George Boyle
Wedding dresses are often packed and stored as mementos or to be passed down to future generations. However, improper storage can lead to discolouration, mould, stretching, and other types of damage. To avoid this, it is recommended that dresses are stored in a sturdy, acid-free, breathable box that eliminates light and protects from dust, accidents, and insects. The box should be kept in a warm, dry spare room that has no history of insects, damp, or extreme temperatures. Before packing, the dress should be professionally dry-cleaned and preserved, with any stains, broken hems, and beading repaired.
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What You'll Learn
Clean and dry the dress before packing
Clean and dry your wedding dress before packing it for storage. This is an essential step in the preservation process, as stains can become harder or even impossible to remove over time.
If you purchased a sample or stock piece dress, consider having it professionally cleaned before storing it. Professional cleaners know the proper methods to clean it without damaging the fabric and/or beadwork. Dry cleaning is a process that involves the application of specific cleaning products to safely address dirt, grime, or stains present on your gown. When cleaning your gown, make sure you do not use a scented fabric softener or an at-home cleaner.
There are three main chemical solvents that are safe for use on delicate fabrics, including your wedding dress: hydrocarbon, perchloroethylene, and liquid carbon dioxide. A professional dry cleaning service provider can discern which of these three options is best for your gown.
If you plan to clean your wedding dress at home, make sure whoever is handling it has clean hands and little to no makeup on. Makeup and deodorant are some of the biggest culprits for staining.
Once your dress is clean and dry, it's important to store it in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate and the dress can remain out of direct sunlight. Basements and attics are not ideal for storage, as the air may be damp and musty.
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Use an acid-free storage box
It is important to store your wedding dress in an acid-free storage box to prevent discolouration and yellowing of the fabric. The box should be sturdy, made of heavy board with a fitted lid, and protect the dress from insects, dust, light, accidents and changes in humidity.
Before placing the dress in the box, ensure that it is clean and dry. Any stains already on the dress may become impossible to remove over time. Consider having the dress professionally cleaned, especially if it is a sample or stock piece. Professional cleaners know the proper methods to clean the dress without damaging the fabric and/or beadwork.
When placing the dress in the box, stuff the bodice and sleeves with acid-free tissue paper to preserve the shape and prevent sagging and creasing. Do not use coloured tissue paper as the colour and chemicals can transfer to the dress and cause discolouration.
Store the box in a warm, dry spare room with no history of insects. Basements and attics are not ideal for storage as the air may be damp and musty. The temperature and humidity in these places can cause fluctuations, and the dress may be exposed to direct sunlight.
Check on the dress every six months to ensure that nothing untoward has happened to it. Unpack and repack the dress at least once a year to prevent any creases from becoming permanent.
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Avoid storing in attics or basements
Wedding dresses are often made of delicate fabric, and as such, they need to be stored with care. Attics and basements are not ideal places to store your wedding dress, as they can be damp and musty. Extreme temperature changes can also occur in these places, which can put the fabric under stress. For example, attics can reach temperatures more than 45°F higher than other rooms in your home during the summer.
Additionally, attics and basements are havens for critters such as mice, moths, and other rodents that can chew through storage boxes and damage your dress. Even if your wedding dress is well-protected, a leaking roof or flooding can still affect it if it is stored in an attic or basement.
It is best to keep your wedding dress in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate and the dress can be kept out of direct sunlight.
Overall, it is important to choose a storage location that will protect your wedding dress from potential damage and keep it in good condition.
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Pad the sleeves and bodice with acid-free tissue paper
To pack a wedding dress for storage, one of the steps is to pad the sleeves and bodice with acid-free tissue paper. This is a crucial step in preserving the shape of the dress and preventing sagging and creasing.
Firstly, lay the dress flat on a clean surface. Then, take the acid-free tissue paper and begin to gently stuff the sleeves and bodice. Ensure that you do not over-stuff, as this can cause the sleeves to stretch and lose their shape. Use just enough tissue paper to provide a gentle cushion and support for the dress.
Acid-free tissue paper is essential for this process. Regular tissue paper, especially coloured varieties, can contain acids and chemicals that can transfer onto the dress over time, causing discolouration and staining. Acid-free tissue paper is designed to be safe for long-term contact with the fabric and will not cause any damage.
By padding the sleeves and bodice, you are providing crucial structure and support to the dress. This will help to maintain the original shape of the dress, especially if it is stored hanging up. The tissue paper will also help to protect the dress from creasing, ensuring that it stays smooth and wrinkle-free.
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Check on the dress every 6 months
Checking on your wedding dress every six months is an important step in ensuring that it remains in good condition. During these check-ins, you should carefully unpack the dress and inspect it for any signs of damage, such as discolouration, stains, or insects. It is also a good opportunity to refold the dress, as this can help to prevent creases from becoming permanent.
When checking on your dress, pay close attention to the condition of the storage box or container. Make sure that the box remains sturdy and intact, with no gaps or tears that could allow insects or dust to enter. Inspect the dress for any signs of moisture or mould, especially if the box has been stored in an area with fluctuating temperatures or humidity.
Additionally, use these check-ins to ensure that the dress is still properly stuffed and supported. For example, if you used acid-free tissue paper to stuff the bodice and sleeves, make sure that it is still in place and has not shifted or fallen out. This is crucial in maintaining the shape of the dress.
Finally, these check-ins provide an opportunity to repack the dress using fresh materials. For instance, you may want to replace the tissue paper with new sheets to ensure that the dress remains well-protected. By taking the time to carefully inspect and repack your wedding dress every six months, you can help ensure that it remains preserved for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
You should store your wedding dress in a sturdy box that eliminates light, protects from dust, accidents, and insects. The box should be made of breathable, pH-neutral material, such as heavy board with a fitted lid. Avoid plastic, cardboard, or any other material that is not acid-free.
The ideal storage location for a wedding dress is a warm, dry spare room with no history of insects, leaks, or damp. Basements and attics are not recommended due to potential dampness and mustiness.
Before storing your wedding dress, ensure that it is clean and dry. Consider having it professionally cleaned, especially if it has any stains or marks. Do not store your dress in a plastic bag or hanger for long periods, as this can cause discolouration and stretching.
It is recommended to check on your stored wedding dress every six months to ensure its condition. Unpack and repack the dress occasionally to prevent creases from becoming permanent.
Yes, you can hire a professional wedding dress preservation specialist to clean and store your dress safely. They will use specialised materials and techniques to ensure the long-term stability of the fabric.
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