Care and Cleaning of Your precious wedding gown!

You finally found it…

The perfect dress, the one you’ve fantasized about since you were a little girl!

And it’s everything you envisioned – layers and layers of exquisite fabric in a sophisticated style that flatters your figure.

On your wedding day, you’ll walk down the aisle looking absolutely radiant. You’ve invested so much of your heart, time and money in your wedding dress, and you want it to last forever. Here is a complete guide to caring for your gown…

A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Gown:
Before, During & After Your Wedding Day

When your gown leaves our boutique:

TRANSPORT your gown in a vehicle where you can lay down the back seat. Your gown needs space as long as the gown with the train down.  Your gown will be in a bust form & extra long bag, this helps eliminate the need for extra pressing or steaming.

HANG your gown as high as possible when you get home, perhaps a door frame. Leave in the bag to prevent dust or bugs from landing on your gown. Open the bottom of the bag and spread the train out to avoid wrinkles ~ lay a clean sheet on the floor if the bag is not big enough.

AVOID hanging your gown from a light fixture or ceiling fan. Accidental burns & damage can occur.

STEAM your gown ONLY if your gown needs it and the fabric can handle it! When traveling long distances with your gown, it may need to be touched up. If you cannot have it professionally pressed when you arrive at your location, make sure you use a white, flat sheet as a pressing cloth between the clean sole plate of your iron and your gown. A low heat setting with no steam for chiffon, organza, crepe, georgette, and Chantilly lace. Medium heat for satin, Mikado, Alencon lace, and stretch fabrics. Higher heat may be used on cotton and linen, but must be done quickly & with the pressing cloth.

Emergency Kit for Your Wedding Day!

  • Baby Powder or Cornstarch
  • Q-tips
  • Needle & Thread
  • Safety Pins
  • Clean Dry White Towelettes

On your wedding day:

APPLY perfume and hair spray before putting on your wedding gown as the mist from such products may cause stains. Use care in dressing to avoid staining your gown.

STEP into your gown and have your bridesmaids put your shoes on for you.

COVER your gown with a towel before applying any touch-up products such as hair spray or lipstick.

POLISH nails at least a day before your wedding.  Wet nail polish on a silk garment can remove color, damaging the fabric permanently.

WATERMARKS: softly blot & dry with a clean towel.  If possible lightly press with a hand iron when dry.

MAKEUP, LIPSTICK, or any OILY SPILL:  lightly coat with CORNSTARCH or BABY POWDER to absorb the oil.  Do not rub the area!  Wait 15 minutes and gently remove the excess powder from fabric.  This technique will mask unsightly spots & prepare the area for professional care after your wedding day.

WINE & BEVERAGE STAINS:  do not apply water or other liquid that might disperse stain.  Blot area dry with a towel & apply powder as for oily stains.

BLOOD:  for minor blood stains, apply your own clean saliva with a dampened Q-tip.  The enzymes will safely break down the stain,  Blot to dry.

ASPHALT: It deteriorates the fibers of your gown while grinding the tar into the fabric and csnnot be removed. Have your bridesmaids hold up your skirt & train when walking on a driveway or street.

You are Married! Congratulations & Treasure Your Memories:

HANG your wedding gown by loops inside the gown that are connected to sturdy side seams, never by fragile shoulder seams that can stretch or sag.

AVOID storing your worn wedding gown for a long period of time in plastic bags or vacuum-sealed, plastic wrapped containers because plastic emits fumes that can yellow your bridal gown and trap moisture that mildews your wedding gown.

BRING your gown for cleaning & preservation ASAP after your wedding day to avoid permanent staining & discoloration.  Other items may be stored with your gown, such as your veil or sash.  ALL BRIDES BEAUTIFUL can assist you in this process.  Call 330-655-1339 for an appointment to inspect your gown.

STORE your cleaned & preserved wedding gown in an area of constant temperature (under the bed or in a living space closet work well).  Avoid storing your bridal gown in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature or humidity, this can discolor your gown.

Caring for Silk Garments

Fabrics made from silk fiber demand special care.

Understanding silk’s characteristics, along with the use and care recommendations for your garment, will help to maintain and extend the life of your dress. Silk is a protein fiber and similar to human hair. Remembering this will help you when you think about the care and also cleaning it.

To prolong the beauty and life of silk garments, follow these simple guidelines in use and care:

  • Avoid extreme temperature changes ~ do not store in attic or basement, as this will allow for rapid discoloration.
  • Avoid exposure to sunlight ~ this will discolor the garment if white, and fade if it is colored.
  • Pressing your garment ~ Silk has a natural elasticity which does not hold creases well. Therefore, if you hang your garment many of the creases will fall out. Alternatively press with a dry iron on a silk setting. Steam can be used on heavier silks but could cause puckering and shrinkage on finer fabrics.
  • Avoid alcohol-based products ~ such as hair spray, perfumes & nail polish remover. Silk fabric is easily damaged these products.

Spot Cleaning Tips for Silk

Always proceed with caution when cleaning silk and use a test method on an inconspicuous area first. If in doubt consult a reputable dry cleaner.
Never use a wet method of cleaning; generally use a moist sponge or cotton ball gently blotting the stained area until cleansed.

  • Avoid strong detergents ~ this will harm silk fibers and cause it to lose its silky properties.
  • Red Wine: Large areas ~ immediately sponge out the area affected with club soda. Then dab the area with a mixture of cool water and ammonia, blot dry. (SMALL stains, see method above)
  • Perspiration Stains: New perspiration stains are acid based while older stains become alkaline. Use a two part stage to remove these stains. 1. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a half a cup of water. Blot the stained area with a cheese cloth or cotton ball & dry. 2. use a mixture of alcohol and baby shampoo (see below) going over the same area. Rinse using a blotting method to remove solution.
  • Blood: Large stains ~ one method uses one part hydrogen peroxide to 9 parts water. Remove solution by blotting area using a towel dampened with warm water. Use a clean towel to dry. Always have an absorbent towel underneath any spot cleaning with silk so that it does not penetrate into the other fabrics. (SMALL stains, see method above)
  • Lipstick: Large stains ~ a mixture of 3 tbsp. alcohol and 3 drops of baby shampoo works the best to remove makeup. The key is to remove the stain as soon as you find it. (SMALL stains, see method above)
  • Perfume Stains: Sponge with equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water to a cheesecloth pad and then sponge fabric lightly. Blot dry.

Cleaning and Preservation of Your Wedding Gown

The sooner you take your gown to be cleaned and preserved, the more likely that the stains will come out.

We recommend WEDDING GOWN PRESERVATION CO.

Make an appointment to bring your gown to us so that we may inspect it and prepare it for shipping to this established and trusted wedding gown cleaning company.

You can expect to pay between $240 to $500 for gown cleaning and preservation. Most of the difference depends on the cost to insure the full purchase price of your gown during this process.