Your wedding dress holds memories of one of the most important days of your life, and it deserves proper care after the celebration. If you wish to pass it on to the next generation or sell it to another bride, you should immediately start taking appropriate measures to preserve the gown's beauty.
Wedding gowns, especially those made from lace, satin, or any other delicate material, and the beads used in the gown need extra care. If the material is not washed as soon as possible, then makeup stains, food stains, or even sweat stains can become permanent, while improper storage of the garment can lead to the fabric becoming yellow and brittle. When choosing the suitable cleaning and proper storage method, you do not undermine the dress’s worth and ensure it remains clean and fresh.
How do you clean, preserve, and store your wedding dress after the wedding? Read on to find out.
Cleaning Your Dress
Cleaning your wedding dress immediately after your big day is the best way to preserve it. It removes makeup, food, and sweat stains before they become permanent stains on the garment's fabric. Soft and delicate fabrics or those with intricate details, like laces and beadings, could be damaged if left in contact with dirt and oils for too long.
Choosing between hand, machine, or spot washing your wedding dress is difficult. The first step is to read the gown’s label for specific instructions. Remember that you should never put your dress directly in the washing machine. Even with hand washing or a large machine, your dress's snaps, beads, hooks, or bustles could snag in the machine's interior and cause tears or rips. However, some dresses made from less fancy fabric may be washed in a washing machine if the label on the dress allows it, but you should do it with a lot of precaution.
Let us look at each type of cleaning.
Hand Washing
Cleaning your wedding dress requires carefully protecting its fabric and details. Hand washing allows you to maintain control over the process. You can protect sensitive fabrics such as silk, lace, or chiffon.
Start by rinsing an empty sink with cold water and then pouring in a small amount of a gentle washing liquid designed for washing lingerie. Soak the dress and wash areas most likely to get dirty, like the bottom or underarms. Refrain from twisting the fabric since doing so could harm the fabric.
Once you are done, wash the dress with cold water to remove all soap. Place it on a towel to eliminate as much water as possible, then hang it on a padded hanger and let it dry naturally away from the sun.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning becomes a practical choice if your dress has only minor stains. Most minor stains, like makeup or dirt, can be handled with mild detergent or other soda water or vinegar remedies. Always test your cleaning solution on an inner seam to see if it will harm the material.
After it has dried, lightly brush the stained area with a toothbrush or cloth. When washing the stain, rinse it properly, pat the dress with a clean, damp cloth, and allow it to dry before storing it.
Machine Wash
If your dress is made from more durable fabrics, you can use a washing machine. Proceed with caution and only if the care label permits. Put the dress in a mesh laundry bag and wash it in the delicate or hand wash cycle with cold water and gentle, non-fragranced soap.
Cold water is used to clean the fabric to avoid shrinkage of the fabric used to make the garment.
Wash the dress, and as soon as it is done, take it off and let it dry on a flat surface or use a padded hanger to dry it. Do not use the dryer, as it may damage the fabric and the embellishments.
When in doubt, it is best to rely on professional cleaners who specialize in handling wedding gowns.
Preserving Your Wedding Dress
You can either preserve your wedding dress or have a professional handle it.
Preserving Your Wedding Dress Using Professionals
Professionals who preserve wedding gowns employ various techniques to ensure that the gown is well preserved in the long run. One of these techniques is the use of ultraviolet light scans. These scans enable someone to see invisible stains to the naked eye, like sweat, oils, or sugars, which may cause discoloration or staining over time. Specialists eliminate these latent stains and avoid future discoloration, yellowing, or deterioration of the fabric.
Apart from UV light scans, yellowing (chemical degradation of the original fabric that leads to discoloration) is one of the major concerns professionals address. Delicate fabrics like silk or satin are sensitive to air, light, or improper storage exposure. Experts use special treatments and materials, including select papers like acid-free tissue paper, to counter any compounds that could cause discoloration.
Another critical step in the preservation process is removing wrinkles. Every bride knows wedding gowns with tulle, lace, or complicated beading can easily wrinkle during transportation or storage. Experts employ gentle steaming or pressing methods to smooth the gown and regain its original shape without further damaging the fabric and additional accessories.
After the dress has been washed and repaired to its best condition, it is packed in a preservation box. These boxes are usually manufactured from acid-free materials to prevent the dress from developing a yellow color or even fading due to some chemical reactions. The box keeps the gown away from light, dust, and moisture. Thus, the gown will remain fresh for many years. Some preservation boxes also come with a clear lid through which you can look at your dress without risking its deterioration due to exposure to environmental conditions.
Preserving Your Wedding Dress at Home
When preserving your wedding dress yourself, you need to follow certain tips, including handling the dress carefully. Buy white cotton gloves to use when handling the fabric to avoid leaving fingerprints. This reduces the chances of the oils and dirt on your hands coming into contact with the gown, which may lead to discoloration or tearing.
After handling the dress, preserving the accessories is the next thing to consider. Some accessories, including veils, tiaras, and shoes, may require different types of cleaning and care, and if they come into contact with the dress, they risk damage. These accessories should be stored in small acid-free containers or bags to avoid getting damaged.
While wrapping the dress, use acid-free tissue paper free from lignin. This assists in retaining the gown's shape and possibly discoloring or weakening the fabric. Put the wrapped dress into the prepared storage box, and it is recommended that silica desiccant packets be added to control humidity. You also need to ensure that the house is well-dried to avoid the growth of mildew and mold, which could damage the fabric.
Storing Your Wedding Gown
The last and arguably the most important process of preserving your wedding dress is storage since this will determine the dress’ future state. Choose the correct box for storing the gown and the other clothing items. Select a box made from materials that do not contain acid and lignin, as these can chemically react with the fabric. The box should be spacious enough to contain the dress so it does not crease or develop unnecessary folds. This is important because it maintains the gown's shape and avoids any mishaps, including creasing, in case the gown is mishandled.
Choose a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. It should be cool, dark, and dry. Avoid areas that may accumulate moisture or are exposed to high humidity because this will cause the fabric to degrade.
Sometimes, you would want to alter your wedding dress for future use. You can seek professional help. These experts will guide you through various options to repurpose your gown practically and meaningfully. Many brides convert their wedding dress into a cocktail dress, shortening it to create a stylish and casual outfit for special occasions. This way, you can continue to wear your gown long after the wedding. Others prefer to turn parts of the dress into keepsakes, like decorative pillows or baby blankets, preserving the sentimental value in a new form.
If you plan to wear your dress again for a vow renewal or a second wedding, a good boutique can adjust the gown to suit a different style or theme. They will alter the neckline, sleeves, or embellishments to give it a fresh look while maintaining its original charm.
Find a Los Angeles Wedding Dress Boutique Near Me
Taking care of your wedding dress after the wedding is essential since it is one of the most memorable events in your life. By washing, drying, and proper storage, you can maintain the beauty and elegance of the gown as you saw it at your wedding. You can turn to a wedding boutique for assistance. Most have specialists or can recommend professionals who can help you maintain your dress in the best condition. They can help you clean the items, give you the best preservation materials, and recommend the best way to store them.
Keep the spark of your big day with the expert help from Beautiful Day Wedding. Contact us today at 213-386-1900 to explore our huge selection of dresses to choose from or visit our Los Angeles store.
