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Investing in quality Muslim apparel is smart — but without proper care, even the best fabrics deteriorate quickly. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep voal, satin, chiffon, cerutti, and other premium fabrics looking their best for years. (For the categories and fabric mixes we produce, see our product catalog.)
Understanding Premium Muslim Apparel Fabrics
Before you can care properly for a fabric, you need to understand its properties:
- Voal — Lightweight, breathable microfiber polyester. Used for hijab (pashmina, segi empat) and casual gamis. Delicate weave that needs gentle handling.
- Cerutti — Smooth, slightly lustrous woven fabric. Drapes elegantly, holds its shape well. Used for formal gamis and premium hijab.
- Satin — Glossy surface, luxurious feel. Used for formal gamis and special occasion wear. Extremely heat-sensitive.
- Chiffon — Sheer, lightweight, airy. Often used for layering and fashion hijab. Prone to snags.
- Jersey — Knitted fabric that stretches and recovers. Used for instant hijab (bergo), inner ciput, and casual gamis. Most forgiving of the premium fabrics.
- Organza — Crisp, slightly transparent, holds structure. Used for formal accents and overlays.
Every fabric behaves differently. The care label inside your garment is the definitive reference — always check it first.
6 Essential Care Tips for Premium Muslim Apparel
1. Handwash or Use the Delicate Cycle
For voal, satin, chiffon, and organza, handwashing is the safest option. Fill a basin with cool water, add a small amount of delicate fabric wash, and gently agitate — no scrubbing, no wringing.
If using a washing machine, select the delicate or gentle cycle with cold water and low spin speed. Place delicate items inside a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction.
Never put satin or chiffon in a standard wash cycle with normal spin speed — the mechanical stress damages the fibers and can permanently distort the weave.
Jersey fabrics (bergo, ciput) are more resilient and can typically handle a gentle machine wash cycle without a laundry bag.
2. Use Cold or Warm Water — Never Hot
Hot water is the enemy of premium fabrics:
- Colors fade faster — especially vibrant and deep colors
- Fabric can shrink — voal and cerutti are particularly vulnerable
- Delicate fibers weaken — reducing the lifespan of the garment
Stick to cold water (below 30°C) for all premium fabrics. Warm water (up to 30°C) is acceptable for cotton-blend and jersey items.
3. Choose the Right Detergent
Use a detergent formulated for delicate fabrics — look for “silk wash,” “delicate care,” or “gentle formula” on the label. These have lower pH and less aggressive surfactants that won’t strip fabric coatings or damage fine fibers.
For dark colors (black, navy, dark green), use a color-protect detergent that prevents dye transfer and color fading.
Avoid:
- Bleach or bleach-containing detergents (even on white fabrics — use an oxygen-based whitener if needed)
- Fabric softener on satin or chiffon — it can leave residue that dulls the surface
- Enzyme-based detergents on silk or protein-based fibers
4. Remove Excess Water Gently
After washing, never wring or twist fabric to remove water. This distorts the weave and can cause permanent creasing.
Instead:
- Gently press the fabric against the side of the basin to drain water
- Roll in a clean towel — lay the garment flat on a dry towel, roll it up, and press gently to absorb water without stress
- Never spin satin or chiffon in a washing machine — even the delicate spin setting is too aggressive for these fabrics
5. Dry in Shade, Not Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is one of the fastest ways to fade premium fabric colors. UV radiation breaks down dye molecules, causing:
- Uneven color fading (the areas exposed longest fade most)
- Loss of color depth, especially in pastels and bright colors
- Weakening of synthetic fibers over time
Best drying practice:
- Hang in a well-ventilated shaded area
- Lay flat (don’t hang) for jersey items to prevent stretching
- For satin and silk: dry inside-out to protect the surface
- Never use a tumble dryer for any premium fabric — the heat and tumbling action are both damaging
6. Iron at the Correct Temperature with a Pressing Cloth
Each fabric has a different heat tolerance:
| Fabric | Iron Temperature | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voal | Low (•) | Use a pressing cloth; never iron directly |
| Chiffon | Low (•) | Use pressing cloth; risk of scorching without it |
| Organza | Low (•) | Use pressing cloth; distorts easily |
| Satin | Very low (•) | Iron inside-out; pressing cloth essential |
| Cerutti | Medium (••) | Iron inside-out for best results |
| Jersey | Low (•) or no ironing | Steam works better for jersey |
Pressing cloth technique: Place a thin white cotton cloth (or piece of white fabric) between the iron and your garment. This distributes heat evenly and prevents the iron from directly contacting the fabric surface — critical for satin, which can scorch or lose its gloss at even moderate temperatures.
Proper Storage
Correct storage preserves fabric structure and prevents color transfer between garments:
Gamis and abaya: Hang on padded hangers to preserve the shoulder shape. Avoid thin wire hangers that can distort fabric over time.
Hijab: Fold neatly and store flat in a drawer, organized by color family. Avoid compressing — voal and cerutti should be loosely folded, not packed tightly.
Ciput and manset: Roll or fold flat. Store separate from outer garments to prevent pilling from surface friction.
All fabrics:
- Store away from direct light (a closed wardrobe or drawer)
- Avoid damp or humid environments — mold and mildew can permanently damage fabric
- For satin and silk items: store in breathable fabric garment bags (not plastic) to allow air circulation
Special Care for Hijab Styles
Once your hijab pieces are well-maintained, see 10 simple stylish hijab styles to get the most styling mileage from each one.
Laser-cut hijab
Handwash only. Never scrub or pull the laser-cut sections — the precise cuts are irreversible if torn. Pat dry with a towel.
Pleated (plisket) hijab
Never wring — this destroys the pleats permanently. After handwashing, gently shake into shape and hang to air-dry. The pleats will resettle naturally. Do not use an iron on pleated hijab.
Embroidered or beaded hijab
Handwash inside-out with cool water and mild detergent. Store flat or loosely folded — hanging can stretch the base fabric under the weight of decorations. Iron from the back (the plain side) only.
Instant hijab (bergo)
Most bergo can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle inside a laundry bag. The jersey fabric is resilient, but avoid hot water to prevent stretching and fading. Lay flat or hang to dry.
When Proper Care Starts at Purchase
The longevity of any garment starts with the quality of the materials used to make it. Premium-grade voal with good dye fixation, satin with stable surface treatment, and cerutti with tightly woven structure will all respond better to care — and last longer — than lower-grade alternatives.
Tiga Raga Konveksi uses premium fabric grades in all production to ensure that proper care translates into genuinely long-lasting garments. Our quality starts before the fabric is cut — see the full product catalog for the fabrics we stock per category.