Black Abaya Care: How to Wash, Iron and Store It

The care label knows the fabric better than any guide. Lace, metallic pattern, sequins and embellished cuffs often need a hand wash or dry cleaning. Follow the label first, and use the steps below for everything it allows.

• Turn the abaya inside out and close the buttons, so the outer face meets less friction.
• Use cold or cool water, 30°C or less. Heat releases black dye.
• In the washing machine, choose a gentle or delicates cycle, or wash by hand. Put lace and delicate trims in a mesh laundry bag.
• Wash it with other dark clothes. Light colours shed lint that shows on black.
• Use a detergent for darks, and less than the box suggests. Residue leaves a grey film, so add an extra rinse.
• Skip bleach and stain removers with optical brighteners.
• Press the water out or roll the abaya in a towel. Wringing twists the seams.

Qatar's sun fades black dye, so dry the abaya in shade or indoors, away from a sunny balcony rail. Hang it on a wide hanger while it is damp and smooth the seams by hand; most creases fall out as it dries. Keep it out of a hot tumble dryer, which sets creases and takes colour with it.

Iron on the reverse at low to medium heat, through a pressing cloth. Shine on black comes from an iron pressed onto the face of the fabric. Steam chiffon, satin and velvet instead of ironing them, and hold the steamer a short distance away. Lace takes a cool iron from the back, through a cloth. Keep heat off metallic trims.

Spray perfume on your skin before you dress and let it dry. Perfume oils and alcohol can leave marks on dark fabric, and oud oil stains. To scent an abaya with bukhoor, hold it high above the burner, away from the embers, and let it air before you fold it.

Let deodorant dry before you put the abaya on, and brush away any white marks with a dry, clean cloth.

Hang everyday abayas on wide or padded hangers with space around them, so the fabric breathes and the shoulders keep their shape. Store occasion and winter pieces in cotton garment bags; plastic traps humidity. A clothes brush or lint roller before each wear keeps dust from settling into the weave.

Each wash takes a little colour with it. After a day out, hang the abaya by an open window or in a cool room for a few hours, and spot-clean marks with a damp cloth. Wash it after several wears, or when it holds the smell of food or smoke.