A lot of married ladies enjoy looking at their bridal gowns and remembering the stressful search for the perfect one.
One of your most treasured possessions from your wedding day will be your dress.
As a result, it's important to take a lot of factors into account when washing a wedding dress.
This will help you keep the dress in pristine condition and save the fabric, dye, and handwork of the dress's embellishments, among other things.
The majority of brides also keep their dresses to pass down to their daughters or other female relatives.
You should save your wedding dress even after the ceremony is over because, believe us, you will want to look at it and remember how much time and effort you put into finding your perfect gown.
There are a number of factors to think about when cleaning your wedding dress, including the fabric, the colour, and any ornamentation or other delicate aspects.
Here are some maintenance tips to help you keep it in pristine condition after each cleaning.
Do: Consult a Professional
Ask the designer or sales associate where you purchased your wedding dress how to care for the intricate details.
This way, you may safely wash your beautiful dress without fear of spoiling it.
You should enquire with the bridal shop associate or the designer about the care that has to be taken for any decorations or delicate trims on your wedding dress.
Now that you have this knowledge, you may safely wash your stunning wedding dress without fear of destroying it.
Do: Check If There are Spots
The best method of stain removal will depend on the type of stain.
Therefore, you need first determine whether the spot on your dress is grease or water based.
There will always be stains on your wedding dress, no matter how carefully you try to protect it.
Don't risk making the situation worse by attempting to cure the stains yourself.
Use of chemical cleaners risks setting stains deeply into the fabric and weakening the gown's fibres.
To restore your dress to its former glory, have it cleaned at a dry cleaner.
They use chemicals that are safe for the fabric and may eliminate the stains without damaging the fabric.
Do: Handle Your Dress With Care
If you went for a dress with intricate features like guipure or embroidery with glittering gemstones, there are many minor things that need your extra care and attention.
These items require a hand wash.
If you don't feel like dealing with the hassle, you can always take it to your local, reputable laundry service and have them do it for you.
Do: Make Sure You Dry It Properly!
When your bridal gown has been washed, always return it to the hangers it came with.
The dress's shape will be preserved with this method.
Before putting your garment in the dryer, you should check with the label or the store where you bought it to determine whether it is suitable to do so and if so, at what temperature.
If you must wash your dress, you should probably hang it outside to dry.
Do: Check the Label
Finding out what textiles were used in the wedding dress is essential for washing it properly.
Silk is another option, as is 100% polyester. If the fabric is silk, you should only wash it in lukewarm water.
Silk can either contract or expand depending on the temperature of the water used.
You can find all sorts of expert advice for maintaining your wedding dress, but nothing beats the basic care instructions printed on the label.
Before you get your wedding dress cleaned, make sure you have read these guidelines carefully.
These specifics will be factored in by your dry cleaner as they formulate a preservation strategy specifically for you.
Don’t: Assume You Can Wash Your Wedding Dress
Wedding dresses are delicate, so it would be foolish to assume you know how to care for them because you've done so before with other clothing. You probably aren't a fabric specialist, and if you select a treatment or approach that ends up damaging your clothing, it will be too late to fix it.
Don’t: Handle Every Stain The Same Way
Every stain is different and requires a special method of removal.
There are a variety of home cures you might try, but it's not always clear whether or not they'll be safe for the fabric of your dress.
Experts can remove every kind of stain, from red wine and chocolate to oil and grease, so it's best to let them do it.
Don't worry, it's not your fault if you end up with a ruined dress on your big day.
If you want to make the most of your wedding day, you should always keep in mind that it will only happen once.
In the unfortunate event that you manage to stain your dress, there are a number of solutions at your disposal.
Get the word out by asking loved ones for recommendations on a reliable dry cleaner to remove that stain from your garment.
Don’t: Throw Everything in the Washing Machine
Your wedding dress needs to be cleaned before you can either put it away in storage or return it to the bridal shop if you rented it.
Regardless, don't trust your trusty washing machine to clean your wedding gown.
First, if you're renting a wedding dress and still want your money back after the wedding, don't ruin the dress.
To ensure that you receive your full security deposit, it is a policy that the rented item be returned in the same condition in which it was received.
Avoid the hassle of worrying about a damage deposit by having the professionals clean your rented wedding dress.
Second, if you've just purchased your dream wedding gown and want to keep it in pristine condition for future use, calling a preservation firm where they'll have it cleaned before they conduct the preservation is the easiest and most convenient option.
You may kill two birds with one stone by doing this, and it will be the most practical next step after the wedding.
You and your new husband are allowed to put all your attention on the honeymoon.
Don’t: Just Hang It Up
Do not use any old hanger to store your bridal gown in the hopes of keeping it in pristine condition.
It's true that you shouldn't lay it flat because of lack of room, and you shouldn't fold it because of creases, but you also shouldn't just hang it up.
Do not risk destroying your wedding dress's shape by hanging it wet without using the loops provided; it will be impossible to recover the dress's natural form after the shape has been ruined.
Don’t: Use Bleach on Your Dress
Not all fabrics can be bleached. Bleach can cause irreversible harm to silk, wool, spandex, leather, and some synthetic textiles, so you should never use it on them.
It should say "bleach-safe" or include a triangle symbol on the care label if you want to bleach your garment.
When the triangle icon has three lines drawn across it, only bleach without chlorine should be used.
Bleach should not be used on the fabric if the triangular is solid or contains an "X" through it.
Ivory, porcelain, frost, and frosty are all examples of different tints of white. If you don't want the dress to turn a chalky white tone, you must not bleach an ivory-colored gown to remove stains.
Worst case scenario would be your ivory white dress will turn yellow when you use bleach to clean it and you don’t want that to happen to your precious dress.
Keep Your Wedding Gown Safe
Your wedding dress should never be stored in the same closet as your everyday clothing.
Weighty bridal gowns can distort when hung, and leaving the fabric unprotected can cause wear and tear from contact with the environment or other materials.
An inexpensive solution is a garment bag, but if you have the means, I would recommend investing in a waterproof chest or box instead.
The garment should be stored carefully in a container or chest after being wrapped in a pre-washed, neutral-colored fabric.
It would be disastrous if the dress were wrapped in a vivid printed cloth or paper and the colour leached into the garment.
If you want to keep your garment in pristine condition, you should keep the box it came in in a dry, cool place.
Find a Dry Cleaner Who Has Experience With Preservation
A wedding dress requires special preservation procedures that are not the same as regular dry cleaning.
Find someone who has worked with bridal gown preservation before.
These professionals can create a washing and preservation plan tailored to the needs of your wedding dress.
Preserving a wedding gown requires scheduling an appointment with a dry cleaner and preservationist in advance, at which time you may be asked to bring the garment in for inspection.
This will allow them to tailor a maintenance schedule to your dress's specific construction, fabric, and other elements.
Time Is of the Essence; Don’t Put It off Any Longer
A stain becomes more difficult to remove the longer it has been there.
For this reason, it's crucial that you act quickly to detect and remove any stains.
After the wedding is complete, remove your dress so it can be cleaned or professionally cleaned the following day.
If you need to rush off on your honeymoon, have a friend or cousin take it in.
Lack of promptness in getting the wedding gown dry cleaned and kept is a common regret amongst brides.
There is a potential six-week wait time for this service for some customers.
The materials can get permanently damaged by unseen stains because of this delay.
Dark browning and fragile areas on the fabric will become apparent over time. Unfortunately, these issues are permanent.
As soon as the celebrations are over, it is suggested that the bride remove her wedding attire.
This will stop any further discoloration or destruction.
Figure out how you'll get your wedding gown to the cleaners in the 48 hours after the big day.
This allows the expert cleaner to go to work on any spots that may have been made during the celebrations before they are permanently set into the cloth.
You could be able to arrange with your professional cleaner for someone else to bring them the gown within the allotted time frame if you are incapable of doing so yourself.
The Wedding Gown: An Expense Worth Making
Your wedding dress is an investment worth making despite the fact that it will only be worn once. The adorable niece or future daughter in law can inherit it.
Having them see you in your wedding dress is one of the most anticipated moments of the big day. You obviously put in a lot of effort looking for the perfect dress.
It's not easy to perceive its value diminishing after you've found it.
Be sure to factor in the maintenance of your wedding gown into your post-ceremony preparations so that you won't have to say goodbye to it too soon.
For a more carefree honeymoon with your new hubby, one of the most time-efficient things you can do for yourself is to have professionals take care of your treasured wedding dress.
After the wedding and honeymoon are over, you won't have to worry about the well-being of the dress that helped fulfil your aspirations because you'll know that it is being properly cared for.
Since most wedding gowns are expensive investments, proper care and cleaning need expert knowledge.
Properly preserving your garment will ensure that it looks as good as the day you bought it even decades from now.
If you want to wash your dress, you should ask an expert beforehand and only use the cleaning products they approve of.
If you're still unsure, it's best to have a professional launderer handle your garment to protect the delicate fabrics and intricate features.
MyDressBox is are wedding dress cleaning and preservation specialists servicing all major cities in Australia and New Zealand, including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Geelong and many more.
Conclusion
When deciding how to launder your wedding dress, you need to keep a few things in mind.
The fabric, the colour, the embellishments, and everything else that might be too delicate to be overlooked fall into this category.
Your garment can be cleaned to look as good as new by taking it to a dry cleaner.
How best to get rid of a stain is condition specific. It would be a mistake to presume you know how to properly care for a wedding dress.
It's unlikely that you're a fabric expert, and if you choose a treatment or method that ends up ruining your clothing, there won't be a second chance.
It takes a different approach to removing each type of stain.
The most stubborn stains, from oil and grease to red wine and chocolate, are no match for the skill of a professional cleaner. Instead of washing everything, find a good dry cleaner by asking around.
Contact a preservation company and they will arrange for cleaning services prior to preserving the item.
Avoid keeping wedding dresses amongst your regular garments. Silk, wool, spandex, leather, and some synthetic materials are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of bleach.
A garment bag is a low-cost option, but if you have the means, a waterproof chest or box is a much better choice.
Booking a dry cleaner and preservationist in advance is essential for keeping a wedding dress in pristine condition.
This service may have a six-week waiting period for some consumers.
Plan how you will get your wedding dress to the cleaners in the two days following the ceremony.
The condition of your wedding gown can be kept as close to when you first got it as possible with regular washing and preservation.
If you need help cleaning, make sure to get the OK from a professional first.
Have a competent launderer take care of your clothing if you have any doubts.
Content Summary
- To restore your dress to its former glory, have it cleaned at a dry cleaner.
- If you must wash your dress, you should probably hang it outside to dry.
- If the fabric is silk, you should only wash it in lukewarm water.
- Before you get your wedding dress cleaned, make sure you have read these guidelines carefully.
- Every stain is different and requires a special method of removal.
- Get the word out by asking loved ones for recommendations on a reliable dry cleaner to remove that stain from your garment.
- Regardless, don't trust your trusty washing machine to clean your wedding gown.
- Avoid the hassle of worrying about a damage deposit by having the professionals clean your rented wedding dress.
- Do not use any old hanger to store your bridal gown in the hopes of keeping it in pristine condition.
- Not all fabrics can be bleached.
- It should say "bleach-safe" or include a triangle symbol on the care label if you want to bleach your garment.
- Your wedding dress should never be stored in the same closet as your everyday clothing.
- If you want to keep your garment in pristine condition, you should keep the box it came in in a dry, cool place.
- Find someone who has worked with bridal gown preservation before.
- These professionals can create a washing and preservation plan tailored to the needs of your wedding dress.
- Preserving a wedding gown requires scheduling an appointment with a dry cleaner and preservationist in advance, at which time you may be asked to bring the garment in for inspection.
- After the wedding is complete, remove your dress so it can be cleaned or professionally cleaned the following day.
- Lack of promptness in getting the wedding gown dry cleaned and kept is a common regret amongst brides.
- Figure out how you'll get your wedding gown to the cleaners in the 48 hours after the big day.
- The adorable niece or future daughter in law can inherit it.
- You obviously put in a lot of effort looking for the perfect dress.
- Be sure to factor in the maintenance of your wedding gown into your post-ceremony preparations so that you won't have to say goodbye to it too soon.
- For a more carefree honeymoon with your new hubby, one of the most time-efficient things you can do for yourself is to have professionals take care of your treasured wedding dress.
- After the wedding and honeymoon are over, you won't have to worry about the well-being of the dress that helped fulfil your aspirations because you'll know that it is being properly cared for.
- Since most wedding gowns are expensive investments, proper care and cleaning need expert knowledge.
FAQS ABOUT WEDDING DRESS CLEANING
How long does it take to clean a wedding dress?
Wedding dresses can take anything from a few days to a month to dry clean, depending on the number of layers and the volume of business at the dry cleaner. A good dry cleaning for a wedding gown must take two to three days, provided you get lucky and the store isn't crowded.
Can a wedding dress be cleaned 2 years later?
Don't stress if your gown is a bit dated or if you haven't had a chance to take it to the cleaners yet, even if it's been a few weeks or months since the big day. Although it's best to have a wedding dress cleaned and preserved as soon as possible, it's never too late.
Do I have to dry clean my wedding dress?
Cleaning your wedding dress before the big day is not a problem as long as you give yourself plenty of time to do it and choose a reliable cleaner. If the garment is in pristine shape, there's no reason to have it cleaned.
What is the point of preserving a wedding dress?
Wedding dress preservation is convenient because it allows for easier long-term storage of your dress. Protecting a wedding gown from the effects of time and the elements means that it won't stretch or yellow, and it also protects it from any potential stains or wear.
What happens if you wash dry clean only?
It's possible that the garment will shrink, and not just a bit. Drapes can shrink by as much as 50%, while some garments can shrink by as much as 3-4 sizes. Your garment may lose its original form as it stretches.