SUKUMO INDIGO CARE

How to care for items dyed with natural indigo

Since ancient times the people of Japan preferred to be clothed in natural indigo, which was considered good for the skin and body, as the pigment and components of natural indigo possess a strong alkalinity which inhibits microbial growth. We recommend the following care and handling to keep dyed items in the best possible condition when used regularly over a period of time.

Washing/rinsing recommendations

Before use, do one rinse in cold water at home. This may reveal a clearer, more vivid shade of indigo, by removing any lye (an ingredient with a yellowish tinge) which still remains after the final rinses at the dye workshop.Please take care, as indigo dye may bleed, depending on the temperature and quality of the water, and the tub or washing machine used for rinsing may be stained with blue. If the tub is stained with blue, please do not worry, as the stain can almost always be removed with detergent. However, in some cases, such as where the tub itself is scratched or cracked, it is possible that the blue tinge may not be removed completely, so your understanding is appreciated. When washing by hand, hands may also become tinged with blue, which can be removed by washing with soap. However, it may be more difficult to remove the blue tinge from fingernails; if this is a concern, we recommend wearing rubber gloves.

Everyday washing

Natural indigo has antimicrobial properties as mentioned above; initially a rinse with water in the manner specified above should be sufficient after wearing (for the first 4 or 5 times). If the garment has absorbed a lot of perspiration or is very dirty, please use a small amount or a mild, well-diluted solution of laundry detergent (of a neutral pH). However, if laundry detergent is used, the pigment and components of the indigo surface will gradually be worn away (wash off). In addition, if the temperature of the water is warm, the indigo pigment/components will bleed easily. As a result, if indigo items are washed together with white or light-coloured fabrics, a faint indigo tinge may be transferred to them, so please make sure to wash indigo separately, not with white or light-coloured fabrics.

Drying after washing

Natural indigo dye can easily fade when exposed to light, such as direct sunlight or artificial light sources, as it is not lightfast. Therefore, when drying after washing or rinsing, we recommend drying in the shade in a well-ventilated area so that the original indigo hue will last longer. If drying garment in the sun, we recommend turning it inside out to dry.

Storage

As mentioned previously, natural indigo is not lightfast. If it is constantly exposed to light from the same direction, the part exposed will fade/lose its colour. If garment is kept in a closet, please turn it inside out to fold or hang on a hanger. It is also a good idea to wrap or cover garment with light-blocking cloth, so that it can be stored as much as possible without exposure to light. Please take all possible care to store garment inside out and block out light, as the lines of the folds, if folded, or the shoulder area which touches the hanger, if hung, are particularly prone to fade/lose colour. Also, insect repellent used in closets may affect the natural indigo and cause fading/colour loss: please refrain from using insect repellent.

Changes over time

The rich indigo shade of natural indigo is produced by exposure to the air. Therefore, the oxidation of natural indigo may continue even after dyeing through exposure to the air, so that the shade of indigo leather deepens and indigo cotton lighten. We hope you enjoy the natural changes in hue which occur in dyed natural indigo.

Any questions?

Please contact us for further information at
sales@sukumolondon.com (UK)
makoto@sukumojapan.com (Japan)