Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon, polyester, and tulle, which can easily wrinkle. To avoid wrinkles on your big day, it's recommended to consult bridal shop experts on how to maintain the gown's shape and fabric. Professional wedding dress stylists can provide solid recommendations for avoiding wrinkles and creases. If you plan to steam your dress yourself, be cautious as certain materials like embroidery, shantung, dupioni, and taffeta may become more wrinkled or shrink when exposed to heat. For chiffon dresses, it's important to use a small handheld steamer or iron on low heat, avoiding the steam feature on your iron to prevent burning the fabric. Satin dresses can be steamed, but it's essential to be cautious around decorations like gemstones or lace, as the glue could melt. If you're unsure, consider seeking professional help from dry cleaning specialists or using gravity by hanging the dress for several days before the event.
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What You'll Learn
Check the fabric of your wedding dress before steaming
Steaming is a great way to get wrinkles out of a wedding dress, but it's important to check the fabric of the dress before you start steaming. Some fabrics, like satin, silk, tulle, and polyester, are generally safe to steam. However, other fabrics, such as embroidery, shantung, dupioni, and taffeta, may be more prone to wrinkling or shrinkage when steamed.
If your dress is made of chiffon, be extra cautious as chiffon is a delicate and sensitive fabric. It's important to prevent heavy wrinkling in the first place by storing and caring for your chiffon dress correctly. If your chiffon dress does wrinkle, use a garment steamer on a low setting to lightly add heat and moisture and remove creases. Avoid using the steam feature on your iron, as this can damage the fabric.
For dresses made of embroidery, shantung, dupioni, or taffeta, steaming may not be the best option. These fabrics can sometimes become more wrinkled after steaming. Instead, consider using a dry iron on medium to low heat and a clean, thin white press cloth to protect the fabric.
Before steaming any wedding dress, it's a good idea to test the steamer on a similar fabric to determine the correct distance to hold the steamer from the dress. This will help you avoid accidentally damaging the fabric with too much heat.
Additionally, consider the decorations on your dress. If your dress has decorations such as gemstones or lace attached with glue, be careful when steaming as the glue could melt. Vintage veils, in particular, may be made of old polyesters that are extremely easy to melt under heat.
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Use a steamer, not an iron, for synthetic fabrics
Wedding dresses can be made from a variety of fabrics, and it is important to know which ones can be steamed and which ones cannot. Steamers are generally a better option for synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, viscose, and rayon. These fabrics are sensitive to heat and pressure, and steaming them can help to avoid scorching, burning, or shrinkage.
When using a steamer on synthetic fabrics, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most clothes steamers have special settings for synthetic fabrics, so be sure to select the appropriate setting. Hold the steamer nozzle about 6 inches away from the fabric and move it slowly and evenly without touching the fabric or letting the steam condense on it. It is also important to steam both sides of the garment to ensure that all wrinkles are removed.
In contrast to irons, steamers do not press or flatten the fabric, which can cause damage or shrinkage. Steamers are also a gentler option for delicate fabrics and can be used on most fabrics, including silk, wool, chiffon, lace, nylon, and polyester. Steamers can also be used on fabrics with embellishments, embroidery, or prints that may be ruined by an iron.
However, it is important to note that not all wedding dress materials should be steamed. For example, embroidery tends to shrink when exposed to heat, and fabrics like shantung, dupioni, and taffeta may become more wrinkled when steamed. Always check the fabric and other anatomical elements of the gown to ensure they can be safely steamed.
Additionally, when using a steamer, it is important to follow proper maintenance and cleaning procedures. This includes emptying the water tank after each use and allowing it to dry completely. Regularly cleaning the nozzle and hose with a damp cloth or brush will also help keep your steamer in optimal condition.
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Be careful of decorations when steaming
When steaming a wedding dress, it is important to be cautious of any decorations on the dress. Some decorations, such as rhinestones or gemstones, may be glued on, and the heat from the steamer could potentially melt the glue, causing the decorations to slip out of place or fall off entirely. Similarly, vintage veils made from old polyester are delicate and may melt under the heat of a steamer. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the steamer at a lower setting when steaming vintage veils or dresses with glued-on decorations.
Additionally, certain fabrics used in wedding dresses, such as embroidery, shantung, dupioni, and taffeta, should be avoided when steaming. Embroidery tends to shrink when exposed to heat, while the latter three fabrics may become more wrinkled after steaming. It is crucial to check the fabric of the dress and seek advice from bridal shop experts or tailors to ensure that steaming is safe for the specific materials and decorations of the gown.
To prevent any potential damage to the decorations or fabric of the wedding dress, it is advisable to cover the steamer head with a thin fabric, such as a clean white t-shirt or a thin white towel. This will catch any drops of water that could leave marks on the dress and prevent burning from the steam. It is also important to maintain a safe distance of 6 to 10 inches between the steamer and the dress during the steaming process, as holding the steamer too close can damage the fabric.
Overall, when steaming a wedding dress with decorations, it is crucial to be cautious of the heat settings, fabric type, and potential proximity to glued-on decorations. Taking these precautions will help ensure that the decorations remain intact and the fabric is not damaged during the steaming process.
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Hang the dress in the bathroom as a DIY steaming method
If you're looking for a DIY steaming method to remove wrinkles from a wedding dress, hanging the dress in the bathroom is an option. This method may not be as effective as using a steamer or iron, but it can help to reduce wrinkles, especially if you have several days before the wedding.
First, find a way to hang your dress in the bathroom. It's important to hang the dress as close to the shower as possible without the possibility of it getting wet, as some dresses could be damaged by water. Use a clean, fabric hanger, hanging the dress on the back of the door, rather than on the shower rod, to achieve the right distance from the shower.
Next, turn on the shower and ensure the water is hot to create steam. Keep the door closed to allow steam to build up in the room. Leave the water running for about 20-30 minutes for the full steam effect.
While this method can be a good backup option, it may not be suitable for all fabrics. For example, natural materials like silk and taffeta should not be steamed, and embroidery tends to shrink when exposed to heat. Always check that the fabric and other anatomical elements of the gown won't be damaged by steam. Additionally, this method may not remove all wrinkles, especially if the fabric is thicker.
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Consider getting your dress professionally steamed
Wedding dress steaming is the process of applying steam from hot water to the dress to release wrinkles and smooth the fabric. Wedding dresses are often made up of several layers, and a professional will ensure each layer is steamed individually for the best results.
Professional steaming is a good option if you want to save yourself stress and time. It is also a good option if you are unsure about the fabric of your dress and how it will react to steam. A professional will be familiar with different types of fabrics and designers and will be an expert in prepping the dress. They will also ensure that no water touches the dress, preventing any possible staining or excessive wrinkling.
Additionally, if your dress has any decorations, like gemstones or lace, a professional will know how to work around them without damaging the fabric or melting any glue.
The cost of professional steaming will depend on the city, the dress silhouette and fabric, how close to the wedding day the steaming is, and whether delivery is required. On average, it will cost $25 to $300, with some places charging up to $175 to $250.
If you are considering getting your dress professionally steamed, it is a good idea to discuss this with your bridal shop or seamstress, as they may include this in their package.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to steam a wedding dress. You can use a handheld steamer, hang the dress in a hot shower, or use an iron. If you are using a steamer, hold it six to ten inches from the dress and slowly run it down the length of the gown. If you are using the shower method, ensure the dress is hung close to the shower but with no possibility of it getting wet. If you are using an iron, be sure to use a low heat setting.
The best way to steam a wedding dress is to have it professionally steamed. Dry cleaning specialists know how to get creases out of a wedding dress without damaging the fabric.
Wedding dresses made from synthetic fabric or a blend of synthetic materials, like polyester, chiffon, or satin, can be steamed.
Wedding dresses made from natural materials like silk, taffeta, or shantung should not be steamed. Embroidery should also not be steamed as it tends to shrink when exposed to heat.
To prevent your wedding dress from wrinkling, store it correctly after it has been steamed. Place it in a very large garment bag and, once you bring it home, remove the dress from the bag so nothing is touching it.
