A quality abaya can last five years or lose its shape in six months. The difference almost never comes down to the purchase price: it comes down to four or five care habits. Here they are.
The basic principle: wash less, wash better
Washing is what wears a garment the most. An abaya worn a few hours over clean clothes usually does not need a full cycle.
Air it overnight on a hanger: in most cases, that is enough. Keep washing for real soiling or odours.
Washing: the rules by fabric
Nidha
The most tolerant. Machine at 30 °C, normal cycle, moderate spin (600 rpm maximum). It copes well with repetition.
Cupro and viscose
Delicate cycle at 30 °C, in a net bag, low spin. These fibres lose strength when wet — never wring them by hand.
Linen and linen blends
Machine at 30 °C. Linen becomes softer wash after wash: that is normal and desirable.
Medina silk and chiffon
Hand wash, cold water, mild soap. No prolonged soaking. Roll the piece in a towel to absorb the water, then dry flat.
Velvet and satin
Delicate cycle in a net bag, or professional cleaning for ceremony pieces. Never iron velvet flat: use steam, from a distance.
The five mistakes that damage the most
- The tumble dryer. It shrinks natural fibres and destroys the elasticity of jerseys. It is by far the leading cause of lost garments.
- Fabric softener on technical fabrics. It leaves a film that reduces breathability and makes scarves slip.
- High-speed spinning. It sets deep creases that are very hard to recover on fluid fabrics.
- Drying in full sun. It fades colours, especially blacks and deep shades.
- Washing with towels or denim. Rough fibres and zips catch and pull the threads.
Drying properly
Hang abayas on a wide hanger — a thin hanger creates two bumps at the shoulders that will never come out. Hang them while still damp: most creases will disappear on their own under the weight of the fabric.
Hijabs, for their part, dry flat or on a line, never folded in two over a drying rack: the fold mark becomes permanent on some fabrics.
Ironing safely
The universal rule: always inside out, always at low temperature. A thin cloth in between prevents any sheen.
For delicate fabrics and pleats, prefer vertical steam: hang the piece, pass the steamer a few centimetres away. A pleat ironed flat is a pleat lost.
Storing: what matters
Abayas are hung, always. Heavy pieces such as velvet can be folded flat so as not to stretch, but with tissue paper in the folds.
Hijabs are stored rolled rather than folded — it is the best way to avoid marks. Our article on storing hijabs details the method.
Avoid plastic covers: they stop the fabric breathing and encourage odours. Cotton is preferable.
Treating stains without making it worse
Act fast, but without rubbing: dab from the outside of the stain towards the centre, with a damp white cloth. Rubbing drives the stain in and damages the surface of the fabric.
Test any stain remover on an inside seam before applying it visibly. On silk and velvet, do not attempt anything yourself: entrust the piece to a professional.
The seasonal habits
Before storing a piece for several months, always wash it: invisible traces of perspiration attract moths and yellow over time. Then store in cotton, with a lavender or cedar sachet rather than a chemical product.
In summary
Air rather than wash, wash cold on a delicate cycle, forget the tumble dryer, dry on a wide hanger, store rolled or hung. Five habits, and your pieces last for years.
It is also what makes buying a fine fabric worthwhile: well cared for, a cupro or premium nidha abaya is worn hundreds of times. To understand fabrics before buying, read our guide.