Wedding Gown Care
 Your
beautiful bridal gown can be a very big investment. Most brides want
to preserve their gowns as a keepsake, perhaps even to be worn by
their own daughter many years from now (as a bridal gown, debutante
or formal). To preserve a gown's beauty, it is important for you to
take many factors into consideration at the time of purchase, while
you wear it, and later in cleaning and storage. If all the steps are
carefully considered, your gown can very likely be used for several
generations.
Inspection at Time of Purchase: Check to see if the trim (beads, sequins, lace) are glued on or sewn on. Many glues are soluable in drycleaning resulting in trim loss. Obtain specific cleaning care in- structions with purchase of gown. A care label should come with your gown, or the retailer should be able to supply these instructions. Wearing Your Gown: While wearing your gown, if you notice a spot or spill, try to ignore it. If you must try to remove the spot, place a white cloth underneath the spot and DAB with cold water with another white cloth. DO NOT RUB. After the Wedding: Time is of the essence. Have your wedding gown cleaned as soon as possible by a reputable dry cleaner. For best results, this should be within several weeks. Any long dress is going to sweep the floor and pick up dirt. Many soda, wine, champagne and prespiration stains are invisible until weeks or months later when they become difficult or impossible to remove. You should point out any unusual stains to your drycleaner, and if you know the source of the stain, identify it to the cleaner. Too often, the dress is 'temporarily' stored in an attic or back closet and then forgotten. Left unprotected, stains will set and oxidation will begin to yellow the dress. If you want your gown packaged in a protective storage box, you may want to first view your gown after cleaning. Most skilled cleaners use an acid-free box with acid-free tissue paper for storage. If your headpiece and veil has any metal, rubber or glue components, it should be wrapped and boxed separately after cleaning. Store the box(es) in a clean, cool, dry place with an even temperature, such as under the bed or in a closet. If you choose to store your gown on a hanger, sew straps to the waistline to relieve the pressure of the gown's weight from the shoulders. Wrap the entire garment in a protective muslin. Most experts recommend that the gowns are stored flat. With a little extra effort, your beloved wedding gown will remain a treasure for you and someone you love! Written with tips shared by Regency Cleaners and Medlin-Davis Cleaners. Photo by Bella Rose Photography. |