Are you looking for a safe way to preserve your wedding gown? For many people, a wedding gown is the most expensive article of clothing they have ever bought. Plus, it holds important sentimental value as the dress you wore when you began your married life. No doubt you want to find a way to keep it looking beautiful as long as possible.

If you are considering wedding dress preservation, you have several options to choose from. Some people choose to clean their gowns at home and then put them away, while others opt for a professional preservation service that will help keep your dress looking fresh and beautiful. Read on to learn more about your choices for caring for your wedding dress after the big event.

Commit to Doing Something

Whether you’re more of a DIY girl or interested in getting help from a professional, make sure that you do something with your dress. Those wine and frosting stains are only going to get darker and more difficult to get out. And if you just leave it hanging on a hanger in your closet, you can end up stretching the bodice out so that it looks misshapen. Whether you want to clean your dress at home, get it dry cleaned or preserved, what’s important is that you take proper care of your beautiful dress.

Wash Minor Stains at Home

If you only have a few spots you would like to get out, you can wash your dress at home in a clean tub with lukewarm water and some detergent. Make sure the tub is clean first and then dissolve the correct amount of detergent for a small load of laundry. Then submerge your dress and leave it to soak. Afterward, rinse in more lukewarm water and dry flat over a rack. Don’t hang it up to dry, as this will only stretch the fabric. Also, only attempt this method if the dress does not say “dry clean only” on the label.

Consider a Professional

On the other hand, you can consider using a professional cleaning and preservation service. You can get your dress dry-cleaned and sealed in a professional-grade box that will protect it from the effects of age. However, not all companies are created equally and you should shop around to find one that suits your budget and requirements.   

Cleaning and Preserving Your Wedding Dress

Are you a newlywed concerned about preserving your wedding dress? First of all, congratulations on your wedding! If you’re worried about how to keep your dress as fresh and beautiful as when you first put it on, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about cleaning and preserving your wedding dress.

Step 1: Get It Cleaned As Soon As Possible

Your first priority should be to get your dress to the dry-cleaners. No matter how careful you are, there is always at least one stain on your wedding dress. Things like red wine, mud, and frosting from when your husband smashed cake in your face can all leave noticeable stains. And since stains darken over time, it’s imperative that you do something about them immediately.

Additionally, remember that wedding gowns are made of special materials, like lace, silk, satin and taffeta, that react differently to stains. You’ll want to make sure that your dry cleaner uses a gentle cleaning process and isn’t too rough. Otherwise, you could damage the fabric.

Step 2: Consider Boxing

When it comes time to consider storing your dress, don’t just hang it up in your closet. Hanging for years from a hanger can stretch the shoulders and the bodice, especially if the skirt is heavy and has lots of luxurious layers of fabric. Instead, consider storing it in a padded box. The box should be sealed to prevent dust and insects from getting in, and should be made from acid-free materials. Then, place the box in a cool, dry environment, such as under your bed. Don’t place it in the basement or the attic, as these areas don’t always have regular temperatures, which can cause damage.

Step 3: Use Tissue Paper in the Folds

To prevent discoloration around the folds, insert bits of tissue paper. This will help maintain the color evenly and also prevent dust from settling deep down in the folds.

Step 4: Consider Professional Service

While these tips are all well and good, you may wish to consider a professional gown cleaning and preservation service. These companies will not only clean your gown so that it looks like new, but also provide treatments and a proper storage box, as well as helpful tips on how to make your dress last longer. You can find them online, in the phone book or by asking a friend for a recommendation.

5 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your Wedding Gown Cleaned

Are you considering getting your wedding gown professionally cleaned? Many newlyweds wish to have their gowns cleaned so that they look just as beautiful as the day they came out of the bridal store. Some people also want to take it one step further and find a professional preservation method so that they can turn their wedding gowns into family heirlooms.

Whichever you choose, know that getting a wedding dress cleaned is a big process and you should think carefully about how to go about doing it. To assist you, here are five things you should know before getting your wedding gown cleaned.

1.  Price

Remember that expression, “You get what you pay for?” Well, sometimes that’s true here too. Oftentimes, cheaper cleaning companies don’t deliver quality work. However, sometimes they still charge an arm and a leg but don’t deliver quality work, and you’re left feeling ripped off. To avoid these situations, make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for. It may help to shop around to find the perfect cleaning company to suit your needs and budget.

2.  Spot-Cleaning

When shopping for a cleaning company, make sure to ask about spot-cleaning. You’ll want someone to inspect your dress completely and remove any spots, while also explaining exactly what kind of chemicals are being used. Since wedding gowns are made of special fabrics like lace, taffeta and silk, you’ll want to make sure the cleaning process is gentle enough not to damage the fabric, but strong enough to get those pesky spots out.

3.  Sugar Stains

Stains left by sugary substances, like alcohol, cake, frosting, coffee and even baby spit, will require a special process to remove. Ask directly whether the cleaning company can recognize and remove stains caused by sugary items.

4.  Storage Materials Provided

After the cleaning process, most companies will provide a bag or box to store your gown in for years to come. You’ll want to make sure that the bag or box is made of acid-free material and that the company will pack the dress in acid-free tissue paper to prevent discoloration around the seams and folds.

5.  Better Business Bureau

Finally, you can look on the Better Business Bureau’s website for a listing of trusted companies. These companies will have built a great reputation, so your best bet is to go with one of them!