How to maintain the Japanese Kimono?

Washing and Cleaning

Maintaining the quality of a Japanese kimono is important, and thus regular washing and cleaning are necessary. Cleaning a kimono can be done in a way that is gentle enough to preserve the fabric and prevent any damage. In this article, we will discuss how to wash and clean a kimono in order to keep it looking its best and keep its quality intact.

Handwashing: the best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

When it comes to washing and cleaning the Japanese Kimono, handwashing is the best way to keep the quality of your garment. Washing in warm water helps to get rid of surface dirt and dust, while allowing the fabric to remain soft. When washing a kimono by hand, make sure to use a mild detergent, such as one specifically made for delicates or wool. Avoid using products that can break down fabric fibers over time – such as harsh detergents or bleach – as this can cause discoloration and weaken the fibers.

It is important to avoid wringing the fabric when handwashing a kimono. Instead, gently press between your hands and palms until most of the moisture has been removed from the fabric. The garment should then be rolled in a dry towel and then dried flat until completely dry. Since most of our Japan Kimono are made from silk/shantung fabrics, drying in direct sunlight is not recommendedWash at low temperatures with gentle detergents

Be mindful not to overload your machine when cleaning with a washing machine. Do not overload your machine with more clothes than its capacity so it could clean effectively without causing any damage on your garment Avoid using harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or strong detergents that contain optical brighteners Hand wash only dark colored clothes separately so they do not bleed on light colored clothes
Always button up all fastenings before washing; avoid any snags on delicate fabrics such as silk
After you are done washing, tumble dry your kimonos using low heat setting; this will help retain its shape while keeping color vibrancy

Machine washing: the second best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Though hand washing is the ideal way to clean a kimono, all but the most expensive silk varieties can be machine washed in a mesh garment bag, using a cool delicate setting. When machine washing, it is important to use gentle detergents made for delicates and hand washables. Do not bleach. Avoid fabric softeners as they may affect the sheen of the kimono. To maintain its shape and strength, tumble dry at low temperatures after moisture has been squeezed out of the material with a dry towel or by rolling in a blanket. Remove promptly to reduce wrinkling; pressing is usually not necessary unless you’re wearing it right away after laundry day.

Drying

Keeping your Japanese Kimono in top condition requires careful attention. To ensure your Kimono lasts and retains its quality, it is important to properly dry and store it. Proper drying is one of the key steps in maintaining a good quality Kimono, and following the proper steps can help your Kimono remain looking great for years to come. Read on to learn how to properly store and dry your Kimono.

Hang drying: the best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Hanging the kimono is the best method to keep it’s original shape and quality, never use machinery like washing machines or dryers. A traditional kimono should never be twisted, you can hang it on a clothes hanger although it is better to hang it up on the jikatabi (traditional kimono hanger).
When put it out to dry, there are some key points in mind:
1. Make sure not to expose the fabric and colors to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
2. Steeping can leave yellowing patches so you should turn it over regularly while drying.
3. Do not use a heater if you’re in a cold climate otherwise the fibers will dry too fast and compromise its strength as well as elasticity which reflects on its overall feel or hang-ability when worn for that extra durability and fit quality that a Japanese Kimono should have.
4. Try not to iron an obi or whilst creasing either because ironing can damage the fabric of these usually stiffening accessories which need special attention when re-visiting their look without compromising their quality nor integrity as best practices should be followed once again here as usually these are handmade items so take special care with them too!

Machine drying: the second best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Machine drying, when done properly, can indeed be beneficial to the preservation of your Kimono. It is the second best method for maintaining the item’s material, color, and overall quality. To ensure that the kimono suffers no damage or discoloration when it is delivered from washing and drying, setting your dryer at a lower temperature and diminishing dry time can help prevent any damages.

Before machine drying, take special precautions to ensure that all hooks are secured so they do not become caught in the drum or on other pieces of clothing. Always use a mesh bag or garment bag to protect zippers and hooks from getting snagged during the machine cycle. Put similar items in together with your kimono and avoid overdrying by setting the timer only for as long as necessary for maximum effectiveness.

In addition to successful washing and proper care as mentioned above, regular maintenance from trained professionals will be needed at least once or twice a year to keep kimonos looking their best for years to come.

Ironing

One of the most important steps to keep your Japanese Kimono in top quality is regular ironing. Ironing is essential in keeping the fabric of your Kimono neat and smooth, and it can also help prevent any wrinkles or creases from forming. In this section we will discuss the proper techniques for ironing a Japanese Kimono and how to maintain the quality of the garment over time.

Hand ironing: the best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Preserving the shape of Kimono is essential to maintain its true beauty. This means that it should be hung for air-drying, rather than tumbled dried.

Once it has been aired, it should be ironed. This is generally done by hand with a jizai – a shaped piece of cardboard left in the main fold lines in the garment – and a goho, a very light cork block which creates as even an ironing surface as possible. Japanese irons are equipped with removable soleplates to make this task more manageable.

Essential ironing rules include working on one side at a time, beginning at the sleeve end and ironing inward toward the centre fastening point at the neckline; using steam or preferably just hot or warm air if available; maintaining constant pressure; checking that parts of right sides are matched before pressing and remembering not be too vigorous when using indirect heat over hot areas because of potential damage to silk or synthetic material parts in traditional kimonos.

Place jizai on each major fold line along seams and press slightly through several layers without sliding around fabric. Keep goho in place while applying heat on both sides of each fold line from outer edge toward inner part in continuous motion until both sides are fully pressed following same path used for jizai placement. Once both sides are finished take out jizai placing it over slight raised section ahead for most even results. Remove any creases left after taking out jizaian– then rehang article so gravity can assist forming consistent look to main body portion such as pleats or general shape retaining some curves throughout design pattern area instead of reaching maximum sharp corners outlines making article look rigidly symmetric off-shape from its natural beauty state viewable when well kept item bought from shop vendor .

Machine ironing: the second best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Machine ironing is a great alternative to the intricate process of hand-pressing for those looking for an easier way to maintain the quality of the Kimono. This method should only be used when specific temperatures and methods are followed and with only certain fabrics.

When using machine ironing, it is best to set your tiered settings according to the fabric type of your garment. For example: It is important that you check your settings on a lower setting like silk or wool if you are pressing any type of synthetic fabric. Here is a general guideline which will help you achieve ideal results:

-Set temperature control on low mode (mid settings can cause light color fabrics to discolor).
-Use steam if available, as this helps avoid hotspots
-Press using downward strokes, being sure not to let the iron move around too much in order for proper heat distribution
-Lift the iron frequently in order to prevent any unnecessary creasing
-Avoid starch based products as these can leave behind residues that are difficult to remove from delicate fabrics.

Regular care and maintenance should be taken for all types of garments however delicate fabrics such as silk and linen require extra attention when using machine ironing in order to properly maintain their texture.

Storing

Properly storing your Japanese Kimono is an important part of preserving its quality. If you diligently keep up with the maintenance of your Kimono, you can avoid issues that can damage the fabric and ruin the appearance. This section will provide the necessary information to help you store your Kimono and keep it in top-notch condition.

Fold and store in a cool, dry place: the best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

It is important to store and maintain the Japanese Kimono properly in order to preserve its quality. The best way to ensure that the Kimono stays in excellent condition is to fold and store it in a cool, dry place. This is especially true for those made from silk, as the material tends to lose its shape when subjected to too much moisture or heat.

Folding the kimono properly can also help optimize space when storing. Before proceeding with folding, one should brush off any loose debris from the kimono, such as dirt or lint that can be damaging over time. It is then necessary to flatten any wrinkles that may have formed during use of the garment.

Next, open up the sleeves and smooth out excess fabric before folding them halfway across their length; leaving enough fabric at both ends of the sleeves free allows them to be folded so they are lying flat against the body of the kimono before being kept away. The obi (the belt typically worn around this type of clothing) should also be folded afterwards and tucked away carefully within one of these folds; this will keep it safe from dust particles or external elements that could potentially damage it in storage.

It is important not to pucker any seams when folding in order not to leave any lasting impressions on delicate fabrics like silk; taking extra care over particular sections can prevent wrinkles or tears of material during storage. After packing away each successive fold neatly inside itself, each gold embroidery piece should be covered with anti-tarnishing paper before being placed in an airtight bag and stored upright where possible in a dry box with compartments – this will help keep your kimono looking good as new for many years!

Store in a vacuum sealed bag: the second best way to keep the quality of the Kimono

Once a Japanese Kimono is cleaned and properly stored, the next best thing to do is to store the kimono in a vacuum sealed bag. This helps to maintain the fabric quality of your garment by eliminating as much air as possible from its environment. Vacuum sealed bags are great for storing every type of fabric for any length of time, but particularly when it comes to delicate fabrics that can easily become stained or damaged if not handled with care. The vacuum sealing process will also help keep clothing dry and reduce the occurrence of musty odors caused by trapped moisture. For the best results, follow these steps when storing a kimono in a vacuum sealed bag:

1. Fill the vacuum sealed bag with fresh, clean packing material such as tissue paper or lightly used pillowcases.
2. Carefully fold up the kimono and insert it into one end of the bag — if you’re using jeans hangers, hang it up in there first before inserting into the bag.
3. Add more packing material around the kimono then squeeze out any excess air with your hands before sealing shut with a vacuum cleaner attachment or airtight closure device.
4. Once closed, store away in a cool, dark place like an attic, basement or closet — avoid direct sunlight as this will cause discoloration over time!