George Boyle
A wedding dress is often a significant investment, both financially and emotionally, and many brides want to preserve their dress after their wedding day. There are several reasons for this: you may want to pass it down as an heirloom, upcycle it into accessories or an evening dress, frame it as a piece of art, or sell it on. Whatever your reason, it's important to know how to properly store your dress to ensure its longevity. Wedding dress preservation is a specialised cleaning and treatment plan that ensures your gown looks as pristine as possible for years to come. In this article, we will explore the steps you can take to conserve your wedding dress.
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What You'll Learn
Get it professionally cleaned by a bridal dry cleaner
Wedding dresses are often exposed to elements that cause long-term staining and yellowing, such as sweat, deodorant, dirt, grass, food, makeup, and more. Even if the dress appears clean, there may be dirt or bacteria that can cause discolouration over time. To prevent this, it is essential to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner.
Professional bridal dry cleaners use specialised techniques to remove any stains and ensure that your wedding gown is in mint condition before being stored away. They will use a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a gown, as other solvents used for regular dry cleaning might contain impurities that can leave your wedding dress with a strange smell.
When choosing a dry cleaner, it is important to ensure that they offer a thorough inspection process both before and after cleaning. You should also look for a company with decades of experience and a highly trained team of cleaning experts. The cost of professional wedding dress dry cleaning can range from $250 to $1,000, depending on your location and the level of work required.
Some companies offer wedding gown cleaning kits, which include museum-quality cleaning technology and free shipping to and from their facility. These kits often come with insurance to protect your gown during shipping and storage.
Once your dress has been professionally cleaned, it should be housed in an acid-free box and folded using special lofting tissues to support all folds and portions of the dress. This will help to ensure that the dress remains crease-free and in pristine condition for years to come.
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Store in a cool, dry, dark place
Wedding dresses are made with delicate fabrics and intricate details, so it's important to take the necessary steps to preserve them properly. One of the most important factors in preserving a wedding dress is to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Firstly, a cool environment is essential to prevent discolouration and yellowing of the dress. Extreme temperatures can cause damage to the fabric, so it's best to avoid storing the dress near heat sources or in direct sunlight. A cool, dark place, such as a closet or a guest room, is ideal. Additionally, try to keep the dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time.
Secondly, maintaining moderate humidity levels is crucial. Wedding dresses are highly receptive to changes in humidity, so it's important to avoid storing the dress in an environment with excessive moisture. This includes avoiding attics or basements, as these areas are prone to moisture changes that can promote the growth of mould, mildew, or dry rot.
Thirdly, darkness is an important factor in preserving the dress. Direct sunlight can cause discolouration and fading, so it's best to keep the dress away from windows or other sources of natural light. A dark closet or under-bed storage area can provide the necessary protection from light exposure.
It's also worth noting that while a cool, dry, and dark environment is crucial, it's not the only consideration. The wedding dress should also be stored in an acid-free garment bag or box, and it's important to avoid using plastic dress covers or cardboard boxes that can trap moisture and bacteria. Regular check-ups are essential to detect any issues early on, and professional preservation services can provide additional peace of mind by utilising museum-quality techniques and materials.
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Avoid plastic bags and cardboard boxes
While boxing a wedding dress is the preferred form of storage, it is important to avoid using plastic bags and cardboard boxes. Plastic bags should never be used for long-term storage, even if that is the type of bag your dress came home in. Over time, chemicals from plastic bags can leach out and discolour the fabric of your gown. Plastic boxes are also not recommended because they are not breathable, which can lead to retained moisture and odours in the dress. These smells may be difficult to eliminate from the fabric.
Additionally, cardboard boxes should be avoided because they are not as durable as other materials and may not adequately protect your dress from insects, dust, light, and accidental damage. Cardboard boxes are also not recommended for damp or humid climates, as they are more susceptible to mould, mildew, and discolouration.
Instead of plastic bags, consider using a cotton garment bag with a well-padded hanger. When choosing a storage box, opt for a sturdy, acid-free box made of heavy-duty material with a tight-fitting lid. This will help protect your dress from insects, dust, light, and accidental damage.
Remember to regularly inspect your dress, regardless of the storage container you choose. This will help you detect any issues early on and ensure that your dress stays in excellent condition.
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Wrap in acid-free paper and box
Wedding dresses are often one of the most important pieces of clothing a person will ever wear, and they can carry a lot of sentimental value. If you want your wedding dress to remain in pristine condition, it is essential to get it professionally cleaned and preserved.
Textile conservators recommend storing your wedding dress in an acid-free box to protect it from dust, dirt, damp, and moths. These boxes are made with acid-free materials to protect your dress in the long term. Acid-free tissue paper is also included to wrap and cushion the dress, protecting the layers and maintaining an attractive presentation.
Acid-free wedding dress boxes have an additive that protects the board against acid absorption. However, they may contain lignin, a substance found in wood pulp that will become acidic over time. A more expensive option is to use archival storage boxes, which are made from a material that does not contain lignin and will not become acidic.
When wrapping your dress in acid-free tissue paper, it is important to use special lofting tissues to support all folds and portions of the dress, such as the skirt, sleeves, and bust. This will ensure that the dress can be taken out of the box years later without any creases.
It is also important to consider the storage location of your wedding dress. Look for a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room, to keep your dress safe. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration.
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Regularly check for damage
Regular check-ups are essential to ensure your wedding dress remains in excellent condition. It is recommended that you inspect your dress every six months for any signs of damage or pests. This will allow you to detect issues early on and address them promptly.
When checking your dress, look for any loose threads, missing buttons, or embellishments that may have come loose. It is also important to check for any stains, as not all stains are visible right away. Sugar alcohols (found in wine) and chloride salts will aggressively degrade fabrics and cause permanent damage if not treated promptly.
If you notice any issues, consider seeking professional preservation services. These services involve cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials. Professional preservationists are trained to spot issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye. They can also advise on the best storage methods to prevent future damage.
In between check-ups, it is important to ensure your dress remains in a stable and predictable environment. Store your dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or guest room. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration.
Additionally, it is recommended to replace the storage box and paper every three years to prevent acid transfer, which can lead to discolouration.
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Frequently asked questions
Avoid storing your wedding dress in a plastic bag, plastic dress cover, cardboard box, cedar chest, or attic/cellar. Instead, store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room.
Get your wedding dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner that uses a gentle and pure solvent. Even if your dress appears clean, there may be invisible stains or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time.
Wrap your wedding dress in acid-free tissue paper and place it in an acid-free archival preservation chamber. You can purchase these boxes online. Do not seal the box with tape, as it is important to be able to open and inspect the dress regularly.
The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on the amount of damage to the dress, the level of intricacy of the gown, and your location. You can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $2,500 for this service.
It is important to professionally clean and preserve your wedding dress as soon as possible after your wedding day. However, it is never too late to preserve your wedding dress.
