Deborah Chan
A wedding dress is one of the most important and sentimental pieces of clothing a person will ever wear. However, it is also one of the easiest to stain. From walking on grass or mud-ridden paths to spills and splashes, there are plenty of opportunities for a wedding dress to get dirty. While some brides opt for shorter dresses to avoid this, others are turning to bridal petticoats, underskirts, or slips to lift the hem off the ground. Others still are wrapping their dresses in plastic or using Scotchgard Fabric Protector spray to prevent stains. But is it possible to keep a wedding dress completely clean?
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What You'll Learn
Wrap your dress in plastic to keep it dirt and moisture-free
Wrapping your wedding dress in plastic is a great way to keep it dirt and moisture-free. Sheets of polyvinyl chloride, or plastic wrap, are often used in food preservation to keep items dirt and moisture-free, and they can do the same for your wedding dress.
While plastic wrap can be controversial due to its negative environmental impact, it can be an effective way to protect your dress before your wedding day. You can ask your bridal salon to keep your dress wrapped in plastic until your wedding day. This will ensure that your dress stays clean and dirt-free while it is in their care.
However, it is important to note that plastic wrap is not suitable for long-term storage of your wedding dress. Over time, plastic can disintegrate, and light coming through the plastic can cause the fabric to fade or discolour. Instead, opt for a sturdy storage box that eliminates light, protects from dust and accidents, and is made of breathable and pH-neutral materials.
Additionally, consider other ways to keep your dress clean on your wedding day. An underskirt or slip can help lift the hem of your dress off the ground, especially when walking outdoors or taking photos. You can also ask your maid of honour and bridesmaids to help you carry your train to keep it from dragging on the ground.
Remember, it is normal for your wedding dress to get a little dirty, and there are ways to clean it afterwards. You can opt for professional cleaning services or carefully clean it yourself, being mindful of the fabric and any delicate details.
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Carry your dress around to avoid it getting dirty
If you want to keep your wedding dress pristine, you'll need to keep it away from grass, mud, wet asphalt, and other potential sources of dirt. One way to do this is to carry your dress around, either by yourself or with the help of others.
If your dress has a long train, you may need assistance to carry it around. Your maid of honour, bridesmaids, or a personal attendant can help lift the dress or carry the train as you walk to various locations for pictures. If your dress has a loop inside, you can hook it onto your wrist to carry it yourself. Alternatively, you can be carried around on a sedan chair or litter, requiring only two to four servants for the day.
To make it easier to carry your dress while walking and using the bathroom, you can use an underskirt or slip to gently lift the hem off the ground. This works well for photo shoots or when moving between locations. If you don't have an underskirt, you can wrap a sheet or blanket around the bottom of your gown, or use a sturdier bag like an Ikea bag to hold the dress inside.
While it may not be the most conventional method, plastic wrap can also be used to keep your dress dirt-free. By wrapping your dress in plastic, you can keep it white and clean all day, although this option is not environmentally friendly.
No matter which method you choose, carrying your dress around will help ensure that it stays clean and fresh throughout your special day.
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Use a sheet to keep the bottom of the dress clean
Using a sheet is a simple, inexpensive way to keep the bottom of your wedding dress clean. Choose a white or neutral-coloured sheet that matches your dress so that it blends in if it happens to appear in any photos. This method is especially useful for outdoor ceremonies or photoshoots, particularly in locations with damp ground, such as after rain or in grassy fields.
You can use a sheet as a barrier between your dress and the ground during photos. The photographer can place the sheet under your dress, and if it's a similar colour to your dress, it won't be obvious that you're standing on it. You can also use a sheet as a waiting area for the bride while the photographer is taking shots of the wedding party.
On your wedding day, enlist the help of your bridesmaids to keep your dress clean as you move around outside. They can assist by lifting the hem of your dress when you're walking between locations or across potentially dirty surfaces. Assign a bridesmaid or two to hold up your train while you walk to prevent it from dragging on the ground.
If you're concerned about keeping your wedding dress clean, you might also consider wearing a petticoat or underskirt to lift the hem of your dress off the ground.
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Wear an underskirt or slip to lift the hem off the ground
If you're worried about your wedding dress getting dirty, one option is to wear an underskirt or slip to lift the hem off the ground. This is a great way to keep your dress relatively pristine until the ceremony begins and can be a lifesaver during outdoor photoshoots or when moving to the photoshoot site.
A bridal petticoat, for example, can be worn under your wedding gown to gently lift the hem, ensuring it doesn't drag on the ground and pick up dirt, dust, and spills. If you don't have a petticoat, you can also use a sheet wrapped around the bottom of your gown. This is a cheap and easy way to keep your dress clean, and photographers often use this trick when shooting outdoors to protect the dress from the elements.
If you're looking for a more portable option, consider investing in a sedan chair or litter to carry you around on your big day. This way, you can avoid your dress ever touching the ground, and you'll have a handy place to store your essentials!
While it's important to take precautions, remember that it's okay if your dress gets a little dirty. As one bride put it, "It's like having a brand new car. Once you have the first scratch on it, you relax." So, while you should do your best to keep your dress clean, don't stress too much about the occasional stain.
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Avoid wet grass and dirty areas
If you're planning to take photos outdoors, it's a good idea to bring a white sheet or blanket to place under your wedding dress. This will prevent the underside of your dress from getting dirty and will not be obvious in photos. If you're wearing a petticoat or underskirt, you can also wrap a sheet around the bottom of your gown to keep it clean.
If you're worried about wet grass, consider wearing an underskirt or slip under your wedding dress to lift the hem off the ground. This is a good option for relatively stationary photo shoots or when moving to the site where photos will be taken.
Another option to avoid wet grass is to be carried on a sedan chair or litter, which will ensure your dress never touches the ground.
If you're concerned about the train of your dress getting dirty, you can ask your maid of honour or bridesmaids to help carry it when walking to different photo spots.
It's important to note that even with these precautions, it's likely that your dress will get at least a little dirty throughout the day. The natural oils and sweat from your body can also cause stains, and it's difficult to avoid all contact with the ground, especially during a busy wedding day.
If you're concerned about preserving your dress, consider having it professionally cleaned and preserved after the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use an underskirt or slip to gently lift the hem off the ground. Alternatively, wrap a sheet or a white towel/blanket around the bottom of your gown.
You can use a Scotchgard Fabric Protector spray to prevent your gown from getting dirty. You can also ask your maid of honour and bridesmaids to help you carry your train when walking to various photo spots.
You can either clean it yourself or send it to a professional cleaner. If you decide to clean it yourself, you can use a gentle detergent, clean towel, and unused toothbrush to tackle most stains.
Fill up your bathtub with warm water and mild soap. Carefully submerge your gown in this soapy bath, focusing on the hemline and train. Then, gently swish the dress around to get rid of the soap. Hang the dress to dry and steam it carefully with a steamer.
