Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are often made of white or pastel fabrics, which are colours that are susceptible to yellowing. The delicate fabric of a wedding gown can start to yellow within six months if not cleaned and stored properly. This yellowing is caused by oxidation, which occurs when the fabric's fibres react with oxygen in the air, resulting in a chemical change that turns the material yellow. Other factors that contribute to yellowing include improper storage, heat, radiation, humidity, exposure to sunlight, and undetected stains such as sweat, deodorant, makeup, and spills. To prevent yellowing, it is important to have your dress professionally cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding and stored in a cool, dry place using acid-free tissue paper and avoiding plastic bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Fabrics can begin to yellow within a few months, and the yellowing deepens with age |
| Environmental Factors | Storing a dress in damp, humid, or dusty conditions, such as a basement or attic, can speed up the process |
| Fabric Type | Silk wedding gowns are more challenging to clean and restore than non-silk gowns |
| Stains | Undetected stains like sweat, spills, and perfume can cause yellowing |
| Light | Exposure to sunlight and other light sources can cause the fabric to yellow |
| Heat | Storing a wedding dress in a hot attic can accelerate the yellowing process |
| Plastic Bags | Plastic emits fumes and traps moisture, which can cause yellowing |
| Air Pollution | Nitrogen oxides from automobile pollution, home heating systems, and industrial processes can cause yellowing |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid plastic bags and opt for acid-free tissue paper
Wedding dresses are often made of delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon, organza, and chiffon, which are susceptible to yellowing within a few months, and the yellowing deepens with age. One of the main reasons for this discolouration is exposure to sunlight and other sources of light.
To prevent this, it is important to avoid storing your wedding dress in a plastic bag. Plastic emits fumes and traps moisture, which can cause the fabric to yellow and become mouldy. Instead, opt for a cotton garment bag or a preservation box. When storing, wrap the dress in acid-free tissue paper, which will prevent the fabric from touching anything that could cause yellowing. Line the acid-free storage container with this paper, gently laying the gown flat. Put the paper in the sleeves and any crevices to stop fabric-on-fabric friction.
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Store in a cool, dry, dark place
To prevent your wedding dress from turning yellow, it is important to store it in a cool, dry, dark place. This is because the delicate fabrics in a wedding dress will begin to yellow within just six months if the dress is not cleaned, cared for, and stored properly.
The process of fabric yellowing is due to the breakdown of the chemical makeup of the fabric. This occurs when the fabric's fibres react with oxygen in the air, resulting in a chemical change that turns the material yellow. Sunlight and other light sources contain ultraviolet (UV) rays that can break down fabrics over time. Therefore, storing your wedding dress in a cool, dark place will protect it from the damage caused by light. Keep the dress away from humidity, direct sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. The best places to store a wedding dress are cool, dark, and dry places, such as a bedroom closet.
In addition to light, heat, and chemicals, atmospheric pollutants can be one of the most potent agents that cause fabrics to yellow, particularly nitrogen. These oxides can come from automobile pollution, home heating systems, and various industrial processes. Therefore, it is important to store your dress in a clean and well-ventilated place.
Furthermore, spills from clear beverages, such as alcohol or soda, will dry clear but will oxidize and turn brown. Body perspiration on the dress lining can also discolour the dress and turn it brittle over time. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your wedding dress is properly cleaned and stored in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent any spills or perspiration from causing discolouration.
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Avoid sunlight and other light sources
Sunlight and other sources of light are major contributors to the yellowing of wedding dresses. The delicate fabrics used in wedding dresses, such as silk, satin, chiffon, organza, and lace, are susceptible to discolouration over time due to exposure to light. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and artificial light sources can break down these fabrics, causing the colour to fade and turn yellow.
To prevent this, it is essential to store your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting. A bedroom closet or a preservation box can be ideal storage locations. Additionally, when storing your dress, use acid-free tissue paper to wrap the dress and protect it from fabric-on-fabric friction. The tissue paper acts as a barrier between the fabric layers and helps prevent discolouration.
It is also important to avoid storing your wedding dress in plastic bags, as plastic emits fumes that can cause yellowing. Instead, opt for a cotton garment bag or a preservation box to keep your dress safe from light exposure and potential discolouration.
If you need to transport your dress, always use a suitable garment bag and wrap key areas with uncoloured, acid-free tissue paper for added protection. By taking these precautions, you can effectively minimise the impact of light exposure and help preserve the colour of your wedding dress.
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Act fast on stains and opt for professional cleaning
Acting fast on stains and opting for professional cleaning can help prevent your wedding dress from turning yellow. Wedding dresses are made from delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon, organza, and rayon, which are susceptible to yellowing within a few months, and the discolouration deepens with age. The fabric fibres react with oxygen in the air, resulting in a chemical change that turns the material yellow.
It is important to treat stains immediately as they are one of the main culprits of future spot staining and general fabric yellowing. Spills from clear beverages such as alcohol or soda, dried perspiration, and body oils may go unnoticed but will oxidise and turn brown over time. The longer these stains remain untreated, the harder it will be to remove them.
If your wedding dress is made of silk, it is best to get it professionally cleaned as soon as possible. Silk is extremely water-sensitive and requires special care. Professionals will know how to handle the fabric and use the right cleaning methods and solvents to remove stains and prevent discolouration.
For non-silk wedding gowns, you may be able to treat mild stains and wash the dress yourself with mild detergents for spot cleaning or hand washing. However, for older or more delicate gowns, it is recommended to seek the expertise of a professional dry cleaner. They will have the necessary skills and equipment to thoroughly clean and restore your wedding dress, ensuring it stays pristine for years to come.
To summarise, acting promptly on stains and seeking professional cleaning services are crucial steps in preventing your wedding dress from turning yellow. By treating stains early and choosing experienced cleaners, you can effectively remove stains and protect the delicate fabric of your wedding dress, preserving its pristine condition for the future.
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Choose a preservation box or cotton garment bag
One of the most important steps in preserving your wedding dress and preventing yellowing is to choose the right storage. The right preservation box or cotton garment bag can protect your dress from discolouration, mildew, mould, oxidation spots, light and dust.
Firstly, it is important to avoid plastic bags. Plastic emits fumes that can yellow your gown and can also trap moisture, leading to mould and mildew. Plastic bags can also cause phenolic yellowing, a chemical reaction between the materials in the garment bag and the chemicals within the plastic. Instead, opt for a preservation box or a cotton garment bag.
Preservation boxes are a good option for long-term storage. You can line the box with acid-free tissue paper, which will prevent the fabric from touching anything that could cause discolouration. Gently lay the gown flat in the box, placing tissue paper in the sleeves and any crevices to avoid fabric-on-fabric friction. Store the box in a cool, dry, dark space, as light and humidity can cause natural fibres to yellow.
Cotton garment bags are another good option for preserving your wedding dress. These bags will allow the dress to breathe and prevent moisture from becoming trapped. As with preservation boxes, store the garment bag in a cool, dry, dark place, away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations.
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Frequently asked questions
To keep your wedding dress from turning yellow, get it professionally cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding. Then, store it in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place. Avoid storing it in plastic, cardboard, or paper, as these materials can cause "phenolic yellowing". Instead, use acid-free tissue paper and an acid-free storage box.
Wedding dresses turn yellow due to a combination of environmental factors and contaminants. Environmental factors include sunlight, humidity, and heat, which accelerate the natural fibre degradation process. Contaminants include dirt, dust, oils, grass stains, wine, sugar stains, perfume, sweat, and atmospheric pollutants, particularly nitrogen.
Silk is more susceptible to yellowing and should be professionally cleaned as soon as possible. Non-silk wedding gowns have a higher threshold for cleaning solvents.
Phenolic yellowing is caused by a chemical reaction between the materials in a garment bag and the chemicals within the plastic bag. Plastic bags, cardboard, and certain types of paper can release chemicals that damage the fabric.
Yes, you can restore a yellowed wedding dress by using a wedding dress preservation kit or seeking professional restoration services.
