One of your most treasured possessions is the wedding dress you wore on one of the most special days of your life. Proper cleaning and care are vital to maintaining its timeless beauty, whether you plan to pass it down as a treasured family heirloom or wish to keep it as a cherished remembrance.
To make sure your wedding dress looks as beautiful as the day you wore it, follow the steps in this tutorial to clean it properly and keep it looking as good as new for years to come. We’ve got your back through the entire process of cleaning, from figuring out what the fabric is and what the stains are to hiring a skilled.
Come with us as we explore the best ways to keep your wedding gown looking beautiful for years to come. Let’s go into the subject of wedding dress preservation to make sure your gown lasts a lifetime and always brings back happy memories.
How Do You Clean Wedding Dress?
Due to the fragile nature of the fabrics and the detailed embroidery often found on wedding dresses, thorough cleaning can be a daunting task. Detailed instructions for laundering your bridal gown are provided below.
Check The Care Label
Before starting any cleaning process, check the care label on your dress. It may provide specific instructions from the manufacturer regarding the type of cleaning method suitable for the fabric.
Spot Cleaning
Address stains and spills promptly. Use a clean, white cloth or cotton ball to blot the stain gently. Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can cause the fabric to fray or the stain to set deeper.
Test A Hidden Area
If your dress doesn’t have a care label or you’re uncertain about the fabric, test the cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of the gown first, such as an interior seam allowance.
Handwashing Or Professional Cleaning
Depending on the fabric and the level of soiling, you can either hand wash the dress or take it to a professional cleaner experienced in handling wedding gowns. Some fabrics, such as silk or lace, may require professional cleaning to prevent damage.
Handwashing Steps
- Fill a clean bathtub or basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild, pH-balanced detergent.
- Gently immerse the dress in the water and swish it around, but avoid aggressive scrubbing or wringing.
- Pay special attention to stained areas and gently work on them with your fingertips.
- Drain the soapy water and refill the tub with clean water to rinse the dress thoroughly.
- Repeat the rinsing process until no soap residue remains.
Drying The Dress
- Never wring or twisting the dress to remove excess water, as this can damage the fabric and embellishments.
- Lay a clean white towel on a flat surface and place the dress on top of it to absorb excess water.
- Reshape the dress gently to its original form.
- Hang the dress using padded hangers in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight to let it air dry completely.
Storage And Preservation
- Once the dress is completely dry, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in a plastic bag, as this can trap moisture and lead to mildew or mould growth.
- If you plan to keep the dress for an extended period, consider using a pH-neutral, acid-free archival box to protect it from dust and light.
Keep in mind that every wedding dress is different, so if you’re not sure what cleaning or preservation methods would be safest for your gown, it’s advisable to get some expert advice. If you take the time to clean and preserve your wedding dress, it will be a keepsake you may enjoy for many years to come.
How Do You Tell If A Dress Is A Dry Clean Only?
It is crucial to check the label to see if the dress is “dry clean only” to prevent any unwanted damage. Some telltale signs that a dress has to go to the dry cleaner are:
- Check the Care Label: The most straightforward method is to examine the care label sewn into the dress. Care labels are typically located along the inside seam and provide specific instructions for cleaning the garment. Look for phrases like “Dry Clean Only” or “Professional Cleaning Recommended.”
- Look for Fabric Indicators: Certain fabrics are more delicate and sensitive to water and agitation, indicating that the dress is likely to dry clean only. Examples include silk, satin, velvet, taffeta, wool, cashmere, beaded or sequined fabrics and some delicate lace materials.
- Examine the Dress’s Details: Dresses with intricate embellishments, delicate embroidery, or glued-on decorations are usually dry clean only. Wet cleaning or immersion in water can loosen or damage these adornments.
- Construction and Lining: Dresses with complex constructions, multiple layers, or linings may require dry cleaning. Traditional washing methods could alter the dress’s shape or cause shrinkage.
- Colour and Print Fading Concerns: Some dresses may have colour-sensitive dyes or prints that can bleed or fade when exposed to water, indicating a need for dry cleaning.
- Previous Cleaning Instructions: If you purchased the dress and it came with specific cleaning instructions, follow those guidelines. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and opt for dry cleaning.
- Seek Expert Advice: If you’re uncertain about the proper cleaning method for your dress, consult a professional cleaner or contact the dress manufacturer for advice.
If you care about the dress’s durability, form, and colour, you should follow the care directions to the letter. You should never wash a garment by hand or in a machine if it says “dry clean only,” as doing so could cause the fabric to shrink, stretch, fade, or otherwise become distorted. The best way to keep your dress looking great and wearing well for as long as possible is to get it cleaned by a professional dry cleaner who has experience with delicate fabrics.
Conclusion
Maintaining the beauty and value of your wedding dress with regular care and washing is essential. Following the proper cleaning methods is vital to preserving the life and flawless state of your item, whether you intend to retain it as a treasured keepsake or pass it down through generations.
It’s possible to tell if a dress is “dry clean only” just by looking at the care label, but the fabric, structure, and embellishments also matter. Dry cleaning is recommended for delicate fabrics including silk, satin, and lace. Dry cleaning is also strongly recommended for dresses with colour-sensitive patterns, complex structures, or other symptoms of difficulty.
If you’re unsure how to clean your wedding dress, it’s best to consult a professional cleaner or the company that made the dress. They may provide you with helpful advice on how to clean your clothing safely and effectively.
Keep in mind that if you wash a dress the wrong way, you could permanently ruin its form, colour, and general appearance. By taking good care of your wedding gown, you can relive the emotions of one of the most important days of your life again and over again.
Whether you choose to clean your dress yourself or have a professional do it, the time and energy you put into maintaining your wedding gown will pay off when you look back on it and are reminded of the day you said “I do.” Your wedding dress is an investment and a sign of your love and happiness that may be passed down through the generations if you take the time to properly care for it.
Looking for a professional to clean your wedding dress? Visit dry cleaners bundaberg today!