Before the first use

The sochang kitchen cloths in a gift set have already been rinsed and washed using sodium percarbonate (an oxygen-based cleaning agent) to remove the starch used during weaving and finishing of the fabric. It can be used as is, without further preparation.

Note: starch is traditionally applied to warp threads during weaving to strengthen the yarn and is removed before use to restore absorbency.

Daily use

After wiping surfaces, rinse the cloth thoroughly with water only or with some washing-up liquid to remove any food residues. You will notice that sochang releases residues easily. For stronger colours or oils, gently rub the fabric against itself while rinsing. For any remaining stains, follow the instructions below for deep cleaning.

Let it air dry in a well-ventilated space.

Washing

• Machine wash at 40 °C or higher.

• Wash with 100% cotton items of similar colors, or together with other sochang cloths.

• Avoid fabric softeners, which can reduce absorbency. 

• Avoid tumble drying, as heat can cause any colour or oil residues to set into the fabric.

• Do not use chlorine bleach.

Deep cleaning and whitening

• For occasional deep cleaning or whitening, simmer the cloth in boiling water with an oxygen-based bleach (sodium percarbonate) for 15 minutes in a well-ventilated space. Rinse well with cold water and let it air dry.

• Alternatively, for larger quantities of sochang cloths, machine wash at 90 °C with an oxygen-based bleach. These methods restore whiteness of sochang without damaging the cotton fibres.