Tea Towel The Winding Road Indigo: Care Guide
By Thunderpants - New Zealand made | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to wash and dry your Thunderpants Tea Towel The Winding Road Indigo to keep its hand-tied shibori pattern beautiful for years.
Quick answer
Wash your Tea Towel The Winding Road Indigo in cold water with mild detergent and air-dry it away from direct sunlight to preserve the hand-tied indigo pattern.
Why indigo needs special care
The Winding Road Indigo tea towel is hand-tied using the shibori technique and dyed in an indigo vat. Indigo is a natural dye that can fade or bleed if treated roughly, so gentle washing and drying are essential to keep the pattern crisp.
The towel is made from 100% fairtrade organic unbleached cotton drill, a durable fabric that softens with each wash. While it can handle regular use, a little extra care will extend its life and keep the colours rich.
Step-by-step care routine
- Pre-treat stains promptly: As soon as a stain appears, gently rub a small amount of mild liquid detergent into the spot and let it sit for 5 minutes before washing. Avoid using bleach or harsh stain removers, as they can strip the indigo dye. Always check the stain is gone before drying, because heat can set it permanently.
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle: Machine wash the towel in cold water (30°C or lower) with a mild detergent. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle to reduce friction, which can cause the indigo to fade or bleed onto other fabrics. Wash separately or with similar dark colours for the first few washes to avoid colour transfer.
- Air-dry away from direct sunlight: Hang the towel to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Direct sunlight can fade indigo quickly, and high heat from a tumble dryer can shrink the cotton drill and set wrinkles. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the towel while slightly damp.
Product facts
- Tea Towel - The Winding Road Indigo: Hand tied by Sophie using the winding road shibori technique before being dyed by Helen in our indigo vat. The hand-tied pattern is unique to each towel, so gentle care protects the artisan work and prevents the indigo from fading unevenly.
Tea Towel - The Winding Road Indigo
