festival – That Madras Mom

October 30, 2025

How to Handle Festive Laundry Without Losing Your Sparkle

Festive wear is all about shimmer, tradition, and celebration, but once the lights dim and the last laddoo is eaten, you’re left with a pile of delicate, embellished, and often expensive garments that need serious TLC. Whether it’s a silk saree, a sequined kurta, or a velvet lehenga, here’s your go-to guide for caring for festive laundry,before, during, and after the wash.

First and foremost check weather forecasts. Here in Chennai the weather was rainy for most days from Navratri till now, hence it took a really long time for me to plan the festive laundry. Now that we’re told that it would be bright and sunny for about ten days I decided to finish off this long pending load of laundry.

Pre-Wash Rituals: Handle with Heart

Before you even think of tossing your festive clothes into the washing machine, pause and prep:

Read the Label: Always check for washing instructions. Many festive fabrics require hand wash or dry cleaning.

Spot Check First: Identify areas with food stains, sweat marks, or makeup smudges. Use a gentle stain remover like Vanish or diluted white vinegar on a cotton swab.

Turn Inside Out: This protects embroidery, sequins, and delicate prints from friction and fading.

Use a Mesh Bag: If machine washing is allowed, place garments in a laundry mesh bag to reduce wear and tear.

Test for Color Bleed: Dab a wet cloth on a hidden part of the garment. If color transfers, wash separately or opt for dry cleaning.

Washing Tips: Gentle Yet Effective

Cold Water is Your Friend: Hot water can damage delicate fabrics and cause shrinkage.

Choose the Right Cycle: Use the “Delicate” or “Hand Wash” setting on your machine.

Limit Load Size: Don’t overcrowd the drum, festive wear needs space to breathe.

Avoid Harsh Scrubbing: For hand washing, gently swirl garments in water. Never wring or twist.

I’ve even made detergent choices much easier for you.

Best Detergents & Conditioners in Indian Markets

Here are some top-rated products that balance cleaning power with fabric care:

Detergents

Ariel Matic Liquid (Top Load)
Tough stains on machine-washable festive wear
Protects colors, dissolves easily

Surf Excel Matic (Front/Top Load)
Dried stains and delicate fabrics
Gentle yet powerful

Koparo Natural Liquid Detergent
Eco-friendly, chemical-free cleaning
Safe for kids, pets, and sensitive skin.

Fabric Conditioners

Comfort Fabric Conditioner
Softening and fragrance
Widely available, budget-friendly

Revive Liquid Stiffener
Restoring crispness to cottons and silks
Great for sarees and kurtas

Koparo Fabric Conditioner
Plant-based softness
Ideal for allergy-prone users

Post-Wash Care: Preserve the Magic

Air Dry in Shade: Direct sunlight can fade colors and weaken fabric.

Avoid Hangers for Heavy Garments: Lay flat to prevent stretching.

Steam, Don’t Iron: Use a garment steamer to smooth out wrinkles without damaging embellishments.

Store with Care: Wrap in muslin cloth and store in breathable bags with neem leaves or lavender sachets to repel insects.

Bonus Tip: Rotate & Reuse

Festive wear doesn’t have to be single-use. With proper care, you can mix and match pieces, restyle them creatively, and even lend them out. Sustainability starts with smart laundry!

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

October 16, 2025

Deck Up Your Home for Diwali—The Sustainable Way!

Diwali, the festival of lights, is more than just sparkle and sweets—it’s a celebration of renewal, warmth, and togetherness. But what if this year, your home radiates not just beauty but also conscious choices? Let’s explore how to deck up your space sustainably, repurposing Navratri décor and using items that are reusable, biodegradable, or already in your home.

🌼 1. Repurpose Navratri Decor: Give It a Diwali Twist

Navratri brings with it a riot of colors, fabrics, and florals. Instead of packing it all away, here’s how to give it a second life:
Garlands & Torans: Reuse marigold or mango leaf garlands as door hangings. Add fairy lights or bells for a Diwali upgrade.
Fabric Backdrops: Those vibrant dupattas or sarees used during Navratri can become table runners, curtain accents, or wall drapes.
Decorative Pots & Kalash: Paint them with natural colors or wrap them in jute for a rustic Diwali vibe.
🪔 2. DIY Decor from Everyday Items
You don’t need to buy new to make your home glow. Look around—your Diwali magic is already there.
Glass Jar Lanterns: Upcycle old jam jars with lace, jute, or colored paper. Drop in a tealight and voilà!
Thali Centerpieces: Use steel or brass thalis layered with diyas, flowers, and grains like rice or pulses for a traditional yet eco-friendly centerpiece.
Paper Rangoli: Cut colored paper scraps into rangoli patterns. Bonus: they’re reusable and kid-friendly!
🌸 3. Natural & Biodegradable Touches
Let nature be your decorator this Diwali.
Floral Rangoli: Use petals from roses, marigolds, chrysanthemums, or even leaves. Add turmeric and rice flour for color and texture.
Clay Diyas: Skip plastic lights and go for earthen diyas. Paint them with natural pigments or leave them raw for an earthy charm.
Banana Leaf Placemats: Hosting a festive meal? Use banana leaves as placemats—they’re biodegradable and beautiful.
♻️ 4. Reusable Decor Staples
Invest once, reuse forever.
Fabric Lanterns & Buntings: Stitch or buy cloth lanterns and buntings that can be folded and stored for years.
Jute & Cane Decor: Think tealight holders, baskets, and trays made from jute, cane, or bamboo. They add texture and are planet-friendly.
Terracotta Figurines: Use them as puja decor or table accents. They’re timeless and sustainable.
🌿 5. Conscious Lighting Choices
Let your lights shine responsibly.
Solar String Lights: Perfect for balconies and gardens. They charge during the day and glow all night.
Beeswax Candles: A cleaner alternative to paraffin candles, with a subtle honey scent.
LEDs Over Incandescents: If you must go electric, choose LEDs—they consume less power and last longer.
🎇 Final Touch: A Mindful Glow
This Diwali, let your home reflect not just tradition but transformation. By repurposing Navratri decor, choosing natural materials, and embracing reusable pieces, you’re not just decorating—you’re storytelling. A story of culture, care, and conscious celebration.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

October 21, 2024October 24, 2024

Navratri Golu: Celebrating Tradition, Family, and Culture Close to My Heart

Navratri Golu is a vibrant and cherished tradition in South India, especially in Tamilnadu. During the nine nights, families set up steps to showcase a multi-tiered display of dolls and figurines called Golu.
The depictions differ for each family as they could be scenes from daily life or Hindu mythology. Every evening, families offer foods such as pulses and sweets to the Golu as prasad and exchange greetings, gifts, and sweets. They sing devotional songs together and recite shlokas that give a divine vibe. Children and adults enjoy the creativity and craftsmanship involved in making these displays. Some of these dolls or figurines are carried across generations. There is a lot of happiness when you visit Golus at other houses to watch the type of dolls they’ve used in their displays. The nine days are dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga in her different forms.

This is a good time to get together with family members and friends that foster community spirit and cultural heritage. There is a recent color code that started becoming a trend. Every year before Navratri a colour code is devised that lists out colours for each day.

Months before Navratri we take time to plan the food items to offer, dolls to display, the themes to decide, dresses to wear, and return gifts to give people who visit the house.

This trend of deciding what to wear as per the color code for the year impressed me much. In 2020, I started draping sarees as per the color code. This is a great way to wear sarees that have been lying around in the wardrobe. Restyle the sarees in different ways. My mother used to help me decide the sarees and choose what accessories that go with them.

2021, everything was all set for the golu that year from guest lists to sarees to drape, and what prasad to offer each day, but there came a big blow that we never expected. We lost mom to a sudden massive heart attack. My entire world came down shattered into pieces which I’d never knew I’d be able to build back again.

Days passed but I couldn’t gather myself, but I decided what I should do. I draped the sarees of my mom in memory of her. Every saree felt like a warm hug. Touchwood, till this year I’ve been draping sarees as per the color code each year. It gives me a sense of joy to celebrate what mom loved to do and how she would love to see me. Golu every year is so special to me, I carry forward the tradition from mom and would take it forward to the next.

This post is a part of ‘Feeling Festive Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed .

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.