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

• Remove bright-coloured spills or burnt residue with the luffa first.

• Use dry or wet to wipe surfaces.

• After use, rinse under water. Rub gently with or without dish soap to release any residues.

• Wring and hang to dry.

• For any remaining stains, follow the instructions below for deep cleaning.

Washing

• Machine wash regularly at 40 °C or higher with similar colours.

• Avoid fabric softeners, which can reduce absorbency.

• Do not use chlorine bleach.

• Air dry or tumble dry on low.

Deep cleaning and whitening

As a pre-treatment to remove the residues on the surface:

• Wet, soap, rub the stains and rinse.

In a well-ventilated space:

• Boil a (deep) pot of water and simmer the cloths for 5 minutes.

• Turn off the heat and add 1-3 tsp (for mild to tough stains) of sodium percarbonate. Soak for 20 minutes.

• For tough stains, turn the heat back on and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Keep within sight.

• Rinse well with cold water.

• Wring and hang to dry.

Alternatively, for larger quantities of sochang cloths, machine wash by themselves at 90 °C with sodium percarbonate.