Care Guide: How to Wash and Maintain Your African Fabrics

How to Care for Your African Fabrics?

A guide to washing and maintaining your KOLINGA treasures

At Kolinga, we take pride in our handmade creations crafted with vibrant, 100% traditional African fabrics. These pieces bring colour and culture to your daily life-and they deserve proper care to preserve their beauty and quality.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps for washing and maintaining your African fabric treasures-so you can enjoy them for years to come.

1. Hand-washing Method

For safe and gentle care, follow these steps:

  • Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent suitable for delicate fabrics.
  • Gently immerse the item and move it around-do not rub or wring.
  • Let it soak for a few minutes so the detergent penetrates the fibers.
  • Rinse thoroughly with cold water until no soap residue remains.
  • Gently press out excess water (no wringing!) and reshape if needed.
  • Lay the item flat on a clean towel and roll gently to absorb moisture.
  • Air dry away from direct sunlight in a well-ventilated area.

2. Machine-washing Method

Prefer using a machine? Follow these guidelines:

  • Turn the item inside-out to protect prints and details.
  • Place in a laundry bag to prevent stretching or snagging. Wash similar colours together.
  • Use a gentle cycle (hand-wash or delicate at 30°C with low spin).
  • Use a mild liquid detergent without bleach, designed for coloured or delicate fabrics.
  • Remove the item immediately when the cycle finishes.
  • Reshape while damp if necessary and lay flat to dry away from sunlight.

3. Ironing & Storage

When dry, iron at medium heat using a press cloth to protect prints and embellishments. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to keep the colours vibrant longer.

How to remove stains?

For stain removal, we recommend hand washing. Depending on the type of stain, there are specific techniques that, when combined with hand washing, yield great results:

1.  Wine stain:

Dab with warm, soapy water with a few drops of lemon juice. Rinse and wash.

2.  Mud stain:

Apply soapy water with a little white vinegar, rub gently.

3.  Blood stain:

Soak in cold water, press gently, then dab with 70% alcohol before rinsing and washing.

After washing, dry away from sun. Hang garments rather than lay flat to prevent fading.

Conclusion:

Proper care ensures you’ll enjoy your KOLINGA treasures for years. Whether you choose hand-washing or a gentle machine cycle, always follow these tips to preserve colour, shape and quality.

Got questions about caring for your African fabrics? Feel free to reach out-I'm happy to help!

Key tips:

  • Wash inside-out at 30°C on a delicate cycle.
  • Avoid powdered detergents and harsh cleaners.
  • Never tumble-dry our products!