Care Guide

So you’ve got your hands on this beautiful piece of Batik garment that you absolutely love and you want it to last. Fear not, because, with the right care, Batik pieces can last for decades. It is not uncommon for Batik to be an heirloom piece, passed down from generation to generation. We’ve got a few tips up our sleeve to maintain your Batik so that you can enjoy it for many years. But before we let you in on that, we want to share a little bit about the types of fabric used to make Batik and how artisans dyed the Batiks.

Silk and cotton are two of the most common fabrics to use in Batik making, also one of the first. Nowadays, you can find Batik made from Mori, rayon, polyester, and Serat Nanas (a fabric made of pineapple leaves).

Rayon fabric

Serat Nanas fabric

There are two ways of Batik dyeing; either dipping the waxed cloth into dye or applying it onto the fabric with rattan or brush, similar to painting. This technique is called coletan.

Coletan technique

Turmeric, Indigo, Jalawe, Mangosteen, Secang, Tegeran, and Shallots are well-known for having beautiful results when used to dye Batik. Whilst synthetic dyes are Naphthol, Indigosol, Remasol, Rapid and Substantive. At Red Thread, we use Oeko Tex 100 certified Remazol® Fiber Reactive Dyes by Dystarl. This certification means it is an eco-friendly dye.As a thumb rule, we always suggest washing your batik piece by hand with room temperature water.

Use a tiny amount of gentle detergent (Lerak is preferable), soak for 15 minutes, rinse, then hang dry under the shade. When handling Batik pieces made from silk and naturally dyed, sending it to the dry cleaner is the safest way.

Lerak fruits

Akar Wangi

General Washing Instructions for Batik Fabrics

Proper care is essential to maintaining the vibrant colors and longevity of Batik fabrics. Follow these washing guidelines to preserve the beauty and quality of your garments, especially when made with Lyocell, Rayon, or Cotton blends.

1. General Batik Washing Guidelines

✔ Wash Batik garments separately for the first few washes to prevent color bleeding.
✔ Use mild, pH-neutral detergents free from bleach and harsh chemicals.
✔ Hand washing is preferred, but if using a machine, select a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water.
✔ Avoid scrubbing or wringing the fabric to prevent damage to the dye and fibers.
✔ Dry garments in the shade to prevent sun damage and color fading.

2. Washing Batik with Lyocell

✔ Use cold water (30°C or below) to prevent shrinkage and fading.
✔ Hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle to maintain the softness of the fabric.
✔ Avoid fabric softeners, as they can weaken Lyocell fibers.
✔ Air dry flat in a shaded area to prevent wrinkles and distortion.

3. Washing Batik with Rayon

✔ Hand wash in cold water using a mild detergent.
✔ If machine washing, use a mesh laundry bag and a delicate cycle.
✔ Do not wring or twist Rayon Batik to avoid fiber damage.
✔ Lay flat to dry or hang in a shaded area; avoid tumble drying.

4. Washing Batik with Cotton

✔ Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water to retain print vibrancy.
✔ If using a machine, select a gentle cycle with similar colors.
✔ Avoid harsh detergents and bleach, as they can fade Batik patterns.
✔ Air drying in the shade is best; tumble drying is not recommended.
✔ Iron inside out on medium heat to protect the design.

5. Bulk Washing for Wholesale Batik Uniforms

For businesses washing Batik uniforms in high volumes and regularly, follow these guidelines:
✔ Use commercial front-load washing machines on a delicate cycle to minimize wear.
✔ Always wash in cold or lukewarm water (max 30°C) to prevent fading.
✔ Use eco-friendly, non-bleach detergents designed for delicate fabrics.
✔ Pre-soak in cold water with mild detergent if garments are heavily soiled.
✔ Air drying is preferred, but if tumble drying is necessary, use a low-heat setting.
✔ Steam instead of ironing to maintain fabric integrity.