A dohar is not a blanket, and it is not a bedsheet. It sits somewhere in between — a layered, stitched, breathable covering that Indian homes have used for generations. The right dohar replaces your quilt for eight months of the year and works as a light layer under a quilt for the remaining four. But choosing between mulmul, bamboo, and cambric is not straightforward, because each fabric behaves differently depending on your city, your room ventilation, and your sleep temperature.
Mulmul: The Undisputed Summer Champion
Mulmul (also spelled malmal) is a two-layer or three-layer cotton muslin that has been woven in India for centuries. The fabric is so light that traditional weavers in Bengal and Gujarat called it “woven air” — a bolt of mulmul could be drawn through a finger ring. Our mulmul dohars weigh between 600-800 grams for a double size, making them the lightest option in our range.
Mulmul excels in dry heat. In Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Delhi (April-June), and any city where nights stay above 30°C, a mulmul dohar is all you need. The fabric absorbs sweat quickly and dries almost immediately because of the open weave structure. After three or four washes, the cotton fibres soften dramatically and the dohar develops the kind of drape that makes you reach for it instinctively.
The trade-off: mulmul is delicate. Machine-wash on gentle cycle only, avoid wringing, and line-dry in shade. Expect the fabric to pill slightly in the first year — this is normal and reduces after the initial washes. A well-maintained mulmul dohar lasts 3-4 seasons of heavy summer use.
Bamboo: For Humid Coastal Climates
Bamboo-viscose dohars are our recommendation for Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Goa, and any coastal city where humidity stays above 70% even at night. Bamboo fibre has a natural moisture-wicking property that pulls perspiration away from your body and disperses it across the fabric surface, where it evaporates faster than cotton can manage.
Additionally, bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial — the fibre contains a bio-agent called “bamboo kun” that discourages bacterial growth. This means your dohar stays fresher between washes, which is a genuine advantage in humid climates where fabrics can develop odour faster. Our bamboo dohars are thermo-regulating: they feel cool when the room is warm and retain some warmth when the AC kicks in at night. This makes them a versatile year-round option for air-conditioned bedrooms in any climate zone.
Bamboo dohars are slightly heavier than mulmul (900-1100 grams for a double) but significantly softer to the touch from the first use. They are also easier to maintain — machine-washable on a regular cycle, quick to dry, and resistant to pilling.
Cambric: The Structured, Four-Season Option
Cambric is a tightly woven cotton with a crisp, smooth finish. A cambric dohar feels structured and substantial — it has body and hold, unlike the fluid drape of mulmul. This makes it ideal for people who prefer a dohar that stays in place rather than bunching up at the foot of the bed.
We recommend cambric dohars for northern India (Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow) where you need a covering that works from October to February as a standalone and from March to May as a light layer. The tight weave retains more warmth than mulmul, making it a practical four-season option when paired with a quilt in winter.
Cambric is the most durable of the three — it holds up to frequent washing without significant softening or distortion, and the crisp finish survives ironing beautifully. If you prefer your bed made up hotel-style with sharp folds and clean lines, cambric is your fabric.
Quick Decision Guide
Dry heat above 35°C, no AC: Mulmul. Coastal humidity, AC bedroom: Bamboo. Four-season use, structured feel: Cambric. And if you are buying for a guest room where different people with different preferences will sleep, bamboo is the safest all-round choice.