Deborah Chan
Your wedding dress is a precious garment, often with intricate details and delicate fabrics. It is also a symbol of one of the most important days of your life, so it makes sense that you would want to preserve it. There are several ways to do this, including professional preservation services and at-home storage methods. Professional preservation involves cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials, protecting it from light, humidity, and insects. At-home storage requires acid-free tissue paper or a cloth garment bag, and a storage location that is cool, dry, and dark.
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What You'll Learn
Use acid-free tissue paper and boxes
If you want to preserve your wedding dress using acid-free tissue paper and boxes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure your dress has been professionally cleaned before folding it for storage. Acid-free tissue paper is essential as it will help protect the fabric of your wedding dress and prevent creases. It will also prevent any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric. The tissue paper acts as a cushion and protects the dress during storage.
When using acid-free tissue paper, be sure to fold the dress loosely to avoid creasing or damaging delicate fabrics. Fold the top of the dress inside and keep the bottom half or train of the dress outside. Avoid sharp folds, especially in areas where the fabric is more delicate or prone to wrinkles. The acid-free tissue paper will help maintain the wedding dress's quality and ensure it remains in mint condition.
You can then place the dress in an acid-free, lignin-free box designed specifically for preserving wedding dresses. Lignin is an organic substance found in wood pulp that can damage the fabric of your gown over time. The acid-free box will provide a breathable environment, maintaining the wedding dress's quality and protecting it from discolouration.
It is important to note that where you store your wedding dress is just as important as the preservation itself. 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. Checking on your dress regularly is also recommended, even while in long-term storage.
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Avoid plastic bags and cardboard boxes
While boxing your wedding dress is the preferred form of storage, it is important to avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes. This is because they can trap moisture and bacteria in the dress, leading to mould or mildew growth. Plastic materials may also have a distinct odour that could be transferred to the dress, and any condensation within the container will breed mould and mildew.
Instead, use acid-free tissue paper and store your dress in a cloth garment bag or a high-quality plastic box that doesn't off-gas. Acid-free tissue paper will help protect the fabric of your wedding dress and prevent creases.
If you do opt for a cardboard box, choose a heavy-duty one with a tight-fitting lid to protect the gown from dust, insects, and light. Cardboard boxes are naturally breathable, allowing air circulation to prevent fabric damage, and they are also better for the environment.
If you are unable to get your dress cleaned and boxed right away, store it in a 100% cotton bag and hang it on a padded silk hanger in a safe, clean, and dry space.
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Store in a cool, dry, dark place
Wedding dresses are made of delicate fabrics and adorned with embellishments, so proper storage is essential to preserving them. One of the most important factors in preserving your wedding dress is storing it in a cool, dry, and dark place.
A cool, dry, and dark location, such as a closet or a guest room, is ideal for keeping your wedding dress in good condition. Avoid attics and basements due to temperature and moisture changes, which can promote mould, mildew, or dry rot. Extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration, turning the gown yellow.
It is also important to maintain humidity control when storing your wedding dress. Keep the dress away from heat sources, excessive moisture, and direct sunlight. Cooking or smoking odours can also permeate the fabric over time, so it is best to avoid storing the dress near these sources.
To further protect your wedding dress, store it in a place where it will not be disturbed frequently, reducing the risk of accidental damage. While long-term storage is intended to preserve your dress, it is still essential to check on it regularly.
Additionally, consider using acid-free tissue paper to protect the fabric and prevent creases. You can also store the dress in an acid-free, lignin-free box designed specifically for preserving wedding dresses, providing a breathable environment that maintains the dress's quality.
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Consider professional preservation services
Wedding dresses are often made of delicate fabrics and adorned with intricate embellishments, making them difficult to clean and preserve. Professional preservation services offer expert care that safeguards your gown from improper storage or cleaning, ensuring its longevity for years to come.
Professional preservation specialists, such as those at Happily Ever After Preservation, offer a range of services, including meticulous cleaning and treatment of stains, both visible and hidden. They employ techniques specifically designed for delicate fabrics and intricate details, ensuring that your dress is handled with the utmost care.
The Knot, another preservation service, offers a Prestige Preservation Process that safeguards your gown from yellowing, fading, and deterioration. They also provide museum-quality storage, placing your dress in an acid-free, museum-quality chest designed to protect it for generations.
When choosing a preservation service, it is important to ask questions and ensure they are true professionals. Avoid services that offer one-size-fits-all cleaning approaches, as wedding dress preservation requires a unique treatment plan based on your dress's fabric, stitching, and details.
Some key considerations when choosing a professional preservation service include:
- Insurance: Ensure your dress is insured during transit and the preservation process.
- Packaging: Choose a service that uses acid-free packaging materials, such as archival boxes, to prevent yellowing and discolouration.
- Customisation: Look for services that offer custom return shipping options and cater to specific dress types, fabric types, and any spots or stains.
- Experience: Opt for companies with decades of experience and industry-leading preservation techniques.
By choosing professional preservation services, you can rest assured that your wedding dress will be meticulously cleaned, treated, and stored using the finest materials and techniques, preserving its beauty and elegance for years to come.
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Clean before storing
Wedding dresses are often made of delicate fabrics and adorned with embellishments, so professional care is the best way to safeguard them from the elements and mishaps that occur through improper storage or cleaning. If you want your wedding dress to be in mint condition, consider professional preservation services.
Professional preservation involves cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials. This process ensures that your dress is protected against aging factors such as light, humidity, and insects. It is important to get your dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner as soon as possible after your wedding.
If you want to clean your wedding dress yourself before storing it, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you should always wear gloves when handling a wedding dress to prevent oils from your hands discolouring the fabric. Secondly, you should hang the dress on a sturdy rod and allow it to drip and air dry. Once it is completely dry, use a garment steamer to release any wrinkles or creases from washing. After steaming, allow the gown to air dry completely before packing it away to prevent mildew growth.
When you find the right dry cleaner, be sure to point out any stains and any loose trim or buttons. Also, discuss, if you know, how the trim is attached to the gown. Some designers use an adhesive that could dissolve during the dry cleaning process.
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Frequently asked questions
You should store your wedding dress in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a closet or under your bed. Avoid attics or basements, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage. You should also avoid plastic dress covers or cardboard boxes, as they can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mould or mildew growth. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper and store your dress in an acid-free, lignin-free box designed for preserving wedding dresses.
Professional preservation services involve cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials. This process typically takes between two and ten weeks and costs between $250 and $800, depending on the material, embellishment, and soil level of your gown. Professional preservation ensures your dress is protected against ageing factors such as light, humidity, and insects.
It is best to act as soon as possible after your wedding day to avoid cleaning and preservation issues in the future. Even if your wedding gown seems to be in good condition, there may be invisible stains that will set in, oxidise, and darken over time.
Preserving your wedding dress allows you to cherish and relive the memories of your wedding day. Wedding dresses are also often passed down to future generations, so proper preservation ensures that your dress remains in good condition for its future wearer.
