The decision to preserve your wedding dress is one that allows you to enjoy the gown for many years and possibly pass it down to the next generation. Whatever your reason for preservation, you are probably wondering how much preserving the dress will cost. The answer is contingent on several factors, such as dress fabric. Let's take a look at these factors to give you a better idea of how much dough it will cost to preserve this very special dress.

Dress Cost

How much your dress cost affects how much you will spend to preserve it. Why? The finer and more expensive the fabric, the more you will spend on the preservation. For example, silk usually costs more to preserve because it is a expensive, delicate fabric. If you have yet to purchase your wedding dress and know you will want to preserve it, keep this in mind.

Dress Embellishments

Dress embellishments play a significant role in preservation cost. Think about it: if your dress features intricate beading, a long train, lots of delicate lace, detailed embroidery, or other dramatic embellishments, it will cost more to preserve it. Extra care must be taken to ensure none of the embellishments melt or are otherwise damaged.

Dress Stains

The degree of staining your dress sustained is another preservation price factor. If the dress was subjected to organic stains from wine, cake, and other foods and beverages, more labor is involved to preserve the gown. If the dress was not badly stained, you obviously won't have to pay as much. Try to keep this in mind amidst wedding reception fun!

Your Location

Your location also plays a role in wedding dress cost. For example, if you live in New York City or another expensive metropolitan area, it will likely cost more to preserve the dress.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

You threw a DIY wedding, but does that mean you should go the same route with your wedding dress? Well, no. Much like cutting your own hair, cleaning your wedding dress yourself is not the greatest idea--that is, unless you are a gown specialist! Learn why leaving cleaning to the professionals is ideal.

The Fabric

Bridal gown cleaning is a specialty. Period.  Developing a knowledge of different fabrics and how to work with them takes time, whether the fabric is satin, silk, tulle, chiffon, or something else. There's also vintage gowns, which are a whole other fabric animal. Unless you have a deep knowledge of various fabrics and how to clean them, put your wedding gown in professional hands.

Beading, Trim, Lace...

Not only would cleaning a wedding dress yourself require a serious knowledge of fabric, it also requires understanding how to deal with embellishments such as beadwork, trim, and lace. For example, some cleaning techniques work great for beadwork, while others leave them as melted messes. DIY wedding gown cleaning gets complicated quickly if you have many intricacies to deal with.

Pressing & Steaming

Sure, you can press and steam your wedding dress...if you have a steamer. You can also hang it in a steamy bathroom to get rid of minor creases and wrinkles, as it usually works as a last-ditch effort. However, do you really want to attempt pressing your wedding gown? It could be a nightmare. A big, scary nightmare.

Save Yourself The Trouble And Go Pro

Leaving wedding dress cleaning to the professionals is by far the best choice for ensuring gown preservation. Find a specialist in your area, or ship it off if necessary. Don't take your dress to the local dry cleaners, as it could end up touching other clothing and become stained. Improper dress handling and cleaning could also occur, with the results disastrous. If you really want to preserve your wedding gown, spend the money on professional preservation. It usually costs less than dry cleaning and comes with necessary accessories such as an acid-free box and acid-free paper.

Good luck!

The vows have been said, the cake has been cut, the first dance was super-romantic, and the honeymoon was one joy after another. Now that the craziness is officially over, it is time to take care of one of the most important mementos from the Big Day: your wedding gown. Use the following seven tips to ensure your gown stays as beautiful as it was the day you said "I do."

Hang By The Loops

Hang your wedding dress by its inside loops. Never, ever hang the gown by its shoulder seams, as the weight of the dress can cause everything to sag or stretch. Not good!

Choose The Right Specialist

Work with a wedding gown preservation specialist who will clean the gown with expert precision in-house. If a so-called specialist says the gown will be sent away for cleaning, move on.

Ask The Right Questions

Ask your specialist what care will be taken concerning the delicate parts of your gown, such as the beadwork, trim, and other embellishments. Some solvents and other cleaning chemicals can cause beadwork and other delicate pieces to warp or melt.

Don't Store The Gown In  A Plastic Bag

Refrain from storing your wedding gown in a plastic bag, even if it is vacuum-sealed. Plastic bags emit fumes that can cause your dress to yellow over time, while shrink-wrap containers may hold moisture and cause mildew problems.

Stay Clear Of Extreme Temperatures

Store your wedding gown in a temperature-controlled area, not a space subject to extremes. This means keeping the dress out of your basement or attic.

How to Protect your dress from yellowing

Did you choose a beautiful wedding dress that makes you look and feel gorgeous? Most likely, you would like to keep it looking just as pristine as the day you brought it home.

Many brides choose to purchase their gowns months before the actual date of the wedding so that they can focus on other things leading up to the big day. Since planning a wedding can take so much time, it helps to have the dress all picked out and checked off the list before proceeding. It may also be easier to enlist the help of friends and family in assisting with choosing the dress if you all meet sooner rather than later.

However, now that you have your dress, you’ll need to find a way to store it safely without it turning yellow. Since wedding dresses are made of delicate fabrics, it is very easy for them to disintegrate. Plus, the dress is white, so every little imperfection will show.

But never fear, there are plenty of ways you can keep your dress from showing wear and tear from storage. Here are our top tips to help keep your dress from turning yellow before the big day.

Be Careful of Plastic Bags

Many boutiques will let you take your dress home in a plastic garment bag that will protect it from any damage or dirt on the drive home. However, this is not a long term storage solution. Plastic will trap moisture in with the dress, causing mold, mildew and discoloration. Instead, remove your dress from the plastic bag and put it in a box with tissue paper.

An Acid-Free Environment

You should also store your dress in acid-free materials. If you choose to store it in a box, make sure all of the box materials do not contain any acid, and use acid-free tissue paper to wrap the dress and prevent discoloration at the seams and folds. You should also keep your dress out of direct sunlight at all times. Instead, keep it in a cool, dry place with even temperatures.

Consider Preservation Services

After the wedding, you may want to look into wedding gown preservation services. These services will not only get your gown cleaned professionally, but will also provide a special box for you to store your dress so that it can be preserved as a family heirloom.

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.   

1.  Never wash your dress at home.

Washing your dress at home by yourself is a terrible idea. The washing machine will be too harsh and will most likely cause damage to the delicate fabrics. Furthermore, the detergent we use at home probably won’t get out the worst spots, or may even cause them to spread and look worse! Instead, get your dress cleaned by a professional who specializes in wedding dress preservation.

2.  Never wrap your dress in plastic

Plastic will trap moisture in with the dress and cause unsightly discoloration, mold and mildew. Instead, speak with a dress preservationist about acquiring a special box and tissue paper to store your dress properly.

3.  Don’t use a hanger

Hangers will cause a heavy dress to stretch in the shoulders and bodice. Instead, store your dress in a cool, dry place in a specialty preservation box made of acid-free materials.

4.  Keep your dress out of the sun

Never store your dress in direct sunlight. Why? Because the intense light will cause discoloration and make the dress look yellow instead of white. You should also store your dress in a cool, dry location such as under your bed. Don’t store it in the basement or the attic, where moisture and uneven temperatures can threaten its condition.

Additionally, you can consider meeting with a professional wedding gown preservationist to have the process done professionally. Then, you’ll be able to keep your dress looking just as perfectly white and gorgeous as the day you brought it home from the boutique. 

Want To Preserve Your Beautiful Wedding Dress? Dry Cleaning Method

Now that your wedding day has come and gone, you’re probably wondering what to do with your wedding dress. No doubt you want to keep it as fresh and beautiful as the day you put it on and went to the church to say your vows!

However, we are all human, and sometimes no matter how careful we are, our wedding dresses get stained and dirty anyway. While you may be heartbroken looking at your beautiful dress with stains and blemishes on it, know that help is available. You can have your dress professionally dry cleaned so that it looks like new again. Read on to learn about how you can preserve your beautiful wedding dress through dry cleaning.

What is dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a chemical process that does not involve water. For this reason, it’s a great choice for the delicate fabrics used in your wedding dress. For example, silk cannot be washed in water without being ruined.

There are two different types of dry cleaning, depending on different chemical processes. The first involves a chemical called perchloroethylene, or perc. It’s a harsh chemical that can ruin certain materials, so if your dress has any glue, beads or sequins, you may need to investigate  the other form of dry cleaning.

The other type is more gentle. It involves a petroleum-based chemical that is less harsh but might not get the worst stains out. Because it contains oil, this method will make your dress look lovely and shiny.

What are the advantages of dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning lets you remove stains that would otherwise be impossible to remove. You’ll be able to get all of those unsightly spots out, like wine, dirt, baby spit and cake frosting. While dry cleaning is strong enough to remove spots, it won’t destroy your gown, so you can preserve it for years to come.

Finally, who wants to do all that washing alone? You can hand your dress off to a professional and have him or her do all of the dirty work. No doubt you’re exhausted after planning a wedding and being the star of your own show during the ceremony and reception. Instead of cleaning your dress, you most likely want to enjoy your honeymoon and savor the first moments of married life. Instead, hand your dress off to a professional and get it dry cleaned. 

How to do Wedding Gown Cleaning at Home

Are you considering getting your wedding dress cleaned at home? While some people opt to have their dresses professionally cleaned after the big day, this can be costly in terms of both time and money. If there aren’t any egregious stains or marks, then it’s definitely possible to clean your dress by yourself. Not only will you save money, but you will also be able to have the satisfaction of doing the job yourself, in true DIY spirit! Read on to learn how to do a wedding gown cleaning at home.

Start with the Label

In the United States, all garments are required by law to put a label inside all articles of clothing that detail exactly how to clean the garment without causing damage. If you look on the inside of your wedding dress, you will find the label in question. Take a good look and read the directions carefully. Then, follow them to the letter.

Additionally, be aware that different types of fabrics require different types of cleaning processes. For example, polyester can be cleaned at home just by washing by hand, while silk requires a dry cleaning because water will ruin the fabric. Make sure you know what kind of material you’re working with before you proceed.

Cleaning Polyester

If your gown is polyester, you can wash it right in the bathtub. First, make sure your tub is completely clean and free of hairs, soap scum and dead skin cells, since these will definitely make your gown look unsightly.

Once the tub is clean, fill it about half-way to the top with lukewarm water and dissolve the amount of detergent needed for a small load of laundry. Then submerge the gown until it is completely underwater. Leave to soak for about 10-15 minutes, then drain the tub and fill again with lukewarm water to rinse, swirling the gown to get the soap out.

Finally, do not hang the gown to dry. All of those folds of fabric will be heavy when wet and will cause the bodice and shoulders to stretch. Instead, place it on a drying rack where you can spread it out to dry completely.

Once it’s dry, you can wear it again for a second reception or for a second photo shoot. Provided there are no major stains, it should look and feel like new. 

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!