth to cloth. Unaware of the specific yarns and fibres used in the construction of your Kente cloth makes it difficult to provide tailored advice on care instructions. So, if you’re unsure about what’s in your handwoven Kente Cloth, here are some guidelines for durability and longevity:
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Handwash - Delicately hand washing your Kente Cloth remains one of the oldest method of cloth preservation. Some washing powder and warm water goes a long way in keeping your cloth looking clean and fresh which also contributes to cloth durability. Add a dash of fabric conditioner as this may help to protect against colour fading whilst leaving your cloth soft to touch, and freshly scented. Fabric conditioner also contributes to smoother fibres which can make your Kente easier to iron and help protect from bobbling in the long run.
Dry cleaning - If you’re not too confident about hand washing Kente cloth at home, or you just want to be on the safer side, a trip to the dry cleaners is always recommended. Let the professionals take care of it because unlike hand washing, the method of dry cleaning uses solvents to remove soils and stains. This helps to dissolve grease and oils in a way water does not. Kente is typically woven using yarns such as cotton, silk, wool, polyester or rayon so if your Kente is woven with natural fibres like wool and silk, then dry cleaning may be your best option. By choosing dry cleaning, you may be able to avoid the risk of cloth shrinkage, distortion and loss of colour as may be the case when washed in water. This, may offer an insight as to why some elders prefer to abstain from washing their handwoven Kente altogether, often preferring to air dry their cloth instead.
Iron with low to medium heat - Always iron with low to medium heat to avoid destroying your handwoven Kente Cloth. If you need to turn up the heat, iron your cloth inside out and always start by testing out a small patch first. Irons work better than steamers when it comes to bulkier, stiffer fabrics like Kente. While steamers can be used, irons are often preferred because of its ability to provide a clean and crisp finishing. Ironing your Kente Cloth can also be more efficient due to fibre durability and thickness of weave structure.
Steam - Steaming has its perks too because you can avoid direct heat and minimise risk of burning your Kente Cloth when you choose the steaming method. It’s particularly great if you’re unsure about the fibre composition of your brand new Kente Cloth because steamers only use steam to relax materials and remove creases. This is particularly important as new Kente designs are often woven using synthetic fibres such as polyester, rayon and lurex yarns which are known to burn easily when in direct contact with hot metal plates of an iron.
Handle with care - Lastly, remember that genuine Kente Cloth is delicately handwoven here at Kente Kingdom, so always handle with care. Try any of these methods and let us know which one works best for you. .
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Disclaimer: The contents of this article are guidelines and are provided for general information purposes only. We do not take any responsibility for personal interpretation and/ or actions that may arise as a result of information disclosed in this blog article.