Taking Care of Songket:

Cleaning & Repairing
Songket cleaning may become a delicate operation depending on the condition of the piece. Cleaning, though is not as important as preventing damage to the Songket. Damage from cleaning is not reversible, and little can be done to fix it. So be careful when choosing each method of cleaning.

Surface Cleaning
Songket which is in good condition could be carefully vacuumed using a low powered hand-held vacuum. Lift the nozzle from place to place in the direction of the nap; do not rub back and forth. A soft artist brush could be used to ease the dust removal. However, antique Songket that has broken or loose gold and silk threads is not suitable for surface cleaning.

Wet Cleaning
Not all Songket could be wet cleaned by hand. As dyed thread were used in weaving Songket, discoloration may occur. Wet washing however softens broken gold threads, realigns the textile and totally removes dirt or musty smells. Think carefully before using this option though, DAMAGE IS IRREVERSIBLE.

Dry Cleaning
Songket with excellent strong fiber is suitable for dry cleaning. Even so, go to local dry cleaners who are willing to do custom dry cleaning with initial testing. Old antique may not withstand dry cleaning treatment. The dry cleaning process may not be able to remove stain totally and spot dry cleaning is discouraged. IRONING IS ALLOWED AND NEVER USE WASHERS OR DRYERS.

Repairing
Minor tear on Songket could be fixed by hand stitching using proper thread, and stitching techniques. Stitching must be relaxed to avoid tension on the fabric. Sew the textile on flat surface, and use existing holes if possible while avoiding piercing through the woven threads. Plan where to stitch and use minimum number of stitches if possible.

Washing Procedure