Items of 100 percent ramie should not require special care. Generally, they may be laundered or dry-cleaned depending on individual dyes, finishes and design applications.

High temperatures will not harm the fiber itself, making washing in hot water and ironing at high settings possible; however, color retention, shrinkage control or properties of blended fibers may dictate lower temperatures. Recent laboratory testing done has led to the conclusion that the best performance results when gentler or more special handling is used in care. For example, fabrics retained the best color and shape with the most wrinkle-free appearance when they were dry-cleaned.

Ramie History

Background information, History

Ramie is one of the oldest textile fibers. It was used in mummy cloths in Egypt during the period 5000 - 3000 BC, and has been grown in China for many centuries.

The main producers of ramie today are China, Brazil, Philippines, India, South Korea and Thailand.

Only a small percentage of the ramie produced is available on the international market.

Japan, Germany, France and the UK are the main importers, the remaining supply is used domestically (in the country in which it is produced).