A good Banarasi saree, properly cared for, can last multiple generations. Many families in Varanasi still wear sarees that are 50–70 years old — the silk still lustrous, the zari still beautiful, the weave still intact.
Cleaning
Always dry clean a pure silk Banarasi saree. Do not wash it with water, even gently. Silk fibres weaken when wet. After wearing, air the saree in shade for two to three hours before folding and storing.
“Silk needs to breathe. Give it air and it will outlive you. Seal it in plastic and it will not outlive the year.”
Storage
Never store a Banarasi silk saree in a plastic bag. Use a muslin cloth or cotton bag instead. Fold the saree with the zari on the inside — this protects the metallic threads from catching dust and friction. Refold occasionally in a different direction to prevent permanent crease lines.
Protecting the zari
Zari tarnishes over time when exposed to air and moisture. Keep a small piece of camphor in the storage area — it absorbs moisture and slows tarnishing. Neem leaves serve the same purpose and also deter fabric pests.
Wearing
Apply perfume, deodorant, and hair spray before wearing the saree, and allow them to dry completely first. The alcohol in these products damages silk fibres and stains zari. For ironing, use a cool iron on the reverse side only, with a thin cloth as a buffer. Never iron directly on the zari side.