Every Boho Mantra piece is handcrafted from natural materials — and with a little care, it'll stay as alive as the day it arrived. Here's how to look after your jewellery, clothing, bags, and accessories.

Jewellery Care

Our jewellery is handcrafted from brass, with a range of finishes — and knowing which finish your piece has tells you exactly how to look after it. Every product page lists its own materials and care.

Knowing your finish

• Solid brass, unplated — the warm golden colour is the metal itself, nothing applied on top. The most robust of our finishes
• 18k gold plated — a thicker, durable layer of real gold over solid brass
• Gold polished — a fine layer of real gold over solid brass, thinner than our plated pieces. Our most delicate finish, and the one that rewards gentle handling most
• Silver plated — a layer of real silver over solid brass. Not solid silver
• Tibetan silver — a traditional Himalayan alloy, used in our Tibetan and Nepali stone-inlay pieces
• Oxidised — a hand-applied darkened finish, deliberately antique. Meant to look aged

Caring for all metal pieces

• Keep it dry — remove before showering, swimming, washing up, exercise and sleep. Water is what shortens a finish's life more than anything else
• Last on, first off — let perfume, lotion, hairspray and sunscreen dry fully before putting your jewellery on
• Wipe after wearing — a soft, dry cloth lifts away skin oils before they can do anything
• Store dry — in the pouch it arrived in, away from humidity and direct sun
• Never use polishes — no polishing cloths, silver dips, metal pastes, toothpaste, lemon juice or bicarbonate of soda. On a plated or polished piece these don't clean the finish, they remove it. On oxidised pieces they lift away the antique depth you paid for

A note on the green mark

Brass contains copper, which can occasionally leave a temporary green mark on skin. It's harmless, washes off easily, and isn't an allergic reaction — it's simply the metal reacting with natural skin oils. It's more likely in heat, or if you've applied lotion just before wearing. Keeping your piece dry and wiping it after wear reduces it considerably.

On plating and polish

Every applied finish wears eventually — that's true of all fashion jewellery, at every price point. Treated well, a plated piece holds its colour for years; a polished piece is finer and will soften sooner, warming into an antique tone many people prefer. Neither is a fault, and neither is permanent.

Natural stones

• Wipe with a damp cloth only. Avoid chemical cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and prolonged sun exposure which can fade some stones
• Natural stones are delicate — avoid drops and impacts. Each stone is unique and varies slightly in colour and pattern

Clothing Care

Our kimonos, sarongs, and wraps are crafted from natural and blended fabrics — cotton, cotton-silk, viscose, georgette, and satin. Each piece carries hand-applied prints or dyes that deserve gentle handling.

Cotton & Cotton-Silk

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, or gentle machine wash on a delicate cycle
• Wash separately or with like colours for the first two washes — natural dyes may release excess colour
• Do not wring or twist — gently press out water
• Dry flat or line dry in shade. Avoid direct sunlight which can fade prints
• Iron on low-medium heat while slightly damp for the smoothest finish
• Zari (metallic thread) trim — iron on reverse side only to protect the metallic finish

Viscose

• Hand wash cold only — viscose is delicate when wet and can shrink or distort in a machine
• Do not soak for extended periods
• Gently press out excess water between two towels — never wring
• Dry flat on a clean towel, reshape while damp
• Iron on low heat with a pressing cloth, or steam gently

Satin & Georgette

• Hand wash cold in a very mild detergent or baby shampoo
• Do not rub, twist, or wring — swirl gently in water
• Roll in a clean towel to absorb moisture, then line dry in shade
• Iron on the lowest setting, inside out, with a pressing cloth. Or hang in a steamy bathroom to release wrinkles naturally

Bag & Clutch Care

Our handcrafted bags feature materials like mother-of-pearl, brass, beadwork, mirror embroidery, and fabric shells. Each requires slightly different care.

Mother-of-Pearl & Shell

• Wipe with a soft, damp cloth — never submerge in water
• Avoid chemical cleaners, perfume spray, and hand sanitiser directly on the surface
• Store in the dust bag provided, standing upright to avoid pressure on the inlay

Beaded & Mirror-Work Bags

• Spot clean only with a damp cloth
• Avoid pulling on loose beads — if a thread loosens, secure it with a tiny dab of fabric glue before it unravels
• Store flat or on its side in the dust bag, away from heavy items that could crush the beading

Fabric & Embroidered Bags

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap
• For deeper cleaning, hand wash the fabric shell gently in cold water and air dry flat
• Keep away from direct sunlight when storing to prevent fading

Metal Hardware & Clasps

• Wipe brass hardware with a soft dry cloth — avoid polishes and abrasives, which can remove any applied finish
• Avoid contact with water and perfume to keep clasps functioning smoothly
• If a clasp stiffens, a tiny drop of coconut oil on the hinge restores movement

Scarf & Accessory Care

Follow the clothing care instructions above based on the fabric listed in your scarf's product page — most are cotton or cotton-silk and can be hand washed cold and dried flat. A light iron on low heat brings them back to smooth after washing.

General Tips

• Always check the care instructions on your individual product page — some pieces have specific requirements
• When in doubt, hand wash cold and dry flat. It's the safest approach for every handcrafted item
• Store all items away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat
• Questions? Email us at shop@bohomantra.com