Hand block printed cotton is made to be lived in. With the right care, your Rooh dresses, pyjamas, and quilts will hold their colour and character over time - becoming softer and more beautiful with wear.
This guide covers how to wash and care for block printed fabric, without fading the colour or damaging the print. Having grown up around these textiles in India, this is simply how I’ve always cared for them at home.
Understanding Block Printed Cotton
Hand block printing is one of the oldest textile techniques in the world.
Each colour is printed separately using hand-carved blocks, with the fabric dyed, dried, and reprinted in stages. The dyes used are often natural or low-impact, which gives the fabric its distinctive look and feel.
This process creates a textile that is softer and more individual - but also a little more delicate. You might notice
- Slight variations in print or colour
- A little colour release in early washes
- A softer, more lived-in finish
These are all perfectly normal characteristics of block printed pieces.
Explore Our Block Print Sleepwear
First things first - don’t panic about colour
If you notice a little colour in the water during the first few washes, that’s completely normal. Because these fabrics are printed using traditional dyes, a small amount of excess dye can release initially - particularly with deeper shades like indigo and red.
If you’d like to be extra careful, you can soak your garment in cold water with a little salt and mild detergent before the first wash. This can help set the colour and reduce colour transfer.
It’s also best to wash darker pieces separately, or with similar colours, especially in the first few washes.
Washing - keep it gentle
The key is to keep things simple.
- Wash in cold water or at 30°C
- Use a mild, non-bio detergent
- Wash with similar colours
- Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals
Hand washing is ideal, but a delicate machine cycle works perfectly well for everyday use. Avoid scrubbing, twisting, or wringing the fabric - it helps preserve both colour and print.
Drying - let it breathe
Block printed cotton is best air dried.
- Do not tumble dry (the cotton may shrink)
- Gently press out excess water
- Dry naturally, ideally away from direct sunlight
Strong sunlight can fade colours over time, so drying in the shade helps maintain the richness of the print.
Ironing
- Use a medium heat
- Iron on the reverse side
This helps protect the print and keeps the fabric looking its best.
Explore our block print womenswear
Caring for your hand block printed quilt
Our quilts are made from 100% cotton - both the outer fabric and the hand-filled inner layer.
- Wash on a delicate cycle at 30°C or below, or hand wash
- Use a mild, non-bio detergent
- Do not tumble dry
To keep your quilt fresh, we recommend airing it outdoors regularly and washing only when needed.
Explore our block print cotton quilts
Quick care summary
- Wash at 30°C or below
- Use mild detergent
- Wash with similar colours
- Do not tumble dry
- Air dry in the shade
- Iron on reverse
Made to be used and lived in
At Rooh, we don’t believe in saving things for best.
These are pieces to wear on slow mornings, pack for holidays, throw on after long days, and reach for again and again.
With a little care, your block printed pieces will hold their colour and character for years to come - becoming softer, more beautiful, and truly part of your everyday.
Questions?
If you have specific questions about how to care for your Rooh pieces, please email us at hello@roohlondon.co.uk. We are always happy to help.
