Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding dress is often one of the most expensive purchases you will make, so it is important to store it correctly. The length of time a wedding dress can be stored in a bag depends on the type of bag used. Plastic bags should only be used for a few days, as they can trap moisture, bugs, mildew, and emit fumes that cause yellowing. Fabric bags are a better option, as they are breathable and allow the dress to be hung up. However, if the dress is heavy, storing it flat in a box is preferable, as hanging can cause the fabric to stretch over time.
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What You'll Learn
Garment bags should be fabric, not plastic
Garment bags are excellent for protecting wedding dresses and other finer fabrics from damage. However, when choosing a garment bag, it is best to opt for fabric bags instead of plastic ones.
Fabric garment bags, particularly those made from cotton, are lightweight, breathable, hygienic, acid-free, and durable. Cotton is nurturing towards natural fabrics such as wool, leather, suede, silk, lace, and embellished and other delicate fabrics, helping to maintain the integrity of the fabric. Cotton also reflects heat in warm climates and provides insulation in cooler temperatures, giving your garments the extra care they need for seasonal storage. Cotton is also easy to maintain, as it can be washed and hung to dry. Other good alternatives to cotton bags include muslin and linen.
On the other hand, plastic dry cleaning bags can cause garments to yellow and fade when stored long-term. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a chemical anti-oxidant found in some plastic dry cleaning bags, can form yellow pigments that transfer to the fabric, causing unsightly yellow spots. Plastic also seals in moisture, and in hot and humid climates, materials like suede, leather, and animal fur can be irreversibly damaged by moisture and mould growth. Additionally, plastic does not allow the fabric to breathe, leading to deterioration over time. Cheap plastics also become brittle and disintegrate, exposing garments to dust, moisture, dirt, and insects.
Therefore, it is recommended to store your wedding dress in a breathable cloth garment bag rather than a plastic bag to protect your expensive and sentimental gown.
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Avoid stains by washing hands and removing jewellery
It is recommended that a wedding dress be stored in a breathable cloth bag or box rather than a plastic bag, as plastic can speed up fabric yellowing. Wedding dresses can be stored in their original garment bags, but only if they are made of fabric. If the bag is plastic, it is recommended to switch to a cotton sheet or a fabric bag.
Wedding dresses are delicate and prone to staining. To avoid stains, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your wedding dress, as the skin naturally produces oils that can damage the dress. It is also recommended to take a quick shower to ensure that any lotions, perfumes, nail polish, or makeup that could damage the gown are washed off. In addition to washing your hands, it is important to remove any jewellery before putting on your wedding dress, as jewellery can have sharp edges that can cause pulls or tears in the delicate fabric.
It is also recommended to wear white cotton gloves when handling your wedding dress, but only after washing your hands carefully. This will provide an additional layer of protection for the dress. If you need to remove your wedding dress from its garment bag, be sure that the hem of the gown does not touch the ground, as this is the most commonly stained area.
Additionally, it is important to choose attire that makes sense for your wedding location to avoid preventable stains. For example, if you're having an outdoor wedding, consider the possibility of grass stains on a long train. Or, if you plan to jump into the pool at the end of the celebration, choose a dress that can be easily washed and won't be ruined by chlorine. Taking these precautions will help prevent stains and keep your wedding dress in pristine condition.
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Store flat, not hung, to prevent stretching
When storing your wedding dress, it is important to consider the weight of the dress. If your dress has heavy beading, multiple layers of fabric, or embellishments, it is best to store your dress flat, rather than hanging it. This is because the fabric and embellishments can start to stretch and sag, especially if stored for a long time.
Hanging a heavy dress by a hanger can put pressure on the dress in places it is not designed to bear weight, such as the shoulders, straps, and sleeves. This can cause the fabric to stretch and distort the fit of the dress. Additionally, hanging a heavy dress can cause the hanger to leave permanent creases in the fabric.
Storing your wedding dress flat in a box or bag is a great way to avoid these issues. When laying your dress flat, be sure to use a breathable fabric bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet. Place tissue paper at the folds of the dress to avoid hard creases. You can also use a wedding dress storage box, which is made from acid-free, lignin-free cardboard that won't cause fabric scorching or staining.
It is important to avoid storing your wedding dress in plastic, as it does not allow the fabric to breathe and can cause staining. Fabric bags or boxes are a much better option to keep your dress in perfect condition.
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Keep in a cool, dark place, away from humidity
Wedding dresses are made from delicate fabrics that are prone to yellowing, oxidation, and other forms of damage if not treated and stored properly. To keep your wedding dress in excellent condition for decades, it is important to store it in a cool, dry, dark place, away from humidity.
Firstly, it is important to avoid storing your wedding dress in a plastic bag or a regular cardboard box. Plastic bags can trap moisture, bugs, and mildew, and emit colorless, odorless fumes that cause yellowing. Regular cardboard boxes can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mold or mildew growth. Instead, opt for a cloth or fabric garment bag or an acid-free, lignin-free cardboard box designed specifically for preserving wedding dresses.
Secondly, consider the weight of your dress. If it has heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric, it is best to store it flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. Place it in a cool, dry, dark place, such as the top shelf of a spare closet, away from heat sources and pets. Avoid hanging heavy dresses for long periods, as this can cause the fabric to stretch over time.
If your dress is made from lighter fabrics such as satin or silk, you may hang it in a breathable garment bag. However, avoid hanging for long periods, as this can cause stress on the seams and shape. Instead, lay the dress flat in a specialized storage box, which will provide a breathable environment to maintain the wedding dress's quality.
Additionally, it is recommended to keep your wedding dress away from sunlight in a climate-controlled area. Avoid storing it in places like the attic or cellar, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage.
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Get it professionally cleaned and preserved
Wedding dresses are often one of the most expensive purchases for a wedding, and they are also one of the most special and sentimental items of clothing a person will ever own. As such, it is important to take care of your wedding dress before, during, and after your wedding.
Professional cleaning and preservation services are the best way to ensure your wedding dress will last as a memory to be shared with future generations. These services use museum-level fabric cleaning and preservation techniques, and some even offer a 100-year guarantee. The sooner you can get your dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. Ideally, you should send your dress for cleaning and preservation the day after your wedding, before any stains have the chance to set in.
When choosing a professional cleaner, it is important to find a dry cleaner that uses a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a gown. Regular dry cleaning might use solvents with impurities that can leave your dress with a strange smell. Wedding dress cleaning and preservation should only be done by dry cleaners who specialize in cleaning gowns. Preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the garment will retain its quality for years to come.
Before sending your dress for professional cleaning and preservation, there are a few things you should do to ensure it stays in the best condition. Firstly, avoid trying on your dress or removing it from its bag unless necessary, as your chances of staining and oil marks increase each time your dress is handled. If you do need to remove your dress from its bag, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly beforehand and consider taking a shower, as lotions, perfumes, nail polish, and makeup can all damage your gown. You should also remove any jewellery and wear white cotton gloves when handling the dress.
While it is never ideal to hang your wedding dress long-term, a short time hanging in your closet before your wedding should be fine. If you are storing your dress in a bag, use a fabric bag rather than a plastic one, as plastic bags can speed up fabric yellowing. A wedding dress storage box is preferable for long-term storage, especially for heavy or embellished gowns.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses can be stored in a bag for up to a year and a half if it's a breathable fabric bag. However, plastic bags are not recommended for long-term storage as they can trap moisture, bugs, mildew, and emit fumes that cause the dress to yellow.
It is recommended to use a breathable fabric bag, such as cotton, to store your wedding dress. Avoid using plastic bags as these can cause discolouration and staining.
It is recommended to store your wedding dress in a cool, dark place away from humidity. A closet in a room that isn't a "high-traffic area" is a good option. Avoid attics, basements, and garages as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations and dampness.
After the wedding, it is recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible. You can then store it in a breathable fabric bag or an acid-free archive box in a cool, dry place.
If your wedding dress is discoloured, you can research wedding dress preservationists who have experience with yellowing and can provide restoration services.
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