Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics such as chiffon, silk, polyester, nylon, taffeta, dupioni, and satin, which can crease and wrinkle easily. While professional steaming will produce the best results, there are several ways to unwrinkle a wedding dress at home, including using a handheld steamer, an iron, or the hang on the bathroom door during a steamy shower trick.
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare a chiffon wedding dress
Chiffon is a delicate, lightweight, and luxurious fabric often used for wedding dresses. Its dreamy texture is perfect for creating layers and drapes, and it is known for its effortless, shimmery, sheer drape. However, its airy, delicate weave is prone to wrinkling and puckering.
If your chiffon wedding dress is made of nylon or polyester, it is easy to de-wrinkle at home. Here are some tips on how to prepare your chiffon wedding dress:
Use a Garment Steamer
Steaming is usually the safest method for removing wrinkles from chiffon. Use a handheld garment steamer to gently remove wrinkles without damaging the chiffon. Keep the steamer at least 6 inches away from the fabric and move steadily but do not linger in one spot to avoid water spotting. If your steamer has different heat settings, use the lowest one suitable for delicate fabrics.
Hang in a Steamy Bathroom
Another option is to hang your chiffon dress in a steamy bathroom for 20-30 minutes to relax the fabric and smooth out wrinkles. Before hanging the dress, run the shower on the hottest setting with the bathroom door closed to build up steam. Ensure the dress is hung in an area where it will not come into direct contact with water.
Iron on Low Heat
If you decide to iron your chiffon dress, always use the lowest heat setting to avoid damaging the fabric. Place a pressing cloth between the iron and the chiffon to prevent burns and shine marks. Iron on the reverse side to avoid visible damage and keep the iron moving continuously to prevent scorching.
Prevention
The most important part of the process is prevention. By storing and caring for your dress correctly, you can prevent future wrinkles and keep the fabric in pristine condition. Regular maintenance, including inspections and gentle cleaning, will keep the dress ready for any special occasion.
Remember to always test any wrinkle removal method on a small, inconspicuous area of the dress first to ensure it doesn't cause damage or discolouration.
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Using a handheld steamer
Before steaming, it is recommended to hang your dress on a padded hanger to allow any major folds to fall out. If your dress has decorations, it is advisable to cover it with a white towel to prevent stains, wrinkles, and burns. You can then begin steaming. Hold the steamer 6-10 inches away from the fabric to avoid burning or damaging the dress with water droplets. Gently sweep the steamer over the wrinkles in an up-and-down, side-to-side motion until the area is smooth. Repeat this process until the entire dress is unwrinkled.
If your dress has multiple layers, work from the inside out to ensure a smooth look. Glide the steamer directly onto the creases of the gown slowly, and be sure to cover the steamer head with a piece of fabric, such as a cotton cloth or a handkerchief, to catch any water droplets. This method will ensure your dress is wrinkle-free and ready for the big day!
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Ironing without steam
Wedding dresses are prone to wrinkling, especially when travelling. To avoid this, it is recommended to keep your gown in its garment bag when travelling and lay it flat or hang it up as soon as you arrive at your destination.
If your wedding dress is already wrinkled, there are a few methods to unwrinkle it without using steam. Firstly, you can try hanging the dress in a steamy bathroom. Run a very hot shower for 20-30 minutes with the door closed, and hang the dress high up, away from the water. You can then run your arm, wrapped in a dry, white towel, down the length of the dress to smooth out any remaining creases. This method is recommended for chiffon, nylon, or polyester dresses, as well as veils.
If your dress is made of satin, silk, taffeta, dupioni, or shantung, it may be best to dry clean it, as these fabrics can be delicate and prone to water stains and wrinkling. Dry cleaning is considered the safest and most gentle method for satin dresses, as it uses chemical solvents rather than water, preventing the dress from fading, shrinking, or stretching.
Alternatively, you can iron your wedding dress without steam, but this requires extra caution. Always check the care instructions on the garment's label and proceed with caution, as some fabrics can burn or melt under high heat. Use a clean pressing cloth and only iron the dull backside of the fabric, not the glossy front side. Set your iron to a super low heat setting, especially if your dress is made of cotton or synthetic chiffon. Avoid using the steam feature on your iron, as this can damage delicate fabrics.
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Hanging the dress to prevent wrinkles
Hanging your wedding dress is an important step in preventing wrinkles. When unpacking your dress, ensure you are in a safe, spacious, and well-lit area. Lay a clean sheet on the floor to create a clean and safe space for the dress. Find the highest point in the room, away from walls and chandeliers or curtain rods that might damage the gown, and hang your dress. You can allow air to circulate around the dress by unzipping the garment bag halfway.
If you notice any minor wrinkles or creases, try gently steaming the fabric. Hang the dress on a sturdy hanger and hold the steamer six to ten inches from the dress. Do not place the steamer directly on the gown. Instead, steam from the inside, covering the steamer head with a thin white towel or an old t-shirt to prevent water marks. Run the steamer slowly down the length of the gown, smoothing out any creases or wrinkles. Each skirt layer should be steamed separately, and depending on the style of the dress, you may need to position the material in a certain way, such as holding the skirt taut or hanging the sleeves correctly.
If your dress is made from natural materials like taffeta or silk, do not use a steamer as it may damage the fabric. Instead, use an iron on a silk setting. For chiffon, steaming is a good option for polyester and nylon, but silk chiffon should be handled by a professional. If you are unsure about how to treat your dress, always check the care instructions.
Another option for removing wrinkles is to hang the dress in the bathroom and run a very hot shower. Allow the room to fill with steam, then run a towel along the length of the dress to smooth out any remaining wrinkles. This method is also useful for removing wrinkles from a veil.
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Professional steaming services
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics and embellishments that are sensitive to heat, so it's important to be cautious when attempting to remove wrinkles. Professional steaming services are the best way to ensure your dress is properly cared for, and there are several options for achieving this.
Firstly, many bridal boutiques offer steaming services when you purchase a gown from them. This is often a free service, and they will be familiar with different types of fabrics and designers, so they can expertly prepare your dress for your wedding day.
If you are unable to access this service, there are companies that specialise in gown steaming, which can be hired to come to you. These professionals will also be knowledgeable about different dress fabrics and will be able to properly steam your dress, giving you peace of mind on your wedding day. This service usually costs between $65 and $250, depending on location, and often includes the veil in the price.
If you are unable to hire a professional, it is possible to steam your dress at home, but it is important to be careful. You can use a handheld steamer, but never apply steam directly to the dress, as water droplets can leave spots. Always use a clean, white cloth between the steamer and the dress to avoid stains. It is also important to hold the steamer 6-10 inches from the dress to avoid burning the fabric.
It is worth noting that some fabrics, such as taffeta, dupioni, shantung, and polyester, are more prone to wrinkling and can be difficult to steam effectively. For these fabrics, it may be best to use a dry iron on a medium to low heat with a clean, thin-weave pressing cloth.
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Frequently asked questions
Professional steaming will produce the best results. However, if you've travelled, this might not be an option. In this case, you can use a handheld steamer or iron your dress at home.
If using a handheld steamer, be sure to place a thick towel behind the fabric when you steam. This will allow the steam to stay longer in the fabric and hence take out the wrinkles more easily. Never apply steam directly to your dress, as water droplets can leave spots.
If your dress is made of silk or satin, it is better not to iron with steam. Iron without steam if you are uncertain about the fabric type, but be sure to ask the store owner or designer. If your dress is white, it is safer to iron from the inside.
The most important part of the process is prevention. If you store and care for your item correctly, it is less likely to wrinkle. When you get your dress, be sure to put it on a padded hanger right away. You may find that many of the folds will come right out. If your dress is relatively simple and hasn't been squished into a bag, hang it on a hook in the bathroom before you shower and let the steam from the shower smooth out the wrinkles.
