The wedding dress is one of the most emotionally significant purchases a woman will make.
Regardless of the cost, these dresses are considered heirlooms and should be kept as such if they are to be passed down to be worn by or serve as inspiration for a future generation.
Think of the daughter, daughter-in-law, or family member who might want to wear your wedding dress, incorporate a piece of it into their own, or create a christening gown out of your vintage lace or silk.
Unfortunately, storage wear and tear on delicate textiles can cause a white or pale pink dress to turn yellow and damage the dress's delicate embroidery and other decorative accents.
We enlisted the help of two of the most well-known cleaners and preservationists in the business to share their knowledge on how to take care of your wedding gown before, during, and after the big day.
Expert advice on how to store and protect your wedding gown.
What Is Preservation Of A Gown?
You must take the necessary steps to preserve your wedding dress if you want it to last a lifetime.
Connoisseurs offer a comprehensive preservation service, during which a wedding dress is carefully cleaned and stored in a gorgeous, handcrafted preservation box.
The boxes are composed of a material that allows airflow while blocking out light, are solid enough to prevent damage in the event of an accident, and are lined with fine acid-free tissue.
As a result, the item is more protected, won't fade or yellow with time, and is easier to store if you do this.
What Is The Difference Between Gown Preservation And Standard Dry Cleaning?
The techniques of preservation and dry cleaning couldn't be more dissimilar.
But, unfortunately, professional cleaning after the wedding won't do much for the longevity of your wedding dress; if you think you can get it done and move on, you're skipping an important step.
According to the Bridal Specialist, dry cleaning entails using chemicals in the affected regions to remove dirt and stains.
Once the garment has been cleaned, it is wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and stored in a special archive that is kept at a constant temperature and humidity.
Preserving your dress is the right thing to do after the wedding because it ensures that your dress will be stored in a dry, watertight environment for the foreseeable future.
When Should You Choose To Preserve Your Wedding Dress?
If you're wondering how long you can wait before you need to resort to the preservation, know that it can get more difficult to get the stains cleansed the longer you wait.
Your expensive outfit is vulnerable to the effects of heat and oxidation.
Some professionals claim that if dirt and stains aren't removed promptly, they can cause fibre oxidation and permanent harm to the clothing.
The oxidation process can be slowed, and more time can be given to investigating potential cleaning and preservation alternatives by temporarily storing the gown in a cool, dry, and dark place before giving it to gown preservation services.
After What Time Period Should A Wedding Gown Be Preserved? How Long Can You Wait?
Damage from sunshine and oxidation increases with delay. As time passes, a stain or soil will react with the fibres in a textile, causing the yarns to oxidise.
This will change the textile's chemistry, making it more difficult to remove the stain or soil safely.
The oxidation process can be slowed, and the window of time before cleaning increases if the dress is stored in a cool, dark, dry place after the wedding but before it is cleaned.
They recommend that clients not wait longer than 3 to 6 months after the wedding before viewing the dress.
Not all stains show up right away, so keep that in mind. Wedding dress fabrics are notorious dirt magnets, so getting a head start on preservation is important.
Remember that sugar alcohols and chloride salts can aggressively deteriorate fabrics, and even if you thought you cleaned it properly, the stains will set and could result in irreversible damage.
Why do Brides Choose An Expert Over A Local Dry Cleaner?
The preservation and care of wedding gowns is a delicate process that should be left to the hands of experts.
This is not your average dress, and conventional dry-cleaning methods would do more harm than good.
In addition, your dress's delicate fabrics, beads, or sequins could be damaged and lose their colour and shape if not handled properly (if there are any).
After The Wedding, What Should The Bride Do With Her Dress?
Keep the dress in its cover and out of the light until you are ready to call a preservation specialist unless it has become wet or badly ruined.
The sooner washing and treatment of the garment begins once it becomes wet or stained, the higher the likelihood of a successful strain treatment.
How Should A Preserved Wedding Dress Be Stored?
The box where your gown will arrive has been approved for long-term preservation, but remember that even "acid-free" cardboard might re-acidify over time.
In addition, you can't use any old box for your storage needs since cardboard absorbs moisture and becomes a breeding ground for mould and mildew.
Our custom-made containers are constructed from the same material used to house their vintage wardrobes.
Dresses are kept in a fluted polypropylene textile storage box that meets all archival standards. As a non-absorbent polymer that is chemically inert, it offers superior resistance to temperature and humidity changes and prevents moisture buildup.
The box containing your protected garment should be stored flat and upright when the preservation packing process is complete.
Store your container in a room that stays at a temperature of between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of between 50 and 55 per cent, or a climate-controlled area.
Steer clear of hot, sunny spots.
Do not keep a dress where the temperature rises and falls drastically, such as in a cellar or attic.
Condensation may form as the temperature drops, which could slow down the preservation process.
Experts recommend opening the box and evaluating the robe sometimes in case any abrupt stains, element exposure, and other issues go untreated for too long.
The oils and salts easily damage dresses on your skin, so be careful when removing them from the box.
Get your hands clean and put on some white gloves if possible. Take the dress out of the box and observe how it was folded.
It's impossible to close your clothing box while preserving it entirely.
Mould and mildew will grow in the sealed box, damaging the dress's fibres and making it look shabby.
Also, if you seal a box and then open it, the oxygen in the box will be re-oxygenated very quickly, which is bad for the fibres within.
What Questions Should Brides Ask While Looking For A Trustworthy Dry-Cleaning Service?
Firstly, do they have adequate insurance to replace the dress if something were to happen to it?
Do they take before and after images to double-check the fit, colour, and shape of the garment, as well as the placement of embellishments, such as beads or sequins?
Also, remember that not even experts can't promise that all stains will come out or that embellishments like beads and sequins won't fall off during washing.
Which Place Should A Wedding Dress Be Stored Prior To Use?
It's usually important to take special care of a new dress after purchase, but in the wake of the recent epidemic, many brides have had to store their dresses for postponed nuptials while waiting for changes.
Never hang a dress, specifically one with a voluminous skirt or decorations, for an extended time after purchasing it or in between alterations.
If you hang the dress for a long time without draping the skirt, the neckline and length will stretch and distort.
The dress should be carefully stored away from direct sunlight and any other sources of damage, such as spills or dust.
Since brides keep their gowns for far longer than expected until the new wedding date, a crisp white sheet, some fresh towels, and some string or twine are all required.
Some Fabrics Are Better At Preservation Than Others
Wedding dresses are commonly crafted from silk, polyester, and other non-woven embellishments; each has its benefits and drawbacks.
Consequently, preserving items with small components like beads and rhinestones can be tricky.
Metals are naturally unstable and can lead to preservation concerns, including accelerated oxidation and discolouration; for example, silver foil is commonly used as an insert in beads.
In addition, it's common knowledge that silk can easily be stained or ruined by the weather.
Synthetics and polyester, on the other hand, are preferable alternatives. As a result, the rates at which various fabrics fade and contract vary greatly.
Select A Professional Wedding Dress Preservation Service
Following cleaning the bridal gown, the next step is to preserve it.
It is highly suggested that you have it professionally conserved to prevent damage from dust, spills, stains, permanent creases, mould, and oxidation.
Suppose you have wanted to keep your wedding dress in pristine condition for years.
In that case, vacuum sealing may be the best option among the several preservation techniques offered by wedding dress businesses.
When oxygen is removed before storage, oxidation, which can cause discolouration, is prevented.
Wedding dresses can be preserved in a number of ways; some include vacuum sealing, while others employ acid-free boxes or polymers that block off air and light.
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
It is important to preserve wedding clothes for future generations.
It's hardly likely that having your wedding dress professionally cleaned will do much to extend its life after the big day.
However, you may rest assured that your dress will be kept in pristine condition for years to come if you have it preserved.
Maintaining a wedding dress is a delicate task best left to professionals. Stains and soils react with textile fibres over time, oxidising the yarns.
The chemical makeup of the fabric will shift, making it more challenging to clean the stain without damaging the fabric.
A fluted polypropylene textile storage box that conforms to archival standards is used to house the dresses.
The fibres will be damaged by the growth of mould and mildew in the sealed box.
Keep your container in a cool (between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit) dry place.
Silk, polyester, and other non-woven fabrics are frequently used in the construction of bridal gowns.
Therefore, there is a wide range of fabrics' fading and shrinking times.
Therefore, vacuum sealing and acid-free boxes are only two options for preserving wedding gowns.
Content Summary
- The wedding dress is one of the most emotionally significant purchases a woman will make.
- Think of the daughter, daughter-in-law, or family member who might want to wear your wedding dress, incorporate a piece of it into their own, or create a christening gown out of your vintage lace or silk.
- Unfortunately, storage wear and tear on delicate textiles can cause a white or pale pink dress to turn yellow and damage the dress's delicate embroidery and other decorative accents.
- We enlisted the help of two of the most well-known cleaners and preservationists in the business to share their knowledge on how to take care of your wedding gown before, during, and after the big day.
- Expert advice on how to store and protect your wedding gown.
- You must take the necessary steps to preserve your wedding dress if you want it to last a lifetime.
- Connoisseurs offer a comprehensive preservation service, during which a wedding dress is carefully cleaned and stored in a gorgeous, handcrafted preservation box.
- The techniques of preservation and dry cleaning couldn't be more dissimilar.
- But, unfortunately, professional cleaning after the wedding won't do much for the longevity of your wedding dress; if you think you can get it done and move on, you're skipping an important step.
- Preserving your dress is the right thing to do after the wedding because it ensures that your dress will be stored in a dry, watertight environment for the foreseeable future.
- If you're wondering how long you can wait before you need to resort to the preservation, know that it can get more difficult to get the stains cleansed the longer you wait.
- Your expensive outfit is vulnerable to the effects of heat and oxidation.
- Some professionals claim that if dirt and stains aren't removed promptly, they can cause fibre oxidation and permanent harm to the clothing.
- The oxidation process can be slowed, and more time can be given to investigating potential cleaning and preservation alternatives by temporarily storing the gown in a cool, dry, and dark place before giving it to gown preservation services.
- Damage from sunshine and oxidation increases with delay.
- The oxidation process can be slowed, and the window of time before cleaning increases if the dress is stored in a cool, dark, dry place after the wedding but before it is cleaned.
- They recommend that clients not wait longer than 3 to 6 months after the wedding before viewing the dress.
- Wedding dress fabrics are notorious dirt magnets, so getting a head start on preservation is important.
- The preservation and care of wedding gowns is a delicate process that should be left to the hands of experts.
- In addition, your dress's delicate fabrics, beads, or sequins could be damaged and lose their colour and shape if not handled properly (if there are any). Keep the dress in its cover and out of the light until you are ready to call a preservation specialist unless it has become wet or badly ruined.
- The box where your gown will arrive has been approved for long-term preservation, but remember that even "acid-free" cardboard might re-acidify over time.
- In addition, you can't use any old box for your storage needs since cardboard absorbs moisture and becomes a breeding ground for mould and mildew.
- Dresses are kept in a fluted polypropylene textile storage box that meets all archival standards.
- The box containing your protected garment should be stored flat and upright when the preservation packing process is complete.
- Store your container in a room that stays at a temperature of between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of between 50 and 55 per cent, or a climate-controlled area.
- Do not keep a dress where the temperature rises and falls drastically, such as in a cellar or attic.
- Take the dress out of the box and observe how it was folded.
- It's impossible to close your clothing box while preserving it entirely.
- Mould and mildew will grow in the sealed box, damaging the dress's fibres and making it look shabby.
- Firstly, do they have adequate insurance to replace the dress if something were to happen to it?
- It's usually important to take special care of a new dress after purchase, but in the wake of the recent epidemic, many brides have had to store their dresses for postponed nuptials while waiting for changes.
- Never hang a dress, specifically one with a voluminous skirt or decorations, for an extended time after purchasing it or in between alterations.
- If you hang the dress for a long time without draping the skirt, the neckline and length will stretch and distort.
- The dress should be carefully stored away from direct sunlight and any other sources of damage, such as spills or dust.
- Consequently, preserving items with small components like beads and rhinestones can be tricky.
- Following cleaning the bridal gown, the next step is to preserve it.
- Suppose you have wanted to keep your wedding dress in pristine condition for years.
- Wedding dresses can be preserved in a number of ways; some include vacuum sealing, while others employ acid-free boxes or polymers that block off air and light.
FAQs About Preserve Wedding Dress
What Does It Mean To Preserve A Wedding Dress?
A preserved wedding dress is one that has been cleaned and stored in a special way to extend the life of its beauty. The preservation process lessens the likelihood of the gown turning yellow from oxidation and mould forming.
Where Do You Store Your Wedding Dress After It's Preserved?
To extend the life of your preservation efforts, store your dress in a dust-free, climate-controlled environment that is out of the reach of children and animals.
Inconsistent temperatures mean you should stay away from your attic or basement.
Your garment can fade, grow mildew, and get ruined by exposure to the sun, humidity, and oil from your fingertips. Keep your dress as level as possible when repositioning it, and store it flat with the right side up.
Can I Look At My Dress After It Is Preserved?
Absolutely! Regularly removing the dress from its packaging and inspecting it is recommended.
Keep in mind that the natural oils on your skin might ruin the fabric of the wedding dress, so be sure to wash and dry your hands completely before touching the garment.
You can get your dress out of the box more easily if you slide your hands under it and hoist it up as one piece. As you unpack the gown, make a mental note of how it was folded for storage.
How Should You Clean Your Wedding Dress?
A bridal dress requires special care when being cleaned. The garment is made of higher-quality fabrics and will put the dry cleaner through more than normal. It's much more work than ironing a dress shirt to get the dirt, champagne, and happy tears out of a high-quality designer gown.
While some dry cleaners may be willing to clean your wedding dress, you will likely need a professional cleaner.
What Stains Are Removed When Your Wedding Dress Is Preserved?
When they clean wedding gowns, they can remove about 95% of the stains. If a particularly stubborn stain is discovered, every effort is made to get the stain out of the gown without damaging the fabric.
Mud, dirt, grass, grease, food, blood, tar, and sugar stains like cake icing, wine, and other liquids are all examples of common stains that can be successfully cleaned.