George Boyle
A wedding dress is often a significant expense and an emotional purchase, so it's no surprise that many brides want to preserve their dress after their big day. Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the gown retains its beauty over time. This involves removing stains, making repairs, reinforcing seams, and properly boxing the dress for storage. The preservation box should not be airtight, contrary to popular belief, as the dress should be able to breathe to avoid permanent creasing and mould growth. It should be stored somewhere safe from extreme temperatures, sunlight, and humidity.
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What You'll Learn
Wedding dress preservation methods
Wedding dresses are often expensive and hold sentimental value, so it's no surprise that many people choose to preserve them. Preservation involves cleaning, packaging, and storing your wedding dress to ensure its long-term protection. Here are some methods to preserve your wedding dress:
Professional Preservation Services
Consider choosing a professional preservation service that specializes in wedding dresses. These experts will carefully clean, package, and store your dress to ensure its protection. The average cost of preserving your dress is between $250 and $1000, and the process can take between four to ten weeks. During this time, the preservationist will remove stains, make repairs, reinforce seams, and properly box the dress.
Dry Cleaning
Take your wedding dress to a professional dry cleaner, especially one that specializes in wedding gown cleaning. They will carefully clean your dress according to its specific materials and embellishments. Dry cleaning is a good option for dresses with delicate trim, beads, or sequins. Ask family and friends for recommendations, or contact the bridal boutique where you purchased your gown.
Home Cleaning
If you plan to clean your wedding dress at home, first check if it says "Dry Clean Only." If not, you can hand-wash it using stain removers, white vinegar mixed with water, a baking soda paste, or mild dish detergent. Be sure to place a clean cloth or paper towel beneath any stained areas to prevent the stain from spreading to other layers.
Proper Packaging and Storage
After cleaning, properly package and store your wedding dress to protect it from wrinkles, creases, and damage. Use acid-free tissue paper to fold the dress, and place it in an archival-quality preservation box. Avoid using plastic bags or vacuum-sealed containers, as they can cause mold growth and sharp creases. Instead, opt for a box that is not airtight, allowing the dress to breathe and preventing mold and mildew growth. Store the box in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a shelf in your closet or under your bed.
Remember to periodically inspect your wedding dress to ensure it remains well-preserved. With these preservation methods, you can cherish your wedding dress for years to come.
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Vacuum sealing
The process of vacuum sealing creates extremely sharp and unavoidable creases as air is rapidly removed from the plastic bag. Many plastics, especially those not designed for long-term storage, do not hold up well and degrade over time. This is particularly true for typical DIY vacuum-sealed containers used for storing seasonal clothing. As they age, these plastics give off fumes due to molecular-level decomposition, which should never come into contact with a wedding gown.
To avoid the risks associated with vacuum sealing, it is recommended to store the wedding gown in a clean, dry, and cool environment, conducting regular yearly inspections. The ideal conditions for storing a wedding dress are similar to those that humans would find comfortable, eliminating places like humid basements or attics with extreme temperature changes.
While vacuum sealing may initially seem like a good idea to protect the gown from insects and moisture, there are now several other options available for bridal gown preservation, such as acid-free tissue paper and breathable garment bags. These methods help to avoid creases and protect the fragile sections of the dress.
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Cleaning and stain removal
Wedding dresses can be preserved to ensure they remain in pristine condition for years or even decades. The first step in this process is professional cleaning, which involves a preservationist surveying the gown to identify the materials, embellishments, and stains, before formulating a specialised cleaning procedure.
Dirt
Use a dry towel to rub at the stain. If this doesn't work, a damp cloth can be used to lightly brush the stain.
Grass
Grass stains are best left alone, as they usually occur at the bottom of the dress and are unlikely to be noticed. Trying to remove the stain yourself may stretch the fabric and affect the hem and length.
Grease
Mix a solution of one part dish soap and one part white vinegar. Place a white towel or absorbent cloth under the fabric, then 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
Dab or lightly brush the stain with a damp cloth or makeup remover. If the stain is from lipstick, it is unlikely to come out, but you can try using a Q-tip dipped in eye makeup remover.
Fruit juice, tea, cola, liquor, or wine
Flush the stain with a solution of three parts water and one part dish soap. If the residue remains, apply a solution of one part water and one part bleach. Remember to separate the layers of the dress while removing the stain.
Lace
Dampen the stain and place baking soda on top for at least five minutes. Rinse the area with cold water, then dab with a clean towel or cloth. Add some warm water to the cleaned spot, then add a drop of clear dish detergent to prevent the stain from spreading further.
General
It is important to act quickly when a stain occurs, as stains can deepen and spread over time. Before attempting to remove a stain, it is a good idea to consult the designer or boutique to find out the best cleaning methods for the specific fabric. If you are unsure about how to treat a stain, it is best to take the dress to a professional cleaner, especially if the gown is made of a delicate fabric like silk.
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Storage boxes
Wedding dresses are often stored in boxes to preserve them for future use or sentimental reasons. When choosing a box, opt for a sturdy, acid-free option that protects the dress from insects, sunlight, dust, and accidental damage. Plastic is not recommended due to its lack of breathability, which can trap moisture and lead to mould. Regular cardboard boxes should also be avoided, as they often contain acid that can discolour the dress over time.
Instead, choose a box made from heavy-duty, pH-neutral board, which provides a breathable environment and protects the dress. Acid-free tissue paper can be used to wrap the dress and cushion its folds, preventing creases and snagging from beads or embroidery. The tissue paper also helps to maintain the shape of the dress and prevent fibre breakage. Ensure the box has a fitted lid with no gaps to keep insects out.
When placing the boxed dress in storage, choose a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a closet or spare room. Avoid attics, basements, and areas with temperature extremes or direct sunlight. It is also essential to keep the dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. While storing, regularly check on the dress to ensure its condition and prevent creases from setting in.
Additionally, consider using a professional wedding dress preservation service, which can provide specialised storage options and ensure the dress is properly cleaned and packaged. These services offer peace of mind and help extend the lifespan of the delicate fabric.
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Packaging techniques
The wedding dress is an expensive piece of clothing, and it is often preserved for sentimental reasons. Preservation involves cleaning, packaging, and storing the dress to maintain its fabric and colour.
Firstly, the dress should be professionally cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding. The preservationist will survey the gown and formulate a specialised cleaning procedure.
Secondly, the dress should be packaged using tissue paper between each layer to prevent snagging and creasing. Acid-free tissue paper is essential to prevent discolouration. The preservation box should not be airtight, as this can cause permanent creasing and mould or mildew growth. Instead, the dress should be able to breathe. The box should be archival quality and sealed to prevent discolouration and deterioration.
Finally, the sealed box should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark environment, away from extreme temperatures, sunlight, and humidity. The bedroom is a good option as it is a comfortable environment for sleep, and the temperature and humidity levels are likely to be ideal for the dress. The box can be stored on a shelf in the closet, or under the bed.
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Frequently asked questions
Sealing a wedding dress is a process that requires careful cleaning and packaging to ensure the gown retains its beauty over time. It is recommended to take your dress to a professional preservationist or dry cleaner, preferably one that specialises in wedding gowns. They will survey the gown, its materials, embellishments and stains, and then formulate a specialised cleaning procedure. The preservationist will then remove stains, make repairs, reinforce seams, and properly box the dress for storage. The box should not be airtight, and the dress should be folded with tissue paper between each layer to avoid snagging and creasing.
Vacuum sealing your wedding dress is not recommended as the process of rapidly removing air from the plastic bag creates extremely sharp and unavoidable creases. The plastic used in DIY vacuum sealing containers is also not designed for long-term storage and can give off fumes over time due to molecular-level decomposition.
The best place to store your wedding dress is somewhere safe from extreme temperatures, sunlight, and humidity to preserve the fabric's colour and prevent mould growth. A cool place with consistent temperatures, such as a shelf in your closet or under your bed, is ideal.
The cost of preserving a wedding dress can range from $250 to $1,000, with an average time of four to 10 weeks.
The sooner you can get the dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. It is recommended to take your dress off as soon as the reception is over and send it for preservation as soon as possible. If you are going on your honeymoon, you can arrange for a bridesmaid or family member to take it for you.
