Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often extremely long and touch the floor, so stains are inevitable. While some dresses require professional assistance, most can be cleaned with a few simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer. The bathtub is also a good option since you'll need to soak the dress. It is important to know the type of fabric your dress is made of and to take the dress details into consideration. Depending on the fabric and embellishments, wedding dresses can be washed in a washer, dryer, or by hand. If you plan to keep your wedding dress, consider wedding dress preservation, which is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment will retain its quality for years to come.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning methods | Hand washing, spot cleaning, dry cleaning, machine washing |
| Cleaning agents | Stain remover, laundry detergent, white vinegar, baking soda, toothbrush, steamer, gentle liquid detergent |
| Cleaning process | Soaking, scrubbing, disinfecting, rinsing, drying |
| Preservation | DIY preservation kits, acid-free boxes, lofting tissues, white cotton gloves |
| Considerations | Fabric, embellishments, washing machine-friendly, cost |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning a wedding dress at home vs. professionally
Wedding dresses are extremely delicate, especially if they have lace, embellishments, or tulle. The process of cleaning them could be the difference between ensuring they stay in pristine condition or getting accidentally destroyed.
Cleaning a Wedding Dress at Home
Contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily need to hire an expert to clean your wedding dress. Breyana Wright, a fashion stylist and the owner of Styled by Breyana, says that "the majority of [wedding dresses] can be cleaned with four simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer." She also recommends using a bathtub to soak the dress. Knowing the material of your gown is essential for properly cleaning it. Various compositions impact how a gown is cleaned, what solvents can be used, and the extent of the cleaning. For example, gowns made entirely of polyester are much more durable than gowns made of silk.
When cleaning a wedding dress at home, start by tackling the dirtiest sections first: the hemline and train. Fill a bathtub with warm water and a gentle detergent. Once it's filled, submerge the hem and train into the water and let it sit for a few hours. When you take it out, if you think it needs additional cleaning, gently scrub at the spots with a toothbrush and detergent.
Cleaning a Wedding Dress Professionally
Professional cleaning is the first step in wedding dress preservation. The sooner you can get the dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. This will prevent stains from permanently setting into your gown. Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment will retain its quality for years to come. It involves using highly specialized materials that are typically acid-free. Once a dress has been properly cleaned and restored, it should be housed in an acid-free box and folded using special lofting tissues to support all folds and portions of the dress.
While it is possible to clean a wedding dress at home, some gowns are too delicate and require professional assistance. Gowns with details such as embroideries and lace appliqués can change the cleaning process, and experienced dry cleaners know how to get it done without experimenting on your gown. Additionally, some stains are too complex to remove at home, and it is best to take them to a professional as soon as possible.
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DIY stain removal
Wedding dresses are extremely long and touch the floor a lot, so stains are inevitable. Here are some DIY tips for removing stains from your wedding dress:
General Stain Removal
Breyana Wright, a fashion stylist and the owner of Styled by Breyana, says that the majority of wedding dresses can be cleaned with four simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer. She also recommends using a bathtub to soak the dress. Start by tackling the dirtiest sections of the dress, such as the hemline and train. Fill a bathtub with warm water and a gentle detergent. Submerge these sections into the water and let them sit for a few hours. If additional cleaning is needed, gently scrub the spots with a toothbrush and detergent.
Grease Stains
If you have grease stains on your gown, mix a solution of 1 part dish soap and 1 part white vinegar. Place a white towel or absorbent cloth under the fabric and lightly tap on the stain with a Q-tip or rag dipped in the solution. This will push the stain through to the cloth underneath.
Makeup Stains
For makeup stains, dab or brush lightly with a damp cloth or makeup remover. If you're dealing with eyeliner smudges or mascara stains, add a couple of drops of liquid detergent to a damp cloth and lightly blot the stain. Then, dampen a clean section of the towel and dab the mark to rinse it out.
Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains can be difficult to remove, but it's worth trying to dab them off with a Q-tip. If that doesn't work, combine 4 parts water, 1 part ammonia, 1 part peroxide, and 1 part dish soap. Place a white towel or absorbent cloth under the fabric and use a Q-tip or rag dipped in the solution to lightly tap on the stain.
Fruit Juice, Tea, Cola, Liquor, or Wine Stains
For these types of stains, flush them immediately with a solution of 3 parts water and 1 part dish soap. If the residue doesn't come out, apply 1 part water and 1 part bleach.
It's important to note that some stains may be too complex to remove at home, and it's always a good idea to know the material of your gown before attempting any cleaning methods. If you're unsure or dealing with a delicate fabric like silk, it's best to seek professional help to avoid damaging your dress.
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The importance of knowing your dress fabric
The wedding dress is perhaps the most precious item of clothing a person will ever own. It is also extremely delicate, especially if it has lace, embellishments, or tulle. Knowing the material of your gown is essential for proper cleaning. Various compositions impact how a gown is cleaned, what solvents can be used, and the extent of the cleaning. For example, gowns made entirely of polyester are much more durable than gowns made of silk.
Before you start scrubbing at those stains, it is important to know your dress fabric. The fabric and construction will determine whether the dress can be washed in a washer, a dryer, or by hand. Some fabrics are sensitive to certain chemicals and can be damaged by them. For example, beading and crystals can melt from the chemicals used by professional dry cleaners.
If your dress is made of a fabric that can take it, you can put your dress in a garment bag or duvet and stick it in the washer on a gentle cycle. If your dress has a lot of embellishments, it may not fit in the washer, and you may need to hand wash it.
If you are hand washing your dress, you can use a bathtub to soak the dress. Fill the tub with warm water and a gentle detergent. Submerge the dirty parts of the dress into the water and let it sit for a few hours. If you think it needs additional cleaning, gently scrub at the spots with a toothbrush and detergent.
If you plan to keep your wedding dress, consider wedding dress preservation. This is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment will retain its quality for years to come. Wedding dress preservation should be done by a professional using highly specialized materials that are typically acid-free.
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Wedding dress preservation
Preservation should be undertaken by a professional, and the sooner you can get the dress to a preservationist, the better. This will prevent stains from permanently setting into the gown. The entire process can take anywhere from four to ten weeks.
If you are looking to preserve your wedding dress yourself, you can purchase a DIY wedding dress preservation kit. These kits can cost between $200 and $500. You should also invest in at least one pair of white cotton gloves to avoid transferring any creams or oils from your skin onto the gown.
It is important to note that wedding dress preservation is not as simple as dry cleaning and boxing the gown. The process involves using specialised materials to ensure the long-term physical and chemical stability of the fabric.
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Dry cleaning at home
Dry cleaning a wedding dress at home is tricky and requires attention to detail. The first step is to read the label and follow any instructions. If the dress is hand wash only, you can spot clean dirty parts with a gentle detergent. If the dress is safe to machine wash, you can put it in a garment bag or duvet and stick it in the washer on a gentle cycle. Beading and crystals can melt from the chemicals used by professional dry cleaners, so it is important to check that your dress is safe to dry clean.
If you want to dry clean your wedding dress at home, you can use a bathtub. Start by disinfecting and cleaning the tub to prevent any residue from transferring to your dress. Rinse the bathtub thoroughly and then fill it with cool water. Mix in a stain remover and some gentle liquid detergent. Place your dress in the tub and leave it to soak, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid excessive heat throughout this process as it could damage the fabric or melt details such as beads or sequins. If there are problem areas, use an old toothbrush to remove excess dirt, but remember not to scrub too hard as this can cause holes.
If you are concerned about the cost of dry cleaning, it is worth noting that the average spend for a wedding dress in the UK is already very high, so it may be worth comparing prices across your local stores. The cost will depend on factors such as style, embellishment, fabric, the degree of any stains, and whether the dress needs to be boxed.
It is important to know what kind of fabric your dress is made of and to consider any embellishments when deciding how to clean it. For example, if your dress has a lot of beading, it may not fit in your washer, and you may need to hand wash it instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can clean your wedding dress at home. However, it is important to know what kind of fabric your dress is made of and to take the dress details into consideration. Depending on the fabric and embellishments, wedding dresses can be washed in a washer, dryer, or by hand.
Breyana Wright, a personal and professional fashion stylist, says that the majority of wedding dresses can be cleaned with four simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer. She also recommends using a bathtub to soak the dress.
First, clean and rinse your bathtub to prevent any residue from transferring onto your dress. Then, fill the tub with cool water and mix in stain remover and gentle liquid detergent. Next, place your dress in the tub and let it soak. Finally, rinse the dress thoroughly and avoid excessive heat throughout the process to prevent damage to the fabric and/or melting of details such as beads or sequins.
The sooner you are able to get your wedding dress cleaned and sent to a preservationist, the better. This will prevent stains from permanently setting into your gown.
