George Boyle
Wedding dresses are often one of the most important and sentimental pieces of clothing a person will ever wear. However, they are also extremely long and touch the floor a lot, so stains are inevitable. While taking your gown to a cleaner is always an option, it can be expensive and you may prefer to clean it yourself. If you're going to do it yourself, it's important to know how to use the right cleaning agents to avoid turning the fabric yellow or damaging any beads. For example, if you're using Oxi-Clean, you should pour a bath of lukewarm water, stir in some soapy detergent, and then add around three scoops of Oxi-Clean if it's appropriate for the type of fabric your dress is made with.
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What You'll Learn
- Preparing the dress: Remove any metal parts and treat stains
- Choosing a detergent: Use a gentle detergent like Ivory powder or Woolite
- Using OxiClean: Add 3 scoops of OxiClean to the bath, only if suitable for the fabric
- Soaking the dress: Soak for 4-24 hours, agitating the water with your hands
- Rinsing and drying: Rinse the dress 3 times, then lay it flat to dry, preserving its shape
Preparing the dress: Remove any metal parts and treat stains
Preparing the dress is an important step in the cleaning process. It is recommended to start by removing any metal parts from the dress, such as metal eye-hooks, buttons, snaps, or zippers. This is because these metal pieces could rust during the soaking process, or they might snag on other parts of the dress and cause tears. It is best to remove them and then sew them back on once the dress is clean and dry.
Next, you can begin treating any stains on the dress. Start by identifying the type of material the dress is made of, as different fabrics react differently to chemical cleaners. For example, silk and satin are very reactive to chemicals, while polyester may be more durable. If there are any visible grease stains, you can pretreat them with a liquid detergent or a solvent. For particularly stubborn black grease stains, a solvent may be required.
Once you have treated the stains, you can move on to the next step of the cleaning process. Remember to always test any cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous area of the dress first to ensure they do not cause discolouration or damage to the fabric.
It is important to note that some wedding dresses may require professional cleaning, especially if they have intricate details such as embroidery or lace appliqués. Experienced dry cleaners know the best methods to clean delicate gowns without causing any damage. However, with the right products and care, it is possible to successfully clean your wedding dress at home.
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Choosing a detergent: Use a gentle detergent like Ivory powder or Woolite
When choosing a detergent for your wedding dress, it's important to select a gentle option, especially if your dress has intricate details like beads, sequins, or delicate fabric such as lace. Ivory powder is a recommended choice for its gentle nature. Ivory is designed for sensitive skin, being free of dyes, perfumes, parabens, phosphates, enzymes, brighteners, and chlorine. Accepted by the National Eczema Association, Ivory is a pure soap that has been trusted for over 140 years.
Another gentle detergent to consider is Woolite. Woolite detergents are formulated to gently clean and care for your garments, helping them look like new and last longer. Woolite is suitable for a range of fabrics, from everyday jeans to delicate wool and silk items. It can also be used for polyester, synthetic fabrics, and linen, ensuring your wedding dress is cared for appropriately.
If your dress has any visible grease stains, you may want to pretreat those areas with a gentle liquid detergent like Dawn, which can effectively target grease stains. For chocolate stains, a Tide to Go pen can be useful. These targeted treatments can ensure that any stains are addressed appropriately before the overall wash.
When considering a detergent, it's important to avoid harsh chemicals that may damage the fabric or cause discolouration. Some dry cleaning solvents may leave behind residue or unpleasant smells, and there is a risk of beading melting or turning yellow. By choosing a gentle detergent and testing on a small area first, you can help ensure the safety of your dress.
Always read the care instructions for your wedding dress and consider patch testing any detergent on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not cause discolouration or damage to the fabric.
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Using OxiClean: Add 3 scoops of OxiClean to the bath, only if suitable for the fabric
Wedding dresses are often long and touch the floor, so stains are inevitable. If you're looking to clean your wedding dress with OxiClean, it is important to first check that the fabric is suitable for this treatment. The manufacturer of OxiClean suggests that it should not be used on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or fabrics labelled dry-clean only. It should also not be used on jewellery, latex paints, woven baskets, unpainted wicker, jute, teak, or finished wood.
If your wedding dress is made from a fabric that is suitable for treatment with OxiClean, you can add 3 scoops of the product to a bath of warm water. It is important to note that you should not use hot water, as this can set any remaining stains and make them harder to remove. Submerge the dirty parts of the dress, such as the hem and train, into the water and let it sit for a few hours.
After this initial soak, gently swish the dress around in the water to help remove the OxiClean solution. You may need to repeat this process a few times to ensure that all of the solution has been rinsed away. Once you are satisfied that the solution has been removed, hang the dress to dry. It is important to avoid using a dryer or any other form of heat, such as an iron, as this can set any remaining stains.
Once the dress is completely dry, you can carefully steam it with a steamer and then store it properly.
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Soaking the dress: Soak for 4-24 hours, agitating the water with your hands
Soaking a wedding dress is a delicate process that requires careful consideration of the fabric type, the severity of stains, and the detergent used. Before you begin, ensure that you have identified the fabric of the dress, as this will influence the temperature of the water and the duration of the soak.
When soaking the dress, fill a bathtub with warm water and add a gentle detergent. It is important to avoid using hot water, as this can cause certain fabrics to shrink or fade. Submerge the dress completely, ensuring that it is not overcrowded in the tub, as this may prevent the dress from moving around freely and reduce the effectiveness of the soak.
Agitate the water with your hands to ensure that the detergent is evenly distributed and that all parts of the dress are cleaned. You can also gently swish the dress around in the water to help remove any soap residue. If there are any visible stains, you can apply a small amount of detergent or stain remover directly to the affected area before soaking.
Allow the dress to soak for 4-24 hours, depending on the severity of the stains. For moderate stains or odours, such as food spills or sweat, aim for a longer soak of around 4 hours. If the dress has been exposed to oil-based stains, such as grease, a longer soaking time may also be required. For lightly soiled dresses or routine soaking, 30 minutes to 1 hour may be sufficient.
During the soaking process, gently agitate the water with your hands every hour or so to ensure optimal results. After soaking, thoroughly rinse the dress to remove any leftover detergent or dirt. Repeat the rinsing process if necessary, until all soap residue is gone.
Remember that the agitation process is crucial to the success of the cleaning process. While it may be tempting to simply let the dress soak without agitation, this will reduce the effectiveness of the detergent's ability to bind to dirt and oils, resulting in a less thorough clean.
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Rinsing and drying: Rinse the dress 3 times, then lay it flat to dry, preserving its shape
Rinsing and drying are crucial steps in wedding dress cleaning and preservation. Here is a detailed guide to ensuring your gown is thoroughly rinsed and dried while preserving its shape:
Rinsing:
- After treating stains and cleaning your wedding dress, it is essential to rinse the dress thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent or cleaning agents.
- Drain the bathtub of dirty water and rinse it out. Refill the tub with cool water.
- Gently swish the dress in the water to ensure that all the soap is rinsed out. This step may need to be repeated several times.
- If there are still stubborn spots or stains, gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of detergent, then rinse again.
Drying:
- Once you are satisfied that all the soap has been rinsed out, carefully remove the dress from the tub.
- Due to the weight of a wedding gown, it is recommended to hang the dress on a padded hanger or lay it on a large drying rack to dry.
- If hanging, use a sturdy rod or rail that can bear the weight of the wet dress. Avoid wire or wooden hangers as they can distort the shape of the dress.
- If laying flat to dry, choose a clean, flat surface and gently arrange the dress to preserve its shape.
It is important to note that wedding dresses are delicate and intricate, so they should be handled with care during the rinsing and drying process to maintain their shape and structure.
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Frequently asked questions
Before cleaning your wedding dress, remove any metal parts, such as eye-hooks, buttons, snaps, or zippers. These could rust or snag on the fabric and cause tears.
First, check that OxiClean is appropriate for the type of fabric your dress is made with. Then, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and stir in a gentle detergent. Add around three scoops of OxiClean and gently agitate the water with your hands. Place your dress in the mixture and gently agitate the water again. Let it soak for four to twenty-four hours. If the water becomes yellowed, empty and refill the bath. Rinse the dress at least three times, then lay it flat to dry, so it holds its shape.
You can also use a solvent for grease stains, or a laundry detergent for an overall wash. For spot cleaning, use a stain remover, white vinegar, or baking soda. Gently scrub at stains with a toothbrush and detergent. You can also use a Tide to Go pen for small stains.
Wedding dresses with details such as embroidery or lace appliqués may require professional cleaning. If your dress has beading or sequins, it is also best to take it to a professional, as these can be damaged or melted by certain solvents.
