Frequently Asked Questions

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Short answer: YES!

Why pre-wash?

• In the old days all cotton textiles were coated with a starch solution to protect the fibres from rot, bugs and vermin. 
• Shweshwe is a heritage product still made the same way as in the industrial revolution.
• Shweshwe requires a pre-wash before cutting and sewing.

• Soak your Shweshwe fabric in warm water and hang it out to dry: plain and simple. 
• The sizing is water-soluble and will dissolve in warm water.
• No detergents or washing machine required. 
• If you choose to use the washing machine, it may be better to serge the edges of the fabric to reduce fraying from the agitation of the machine.

• If you choose, you may do a subsequent rinse in lukewarm salty water to fix the colour of indigo prints.
• You may use Colour Catcher sheets with Shweshwe.

• All fabrics with sizing shrink when they are pre-washed. 
• The sizing coats the weave and when the sizing dissolves out, the weave settles and becomes stable in its new state.
• Average shrinkage:  Warp – 9.5%  Weft – 0.7%

 Standard wash and care suggestions:

1.  Wash separately

2.  40 degree Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) wash

3.  Do not bleach

4.  Do not use dryer

5.  Do not dry clean

6.  Warm iron