Rhiannon Hendricks
There are several steps you can take to ensure your wedding dress is kept safe before your wedding day. Firstly, consider the weight of your dress and its fabric type. If your dress is made from lightweight fabric, such as chiffon or organza, it can be hung up using a sturdy hanger. For heavier dresses, it is best to store them flat inside a breathable fabric garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet in a cool, dry, and dark place. It is also important to avoid hanging your dress in plastic as this can cause discolouration. Instead, opt for a cotton or cotton/muslin blend garment bag. Keep your dress away from heat sources, direct sunlight, humidity, and pets to prevent damage and discolouration. Additionally, it is recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned before storing it to ensure it is in pristine condition.
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What You'll Learn
Store in a cool, dry, dark place, like a closet or spare room
Keeping your wedding dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a closet or spare room, is a great way to ensure its preservation before the big day. It is important to control the climate and keep the dress in a similar temperature and environment that you would find comfortable. Avoid heat sources, excessive moisture, and direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration.
The spare room or closet should be a space that isn't a "high-traffic area" in your house, such as the top shelf of a spare closet. This will reduce the risk of accidental damage and keep the dress away from pets.
It is also important to consider the humidity levels in the room. If you live in a particularly humid place, you may want to consider using a second garment bag for extra protection. Humidity can cause colours to bleed through garment bags, so it is best to keep the dress away from other garments with colour or dye.
Additionally, ensure the room is well-ventilated and free from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time.
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Avoid plastic—it can cause discolouration
Plastic bags, such as those made of polyethylene, are known to cause discolouration of fabrics, a process known as "phenolic yellowing". This occurs when the plastic emits chemical fumes that interact with the fabric, causing it to yellow over time. Even with proper storage, some fabrics are more susceptible to yellowing than others.
To avoid this, it is recommended to remove your wedding dress from any plastic packaging if it will be stored for longer than a few days. Instead, opt for a breathable garment bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet or towel, especially if it will be stored in a place with direct sunlight or bright bulbs, as light exposure can accelerate the yellowing process.
It is also important to consider the weight of your dress. Heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric may be better off stored flat, rather than on a hanger, to avoid stretching the fabric over time. Additionally, storing your dress in a spare closet or bedroom can help protect it from light exposure and fluctuations in temperature and humidity, which can also contribute to discolouration.
Overall, it is crucial to choose storage options that minimise the risk of discolouration and protect the fabric of your wedding dress.
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Keep away from coloured garments and dye
It is important to keep your wedding dress away from coloured garments and dye. Humidity can cause colour to bleed through garment bags, so it is best to store your dress separately in a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. This will also protect your dress from any potential colour transfer.
If your wedding dress is stored in a closet, ensure it is covered and protected from light exposure. Light can cause white dresses to yellow over time. A cloth covering, such as a towel, draped over the dress can help prevent this.
It is also recommended to store your dress flat if it has heavy beading, multiple layers of fabric, or similar features. This will help to preserve the shape of the dress and prevent stretching over time.
Additionally, avoid hanging your dress near heat sources or in areas accessible to pets, as this could lead to potential damage.
By following these steps, you can effectively protect your wedding dress from colour transfer and keep it in pristine condition.
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Hang or lay flat, depending on the weight of the dress
The weight of your wedding dress is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to hang or lay it flat. If your dress is made of heavy materials, such as multiple layers of fabric or heavy beading, it is best to store it flat. This will help to prevent stretching and potential damage to the fabric over time.
Lightweight dresses, on the other hand, can be safely hung up. A sturdy hanger that can bear the weight of the gown is essential. Steel hangers are a good option for this purpose. It is also important to consider the storage location. A spare closet or bedroom is ideal, as these areas typically have consistent temperature and humidity levels, and the dress can be kept out of direct sunlight.
When storing your dress flat, use a breathable garment bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet. Place it in a safe, high area, such as the top shelf of a closet, to prevent damage and keep it away from heat sources and pets. It is also important to control the climate; store your dress in a comfortable temperature that you yourself would find pleasant.
Additionally, it is recommended to unpack and air out your wedding dress the night before your wedding. This will help to remove any wrinkles that may have formed during transit or storage. However, it is generally advised to handle the dress as little as possible to prevent staining and potential oil marks.
In summary, the weight of your wedding dress is a crucial factor in determining whether to hang or lay it flat. Heavy dresses are best stored flat to prevent stretching, while lightweight dresses can be hung on sturdy hangers in a controlled climate and storage location.
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Wash hands before handling the dress
When storing your wedding dress, it is important to wash your hands before handling the dress. This is because lotions, perfumes, and the natural oils on your skin can leave marks on the dress over time and promote mould growth.
If you are storing your dress in a garment bag, be sure to wash your hands before zipping the bag closed. You should also ensure that your hands are clean when removing the dress from storage, even if you are only doing so to try it on. The oils from your skin can cause discolouration and stains, so it is important to be cautious when handling the dress with your bare hands.
Additionally, if you are storing your dress in a box or plastic container, make sure that the container is clean and free of dust or other contaminants. You may also want to wear clean cotton gloves when handling the dress to avoid direct contact with the fabric.
It is also important to note that you should avoid hanging your wedding dress for long-term storage, as this can lead to stretching the fabric over time. Instead, store the dress flat in a box or container to prevent creases and disfiguring.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your wedding dress remains in pristine condition until your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
The best place to store your wedding dress is somewhere cool, dry, and dark, such as a closet or a guest room. Avoid heat sources, excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and cooking or smoking odours, as these can damage the dress.
This depends on the weight of your dress. Heavy dresses with multiple layers of fabric or heavy beading should be stored flat in a box. Lighter dresses with minimal embellishments can be hung up. If you do hang your dress, use a padded hanger to protect the straps and avoid creases.
Avoid storing your wedding dress in plastic, as this can cause discolouration. Instead, opt for a fabric bag or an acid-free box.
The night before your wedding, remove your dress from its bag or box and hang it up high, away from pets. Check that your hands are freshly washed and free of any lotions or oily residues before handling the dress.
