Franklin Dean
If your wedding dress has been damaged by mildew, there are several ways to remove the stains and odour. Once cleaned, you can recycle your wedding dress by selling it, donating it, or repurposing it.
Mildew appears as black, brown, or white spotting or staining on the surface of cotton, linen, rayon, silk, wool, or other materials. To remove mildew, first identify the fabric type. Some fabrics must be professionally cleaned or do not hold up well under spot-cleaning with acidic solutions, especially silk and wool. If you decide to spot-clean at home, use a mild solution and test it on an inconspicuous area of the dress first. You can also try gently brushing the mildew stains with a paintbrush or washcloth outside, so that spores do not travel to other items. To clean the entire garment, either gently hand wash with a mild soap and allow it to air dry, or have it professionally dry-cleaned.
Once your dress is cleaned, you can choose to sell it on a generic selling site such as eBay or Vinted, or on a specialist site such as Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding. You can also rent out your dress on apps such as By Rotation, or lend it to a bridal boutique. If you would rather donate your dress, organisations such as Adorned in Grace, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Brides for a Cause, Operation Prom, and Cinderella’s Closet will accept wedding dress donations to help clothe brides and students for their special occasions.
If you would like to keep your dress, you can repurpose it into a wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or a robe. You can also transform it into a decorative item, such as a throw pillow, a patchwork quilt, or a DIY shadow box.
How to recycle an old mildew wedding dress
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Identify the mildew | Mildew appears as black, brown, or white spotting or staining (sometimes called "foxing" and mistaken for rust) |
| Examine the fabric | Identify the fabric of the dress, as some fabrics must be professionally cleaned or do not hold up well under spot cleaning with acidic solutions, especially silk and wool |
| Brush off the mildew | Use a paintbrush or washcloth to carefully brush off mildew stains outside, so that spores do not travel to any other items |
| Test stain removal methods | Try spot cleaning in an inconspicuous area first to avoid damaging the dress. Use a diluted solution of lemon juice or vinegar, and dab or spray on the stain. Let it sit, then rinse with cool water and let it air dry |
| Repeat the process | If the test is successful, repeat the process for other stains on the dress |
| Clean the entire garment | Gently hand wash with mild soap and allow to air dry, or send for dry cleaning |
| Prevent future mildew | Store the dress in a fabric garment bag in a cool, well-ventilated, dry place. Avoid storing in plastic bags |
| Recycle the dress | Once cleaned, the dress can be recycled by selling, donating, or repurposing it |
| Recycle ideas | Dye the dress, turn it into a christening gown, a piece of jewellery, a bag, a throw pillow, a quilt, a robe, a mini dress, or a tablecloth, among other options |
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What You'll Learn
Remove mildew stains with vinegar, lemon juice, or a spot cleaner
If your wedding dress is made of fabric, you can try removing mildew stains with vinegar, lemon juice, or a spot cleaner.
First, try using vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the stained areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with clear water. You can also try adding a few drops of vinegar to a commercial dry-cleaning solvent or spot cleaner.
Lemon juice can also be effective in removing mildew stains. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the stained areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with clear water.
There are also several commercial spot cleaners that can be effective in removing mildew stains. Look for products containing petroleum distillates or hydrocarbons such as trichloroethane, xylt methylene chloride, methane, benzene, or naphtha. Always test these products on an inconspicuous area first to ensure they won't damage the fabric. When using any cleaning solutions, provide adequate ventilation and avoid open flames, especially when using flammable solvents.
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Dye the dress a new colour
Dyeing your wedding dress can be a great way to transform it into a unique piece that you can wear again. It can be an opportunity to create a dress for any non-wedding special occasion. Dyeing your wedding dress can also be a way to save some cash, as you can update your gown without having to buy a new one.
Before dyeing your dress, it is important to test out the dye on a small piece of fabric to ensure that you are happy with the colour and that the fabric takes the dye well. You can use any scrap or sample fabric that you may have leftover from alterations to the dress. If you do not have any extra fabric, you can check near the seams on the inside of the dress to see if there is an area that can be snipped out to serve as a swatch.
Once you have tested the dye and are happy with the colour, it is time to dye the dress. Add your wet garment to the dye bath and stir slowly and continuously for ten minutes to avoid splotching. The exact amount of time the dress should remain in the liquid will depend on the fabric, but an hour is generally the maximum. After dyeing, add a fixative, then rinse the dress in cool water until the water runs clear. Finally, wash the dress with mild detergent and warm water, rinse again, and hang to dry.
When choosing a colour, it is recommended to opt for a darker, richer colour, as these can help to disguise any marks on the dress. It is also important to consider the colours that you love to wear, particularly for occasion wear. You can also get inspiration from occasion wear collections to see how different colours look on various fabrics.
It is worth noting that not all wedding dresses can be dyed, so it is important to check the label before proceeding. Additionally, dyeing a wedding dress can be a challenging process, and it is recommended to seek professional help if you are unsure.
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Sell the dress online or in-person at a bridal boutique
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, there are several online platforms and in-person options to consider.
Online Options
You can list your wedding dress on various online platforms, such as Stillwhite, PreOwned Wedding Dresses, Tradesy, and Nearly Newlywed. These websites offer different fee structures, with some charging a listing fee and taking a commission percentage from the sale, while others, like Stillwhite, charge a one-off fee with no commission. When listing your dress, it's important to include detailed information such as the designer, style, alterations, fit, and any accessories included. You can also utilize features like photos and videos to showcase your dress's unique features and movement.
In-Person Options
If you prefer to sell your dress in person, you can consider visiting local wedding consignment shops or bridal boutiques. Consignment shops specialize in used wedding items and cater to local buyers, but they may charge fees and a commission rate for their services. On the other hand, bridal boutiques like Savvy Bridal Boutique in Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas, offer top-notch services to help you sell your dress. Selling in person allows buyers to try on the dress, reducing the likelihood of refunds.
Regardless of the platform you choose, selling your wedding dress is a great way to recoup some of the costs from your wedding day and give your dress a new life!
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Donate the dress to a charity or theatre group
Donating your wedding dress to a charity or theatre group is a great way to ensure it sees a second life.
Charities
There are many charities that will accept wedding dress donations. Brides for a Cause, for example, collects and resells wedding dresses to raise funds for women-focused charities. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another option, which resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Other charities that accept wedding dress donations include The Brides Project, which raises money for programs and services at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, and Brides Across America, which passes on dresses for free to military and first responder brides.
Theatre Groups
Donating your wedding dress to a local theatre group is another option. Wedding dresses can be useful for theatre groups when they put on plays that include weddings. You could donate your dress to a local high school or university theatre department.
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Transform the dress into a new garment, such as a christening gown
Transforming your old wedding dress into a christening gown is a great way to recycle the garment and create a family heirloom. If you're handy with a needle and thread, you can attempt to make the christening gown yourself, or you can enlist the help of a professional seamstress or company specialising in dress transformations.
If you're going the DIY route, you'll first need to deconstruct the wedding dress. You can then follow a pattern to sew the christening gown, using smaller pins to avoid damaging the fabric. You can add embellishments from the wedding dress, such as a satin trim or lace details. It's a good idea to sew sample swatches first to avoid making mistakes on the actual gown. Once you've finished sewing, you can have the christening gown professionally dry-cleaned.
If you'd rather leave it to the professionals, companies such as Unbox the Dress, Little Doves, and Infinity Keepsakes can transform your wedding dress into a christening gown. Unbox the Dress offers a design consultation service, allowing you to personalise every detail of the new garment. The transformation process can take up to 15 weeks, and you may need to have your dress dry-cleaned before sending it to the company.
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Frequently asked questions
Mildew appears as black, brown, or white spotting or staining. To remove it, you can try gently coaxing the stains with a paintbrush or washcloth outside. For more stubborn spots, try a small amount of stain remover on an inside seam or hem. You can also try a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar or lemon juice. If none of these methods work, consult a reputable dry cleaner.
There are many ways to recycle your old wedding dress. You can sell it on generic selling sites such as eBay or Vinted, or on specialist sites such as Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding. You can also rent it out on apps such as By Rotation or Hurr. If you'd like to donate it, you can give it to local thrift stores such as Goodwill or charities such as Brides Against Breast Cancer or Brides for a Cause.
You can get your wedding dress altered into a more wearable garment, such as a charming mini dress or a two-piece set. You can also turn it into a christening gown, a throw pillow, a piece of jewellery, or a bag.
Avoid storing your wedding dress in plastic bags, as this can cause mildew. Instead, store it in a fabric garment bag in a cool, well-ventilated, dry place.
To pass down your wedding dress, make sure to store it correctly to prevent it from becoming moth-eaten. You can also get it turned into a christening gown for a new baby in the family.
