Lyla Dejesus
A wedding dress is often a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. Many brides want to preserve their dresses to pass down as heirlooms, upcycle, or sell. Proper storage is essential to prevent damage and discolouration. While some choose to store their dress at home, others opt for professional preservation services, which can cost anywhere from $250 to $2,500. This service includes cleaning, treating, and packaging the dress using museum-quality techniques and materials to protect against ageing factors such as light, humidity, and insects.
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What You'll Learn
Get it professionally cleaned
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics that are prone to yellowing, oxidation, and other forms of damage—especially if not treated and stored properly. Even if your wedding gown appears clean, there may be invisible stains or bacteria that can cause discolouration over time. Therefore, it is essential to get it professionally cleaned before storing it away.
Professional preservation involves cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials. This process ensures that your dress is protected against ageing factors such as light, humidity, and insects. Preservationists are trained to spot the unseen and will use specialised techniques to remove any stains and ensure that your wedding gown is in mint condition.
When choosing a company to clean and preserve your wedding dress, be sure to do your research. Ask about their training and qualifications, whether they warranty their work, and if they are recommended by couture designers. The cost of wedding dress preservation can vary depending on the condition of the gown and the level of work required, so don't be afraid to shop around and get multiple quotes.
Once your dress has been professionally cleaned, it should be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and placed in an acid-free archival preservation box. This will protect your dress from humidity, dust, and moisture. Be sure to store your box in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room, to keep your dress safe from extreme temperatures and discolouration.
By getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, you can rest assured that it will be well-protected and maintained for years to come.
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Avoid plastic bags and boxes
Wedding dresses are made using delicate fabrics and are often adorned with intricate details, so it's no surprise that proper storage is essential to conserve them. While plastic bags and boxes might seem like a good idea to protect your dress, they can actually do more harm than good.
Firstly, plastic bags and boxes can trap moisture, leading to mould growth. Wedding dresses are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, so it's crucial to choose a storage option that allows for breathability. A cool, dry, and dark location is ideal for preserving your wedding dress.
Secondly, plastic bags and boxes can disintegrate over time, releasing particles that settle onto the fabric of the dress. This can cause discolouration and staining, ruining the appearance of the dress.
Additionally, plastic bags may not provide adequate support for the weight of the dress, especially if it has a train or heavy embellishments. Hanging a wedding dress can put pressure on the delicate straps and structure, so it's best to lay it flat or loosely fold it, providing ample support for the folds with acid-free tissue paper.
Lastly, plastic bags and boxes can create a sealed environment, making it difficult to regularly inspect the dress. Checking on your wedding dress every six months is essential to ensure no damage has occurred and to prevent any issues from becoming worse.
Instead of plastic bags and boxes, opt for a sturdy, breathable storage box made from acid-free materials. This will protect your dress from light, dust, insects, and changes in humidity, while also providing peace of mind that your dress is safely preserved for years to come.
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Store in a cool, dry place
The location of your wedding dress plays a significant role in its preservation. To keep your dress safe, look for a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room. Humidity control is crucial when storing your dress. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration, turning the gown yellow over time. Basements and attics are usually not ideal for storage, as the air may be damp and musty.
Instead, opt for a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity remain stable, and the dress is shielded from direct sunlight. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind, as they say. It is also recommended to keep the dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. Choose a location where the dress won't be disturbed frequently, reducing the risk of accidental damage. While long-term storage is intended to preserve your wedding dress, it's a good idea to check on your dress regularly.
Before storing your wedding dress, ensure it is professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner. Even if it appears clean, there may be dirt or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. A professional dry cleaner specialising in bridal wear will employ specialised techniques to remove any stains and ensure your wedding gown is pristine before storage. After cleaning, be cautious when handling the dress. Ensure you have clean hands or wear white gloves to prevent any oils from transferring onto the gown.
When storing your wedding dress, avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes. These can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mould or mildew growth. Instead, store your dress in an acid-free garment bag or box. You can also explore specialised storage options like UV-blocking materials or a cover to shield the dress from light.
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Fix loose threads and buttons
Wedding dresses are often preserved as a way to keep the memories of the special day alive. They may also be preserved for future use, such as being passed down as an heirloom, upcycled into accessories or an evening dress, framed as a piece of art, or sold to a new bride.
Before storing your wedding dress, it is essential to fix any loose threads and buttons. This is a crucial step in preventing further damage and ensuring the dress stays in excellent condition. Here are some detailed instructions on how to address loose threads and buttons:
Inspect the Dress:
Carefully inspect the entire dress for any loose threads, missing buttons, or other embellishments that may need attention. Pay close attention to areas where buttons or embellishments are attached, as these are common places for threads to come loose.
Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials:
You will need a needle, thread, and any replacement buttons or embellishments that match the original ones. Choose a thread colour that closely matches the colour of your dress to make the repairs less noticeable. You may also want to use a button hook, crochet hook, or bobby pin to help with buttoning the dress during this process and in the future.
Secure Loose Buttons:
If any buttons feel loose, carefully sew them back into place. Use small, neat stitches to secure the buttons, ensuring they are attached firmly. If the buttonholes seem stretched or loose, consider reinforcing them with a few small stitches to make them tighter and more secure.
Repair Missing Buttons:
In the case of missing buttons, carefully attach replacement buttons that match the original ones. Sew them securely in place, ensuring they are firmly attached. If the button placement seems too tight or loose, you may need to adjust the button positioning slightly to ensure a comfortable fit.
Address Loose Threads:
For any loose threads, carefully trim them with sharp scissors close to the fabric to prevent further fraying. Be extremely cautious not to cut the fabric itself. If the loose thread is part of a seam, carefully stitch over the area to secure the thread and prevent further unraveling.
Consider Additional Support:
If the buttons on your dress are functional and tend to come undone easily, consider adding hook-and-eye closures behind the buttons to provide extra security. This will help keep the dress closed and prevent gaping or accidental openings.
By following these steps, you can effectively address loose threads and buttons on your wedding dress. Remember to handle the dress with clean hands or wear white gloves to avoid transferring any oils onto the fabric. These repairs will help ensure your dress remains in the best possible condition for long-term preservation.
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Preserve as soon as possible
Preserving your wedding dress as soon as possible is key to maintaining its pristine condition. Here are some detailed steps to help you preserve your wedding dress promptly:
Clean the Dress
Even if your wedding dress appears clean, there may be invisible dirt, stains, or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. Take your dress to a professional dry cleaner that specialises in bridal wear as soon as possible. They will use specialised techniques to remove stains and ensure your gown is in mint condition. If you're spot-cleaning, avoid using harsh detergents, bleach, or a hot iron, as these can damage the fabric.
Inspect and Repair
Before storing your dress, carefully inspect it for any loose threads, missing buttons, or embellishments that may need fixing. Addressing these issues beforehand will help prevent further damage. Be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves to avoid getting any oils on the gown.
Choose the Right Storage
Avoid storing your wedding dress in plastic bags, airtight boxes, or cardboard boxes, as these can trap moisture and encourage the growth of mould or mildew. Instead, opt for an acid-free archival storage box and use acid-free paper to wrap your dress. Fold the dress using special lofting tissues to support all folds, especially in areas like the skirt, sleeves, and bust. Replace the storage box and paper every three years.
Storage Location
Choose a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet. Avoid basements or attics, as these areas may have temperature and humidity fluctuations that can damage the dress.
Remember, the sooner you can get your wedding dress to a preservation specialist, the better. This will ensure that your dress remains in its best condition and preserves those magical memories for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
Store your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or a guest room. Avoid storing it near heat sources, excessive moisture, direct sunlight, attics, or cellars.
Get your wedding dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner. Avoid using harsh detergents, bleach, or a hot iron on your wedding dress.
Wrap your wedding dress in acid-free paper and place it in an acid-free archival preservation chamber. You can purchase these boxes online.
The cost of wedding dress preservation varies depending on your location and the level of work your gown requires. Prices can range from $250 to $2,500.
