Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding dress is a symbol of one of the most important days of your life, so it's only natural that you'd want to preserve it for years to come. Wedding dress preservation is key if you want your dress to look perfect for years or even decades. The first step is to get your dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner to remove any stains, dirt, sweat, or oils that could cause damage over time. Once your dress is in pristine condition, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet. Avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes, as these can trap moisture and cause discolouration. Instead, wrap your dress in white, acid-free tissue paper and store it in a sturdy, pH-neutral box that eliminates light and protects from dust, accidents, and insects. Check on your dress every six months to a year to ensure it remains in excellent condition. With proper care and storage, your wedding dress will maintain its beauty and integrity for generations to come.
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What You'll Learn
Get it professionally cleaned
Getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned is an important step in preserving your gown. Even if your dress appears clean, there may be dirt, sweat, or bacteria that can cause discolouration or yellowing over time. To prevent this, find a professional dry cleaner that specialises in bridal wear. They will use specialised techniques to remove any stains and ensure your gown is in pristine condition before storage.
When choosing a dry cleaner, be sure to ask questions about their training, experience, and the cleaning process. You want to ensure they use a solvent that is gentle and pure enough for a wedding gown. Avoid dry cleaners that use harsh solvents, as these can leave a strange smell on your dress.
Once your dress is professionally cleaned, carefully handle it to prevent any oils from getting on the fabric. Be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves when handling the gown. Check the dress for any loose threads, missing buttons, or embellishments that need fixing before storage.
After your dress is cleaned and treated, it can be placed in its specialised packaging and shipped back to you for storage. Store your dress in a cool, dark place, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet, to prevent sunlight from damaging the fabric. Avoid storing your dress in the attic or basement, as these areas can be prone to temperature changes, insects, and moisture.
By getting your wedding dress professionally cleaned and following the proper storage guidelines, you can help ensure your gown remains in excellent condition for years to come.
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Avoid plastic dress covers
While plastic dress covers may seem like a good option for storing your wedding dress, they are, in fact, one of the worst options for long-term storage. Here are some reasons why you should avoid using plastic dress covers to store your wedding dress for a year:
- Plastic dress covers can trap moisture, leading to mildew and mould growth.
- Over time, plastic emits gases that can degrade the fabric of your wedding dress.
- Plastic dress covers let in light, which can cause the fabric of your wedding dress to fade.
- They do not allow for changes in humidity, and in extreme cases, this can cause condensation and mould.
- PVC plastic covers will disintegrate after several years, and particles may drop onto the fabric of your wedding dress.
Instead of using a plastic dress cover, opt for a purpose-made storage box that is acid-free and pH-neutral. These boxes are designed to protect the delicate fabric of your wedding dress and prevent any chemical reactions that might lead to irreversible damage.
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Store in a cool, dark place
When storing a wedding dress, it is important to choose a cool, dark place within your primary living quarters. The top shelf of your everyday closet is a great option. Somewhere with a moderate temperature and moderate humidity is best. Avoid storing your wedding dress in an attic or basement, as these locations can be prone to leaks, dampness, insects, and extreme temperature changes.
It is also important to note that wedding dresses should not be stored in an airtight box. While many people recommend never breaking the seal of the box, this is contrary to what expert clothing conservationists advise. The goal is to keep the dress in a stable and predictable environment, which can be achieved by using a box that can be easily opened and inspected at least once a year.
When choosing a storage container for your wedding dress, opt for a sturdy box that eliminates light, protects from dust and accidents, is breathable, and is made from pH-neutral materials. A box made of heavy board with a fitted lid will provide adequate protection from insects and other potential hazards. Additionally, use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your dress and cushion it during storage. The tissue paper will help prevent any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric.
It is recommended to inspect your wedding dress every six months to ensure it remains in excellent condition. During these check-ins, you can refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. Regular check-ups will allow you to detect any issues early on and take the necessary steps to address them.
By following these storage tips and choosing a cool, dark place for your wedding dress, you can help preserve its beauty and integrity for years to come.
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Check on the dress every 6 months
Checking on your wedding dress every 6 months is an important step in ensuring its preservation. This regular check-up allows you to detect any issues and address them promptly, keeping the dress in excellent condition. Here are some detailed instructions for checking on your wedding dress every 6 months:
Firstly, choose a suitable location to unpack and inspect the dress. Select a clean, dry, and flat surface away from direct sunlight. Avoid unpacking the dress near windows or in areas with high humidity, such as the kitchen or bathroom, to prevent any potential damage.
When you unpack the dress, be cautious and gentle. It is advisable to wear white gloves to avoid transferring any oils or dirt onto the fabric. Carefully remove the dress from its storage box or container, taking care not to snag or damage any delicate fabrics, beads, or embellishments.
Once the dress is unpacked, begin your inspection. Check for any signs of discolouration, stains, or damage. Look for issues such as loose threads, missing buttons, or torn fabric. Pay close attention to the seams and folds of the dress, as these areas are more susceptible to stress and damage over time.
If you notice any creases or folds in the dress, you can use a portable steamer to gently remove them. Never use an iron on the wedding dress, as this can cause irreversible damage to the fabric. You can invest in a portable steamer specifically designed for clothing care, such as the Jiffy ESteam, to help remove creases effectively.
After inspecting and addressing any necessary issues, you may need to refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. This step is crucial in maintaining the dress's shape and condition. Use acid-free tissue paper to cushion and protect the dress during refolding, preventing any beads or embellishments from snagging or scratching the fabric.
Finally, carefully repack the dress into its storage container. Ensure the container is sturdy, breathable, and made from pH-neutral materials to protect the dress from light, dust, accidents, and insects. Store the container in a cool, dry, and dark place within your primary living quarters, such as a spare room or your everyday closet. Avoid storing the dress in the attic, basement, or any areas with extreme temperature changes.
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Use acid-free tissue paper
When storing a wedding dress, it is important to use acid-free tissue paper. Acid-free tissue paper is perfect for storing delicate garments such as wedding dresses and helps to ensure that the dyes in your fabrics will not transfer or react to the paper itself. Standard tissue paper has acids and other chemicals that help them function, but over time, these acids can leach into the fabric and cause damage. Acid-free tissue paper is made without these damaging chemicals and can be used for long-term storage.
Acid-free tissue paper gives your clothing a little room to breathe and helps to prevent colour transfer in the long term. It is also useful in preventing any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric. When using acid-free tissue paper, carefully lay out as many sheets as you need, depending on how many garments you plan to store. If you are storing a dress that has multiple colours, fold it with a sheet of tissue paper in between to prevent colour transfer.
Rolling your wedding dress is a good way to avoid stretching and creasing. When reasonable, this is a better method than using hangers or folded stacks. When you do fold your wedding dress, separate the layers with sheets of acid-free tissue paper. You could also put tissue inside the dress, particularly in the bodice, for extra protection. If the box is thick enough, roll some tissue up into a tube, scrunch it gently, and insert it inside any folds to help the fold be more gentle.
Acid-free tissue paper can also help to protect your wedding dress from moths. Clothes Moth Larvae feed on natural materials like feathers, wool, fur, or silk, and these fabrics are especially attractive to moth larvae. Storing your wedding dress properly with acid-free tissue paper will help to prevent moth larvae from wreaking havoc on your dress.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use a professional preservation service to store your wedding dress for a year. This involves cleaning, treating, and packaging your dress using museum-quality techniques and materials. However, if you are looking to store your wedding dress at home, here are some tips:
- Get your dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner.
- Avoid using plastic dress covers or regular cardboard boxes as they can trap moisture and bacteria in the dress.
- Store your dress in a sturdy box that is made of heavy board with a fitted lid to protect it from insects, dust, light, and accidents.
- Place the dress in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a spare room or closet, with no history of insects.
- Check on the dress every six months to ensure nothing has happened to it, and consider repacking it to prevent permanent creases.
Even if your wedding dress appears clean, there may be dirt, stains, sweat, or bacteria on it that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. A professional dry cleaner that specialises in bridal wear will be able to remove these and ensure your dress is in pristine condition before storage.
You should use a sturdy box that is made of pH-neutral, heavy board with a fitted lid. This will protect your dress from insects, dust, light, and accidents. Avoid using plastic dress covers, plastic bags, or regular cardboard boxes as they can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to discolouration and damage to the dress.
You should store your wedding dress in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a spare room or closet, with no history of insects. Avoid storing it in the attic or basement as these areas can be prone to leaks, damp, and insects, which can damage the dress.
You should check on your wedding dress every six months to ensure it is still in good condition. Unpacking and repacking the dress can also help prevent any creases from becoming permanent.
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