How to wash a marina suit without bobbling it

Read the label before anything else

Sellers use the word marina for a soft, lightly brushed winter fabric, but the composition varies. Some is described as brushed cotton, some is a blend with polyester or viscose. That matters for heat and shrinkage. A cotton-rich marina behaves like a soft cotton and can shrink a little in warm water. A synthetic-rich one shrinks less but can go shiny under a hot iron and bobble more where it rubs.

If the label says dry clean only, follow it, especially for suits with heavy embroidery or a lining stitched in. If there is no label at all, treat the suit as the most delicate likely blend: cool water and hand washing.

Machine washing marina

Where the label allows a machine wash, a few settings make a big difference to how the surface looks after a season.

• Turn every piece inside out so the brushed face is protected and the inside takes the friction.
• Choose a wool, delicates or hand-wash cycle at a cool temperature, 30°C or lower unless the label says otherwise.
• Wash a half load. Marina needs room to move gently, not to be packed against other clothes.
• Keep it away from rough fabrics such as denim, towels or anything with zips and hooks.
• Use a liquid detergent for coloured or delicate wash. Powder can leave grains in a brushed surface.
• Set a low spin. A fast spin presses the fabric against the drum and flattens the nap.

Hand washing step by step

Hand washing gives you the most control, and it is the safer choice for a suit you care about or one with embroidery on the neckline.

• Fill a basin with cool water and dissolve a small amount of mild liquid detergent before the suit goes in.
• Submerge the pieces inside out and press them gently up and down for a minute or two. Do not scrub.
• Leave them to soak briefly, then lift them out rather than pouring the water off through them.
• Rinse in clean cool water until no suds come out.
• Press the water out between your palms, then roll each piece in a dry towel. Never wring marina.

Drying, and keeping washes to a minimum

Keep marina out of the tumble dryer. The heat and constant rubbing raise bobbles fast, and a cotton-rich marina can shrink. Lay the kameez flat on a drying rack or a towel and pat it into shape, or hang it over a wide, padded hanger in the shade. Wet winter fabric is heavy, so a narrow hanger or pegs can stretch the shoulders. Our guide to drying without fading or shrinking has more on this.

The fewer times a marina suit goes through a wash, the longer its surface stays smooth. Air it on a hanger between wears, spot clean small marks with a damp cloth, and wash the trousers more often than the kameez if they need it. Wash a separate dupatta or shawl on its own, as it is often a different fabric with different care.

If you are deciding between winter fabrics for a new suit, karandi vs marina compares how they wear. For a new suit made to your measurements, Fabric + Stitching lets us propose a fabric and agree it with you before cutting. Ask for a quote and tell us how you plan to wash it.