By Kristi Kellogg, Brides
Today's brides have plenty of options for what to
do with their wedding gown post-"I do." Some donate or sell their gown,
others re-purpose their wedding dress into lingerie or cocktail attire, and others "trash it" with a wet n' wild photo shoot. Many brides, however, want to hang on to that dress that represents so much love, happiness and celebration.
That's
why wedding dress preservation is so important. A wedding dress is
usually intriciately designed and extremely delicate, and can't be
cleaned like any old dress. Wedding dress cleaning and preservation is
key to making sure you dress lasts a lifetime. Here are ten things you need to know about wedding dress preservation.
1. Wedding Dress Preservation and Standard Dry Cleaning are NOT the Same Thing
Unlike
one-size-fits-all dry-cleaning, wedding gown preservation begins with
an experienced specialist's assessment. The specialist creates a unique
treatment plan according to your dress's fabric, stitching and details,
and analyzes stains along them hem (which are essentially unavoidable on
a ground-grazing ensemble like a wedding gown) and entire dress.
Whatever the specialist comes up with will keep the give the dress new
life without harming the delicate fabric.
There
are, however, some dry cleaners who also offer specialized wedding
dress cleaning. You can use them, but make sure to vet their process
first. Make sure to find a dry cleaner who uses a virgin solvent rather
than a recycled solvent. Recycled solvents (which are used for typical
dry cleaning) contain impurities that can redeposit onto clothing and
leave your wedding dress with strange smell. Wedding dress cleaning and
preservation should only be done with virgin solvent.
Before
committing to any cleaner or preservationist, research their policies.
You want someone who guarantees they won't do any damage as they
preserve wedding dresses, and in the event any damage is done, look for a
guarantee that the cost of the dress (not
just the preservation) will be refunded. Furthermore, find out how long
they guarantee that thew wedding dress will remain pristine after their
preservation.
2. Invisible Stains Might Be Lurking on Your Wedding Gown
"Oddly, the most dangerous spills
are the ones you cannot see," says Sally Conant, of the Association of
Wedding Gown Specialists. "White wine and other things dry clear, and
these latent stains contain sugar that caramelizes over time into dark
brown stains that ordinary dry cleaning cannot remove. You may think
your gown is fine, but in six months or more, the latent stain becomes
pale yellow and then darkens as it ages. Heat accelerates the process."
Professional
cleaners and preservationists are trained to spot the unseen, of
course. They'll be able to deal with any stains on your wedding gown,
from the invisible to the visible. Did the hem get dirty from your
picture-perfect shots in a garden? Did someone slosh red wine on it? Did
an overzealous aunt smudge her foundation on it when she came in for a
hug? They'll create a treatment plan for each stain.
3. Pay Attention to the Label on Your Dress
This
is one label you don't want to ignore. Look for any specific dry
cleaning directions it might have, such as "Dry Clean Only with
Petroleum Solvent." Whatever it says, listen to it, and make sure the
preservationist or dry cleaner you choose has the appropriate cleaning
solutions for your wedding dress.
4. Time is of the Essence
Professional
cleaning is the first step in wedding dress preservation, and the
sooner you can get the wedding dress to the preservationist or the dry
cleaners, the better. Brides often wait up to six weeks to take their
dresses to be cleaned, and that's no good! By that time, stains will
have had time to really set it. Take your dress off as soon as the
reception is over and make sure it gets to the dry cleaner the very next
day. If you're jetting off on a honeymoon, arrange for a bridesmaid or your mother to take it for you!
5. The Wedding Dress Preservation Box is Sealed Airtight
A
preserved dress is typically stored in an airtight box where the oxygen
has been sucked out and replaced with nitrogen. This prevents oxidation
(aging, discoloration, etc.), which can happen to clothes that have
been stored for several years. Wedding gown specialists recommend that
you never break the seal, and if you do, that you should have it
preserved and sealed back up again. If you do, however, take it out for
some reason, make sure to handle the gown with white cotton gloves and
care.
6. Budget for Wedding Dress Preservation
Include
wedding dress preservation in your wedding budget. Considering the
average wedding preservation kit costs $250 to $750, it's a significant
expense!
7. Store the Wedding Dress in a Cool, Dark Place
Once
the wedding dress has been properly cleaned, it's time to store it.
Protect your dress from direct sunlight, which can quickly fade and turn
the dress yellow. Take it off the hanger, which can cause the heaviest
dresses to become misshapen. Whatever you do, [avoid storing your dress
in a regular, zip up-plastic bag! Plastic like that holds moisture and
can potentially discolor a wedding dress. The exception to this is
acid-free plastic, which wedding preservation boxes are made from. Go
with a professional wedding preservation box, or better yet, a wedding
chest.
"An acid-free wedding chest that
protects your gown from air and light is the safest way to store your
gown for many years to come," Conant advises. "Breathable bags provide
safe short-term storage, but long-term hanging is not good for you
gown."
8. Rules of Thumb for DIY Wedding Dress Preservation
If
you want to preserve your wedding dress yourself, following these
guidelines will set you up for success. (Just remember DIY wedding
preservation comes with no guarantee!)
Always use white cotton gloves when handling the wedding dress.
Before you go all-out cleaning the dress, spot test the fabric in an inconspicuous area just to make sure it's not going to harm the fabric.
Soft bristled brushes will help you get the job done. Pick up some gentle toothbrushes and have at it.
NEVER use bleach on your gown. The delicate fabric can be irreversibly damaged if you use this incredibly harsh chemical.
When the wedding gown is clean and dry, wrap it in acid-free tissue paper or pre-washed unbleached muslin. Avoid colored tissue paper as it can stain the dress over time. Place layers of tissue paper or muslin between the folds of the dress, as well, to avoid permanent creasing. Stuff the bust of the dress with tissue paper, as well, to maintain the full shape of the dress. If you dress has sleeves, that's another area where you will want to fill with tissue paper.
Place it in an acid-free container and store it in an area that is safe from harsh light or temperatures (think under a bed). You should also add silica desiccant packets inside the box for humidity control.
Before you go all-out cleaning the dress, spot test the fabric in an inconspicuous area just to make sure it's not going to harm the fabric.
Soft bristled brushes will help you get the job done. Pick up some gentle toothbrushes and have at it.
NEVER use bleach on your gown. The delicate fabric can be irreversibly damaged if you use this incredibly harsh chemical.
When the wedding gown is clean and dry, wrap it in acid-free tissue paper or pre-washed unbleached muslin. Avoid colored tissue paper as it can stain the dress over time. Place layers of tissue paper or muslin between the folds of the dress, as well, to avoid permanent creasing. Stuff the bust of the dress with tissue paper, as well, to maintain the full shape of the dress. If you dress has sleeves, that's another area where you will want to fill with tissue paper.
Place it in an acid-free container and store it in an area that is safe from harsh light or temperatures (think under a bed). You should also add silica desiccant packets inside the box for humidity control.
Don't store your gown in an attic, a garage, a basement or cellar, as temperatures and/or humidity in these ares can become extreme.
Check in on your dress every two or three years and refold it to further ensure no permanent creasing occurs.
9. Don't Forget Your Shoes and Bouquet
Like
your dress, the shoes you walked down the aisle in and the bouquet you
held also hold a lot of meaning. You can preserve both of these
alongside your gown, well. To preserve your wedding shoes by giving them
a good cleaning. For cloth shoes, use a gentle cloth and sponge and
lightly scrub your shoes with a mild detergent. For leather shoes, give
them a polish. If you really did a number on
your shoes, you can take them to a dry cleaner. After your shoes are
clean, wrap them in white tissue and place them in box.
Depending
on the type of material your shoes are, you may be able to include them
with your dress in the preservation box. Talk to your preservationist
about whether this is possible.
For bridal
bouquets, you can press, hang, coat the flowers in wax, or use epoxy
resin to preserve the blooms. (Get a breakdown of each process in How to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet).
10. Proceed Without Wedding Gown Preservation at Your Own Risk
If you choose not to preserve your wedding dress, you risk the following:
- yellowing of the fabric
- brown oxidation spots
- mold and mildew growth
- permanent fabric creasing
