Deborah Chan
A wedding dress is one of the most important pieces of clothing a person will ever wear, so it's no surprise that many people want to preserve their dress after their wedding day. Proper storage is essential if you plan to sell your dress, pass it down to future generations, or simply want to maintain its beauty. The best way to store a wedding dress is to have it professionally cleaned and preserved, then stored in an acid-free archival box in a cool, dark place away from humidity, such as a closet or under a bed.
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What You'll Learn
Get it professionally cleaned
Wedding dresses are delicate and require special care when being cleaned and stored. Professional cleaning is the first step in wedding dress preservation, and the sooner you can get the dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. Ideally, the day after your wedding. Waiting weeks on end could lead to stains becoming permanent.
Before booking an appointment with a dry cleaner for your wedding dress, do your research and make sure you're going to a reliable dry cleaner that has experience cleaning wedding dresses. Look for a professional dry cleaner that specializes in wedding gown preservation. To find the best dry cleaner for the job, ask family and friends or call the bridal boutique you purchased your gown from for a solid recommendation. When you find the right dry cleaner, be sure to point out any stains and any loose trim or buttons. Discuss, if you know, how the trim is attached to the gown. Some designers use an adhesive that could dissolve during the dry cleaning process.
It is essential to get your wedding gown professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner before storing it. Even if it appears clean, there may be dirt or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. A professional dry cleaner that specializes in bridal wear will use specialized techniques to remove any stains and ensure that your wedding gown is in mint condition before being stored away. After cleaning, be careful when handling the dress. Be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves from this point forward to stop any oils from getting on the gown.
The cost of getting a wedding dress professionally dry cleaned will typically be between $200 and $300.
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Store in an acid-free box
Wedding dresses are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, and regular closets may not have the proper climate control. Therefore, storing your wedding dress in an acid-free box is a great way to protect your gown from discolouration.
Firstly, get your dress professionally cleaned by a trusted bridal dry cleaner to remove any stains and bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. Before storing, be sure to have clean hands or wear white gloves to prevent any oils from getting on the gown. Look over the wedding gown for any loose threads, embellishments or missing buttons, and fix these issues to prevent further damage.
Then, wrap your dress in acid-free tissue paper. The tissue paper will become acidic if stored in a non-acid-free box, so it will need to be changed regularly. Place the wrapped dress in an acid-free storage box. The box should be sturdy and made of heavy board with a fitted lid, which will protect the dress from insects and dust. The longer the box, the fewer folds will be needed, and a lower box will be easier to store. Make sure the box is not airtight, as this is contrary to expert clothing conservationist advice.
Store the box in a cool, dry, dark place within your primary living quarters, such as a spare room or closet. Keep the box away from attics, basements, heat sources, and pets. Check on the dress every six months or so to ensure nothing untoward has happened, and repack it at least once a year to prevent creases from becoming permanent.
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Avoid attics, basements, and garages
Wedding dresses are made of delicate fabric and are highly receptive to changes in temperature and humidity. Attics, basements, and garages are prone to extreme temperatures, high humidity, flooding, and pest infestations, all of which can cause irreversible damage to your wedding dress.
Attics are not ideal for storing your wedding dress as the temperature can reach up to 45°F higher than that of a conditioned room in your house, especially during the summer. This heat contributes to moisture buildup and harmful mold growth, which can significantly damage the fabric of your dress, especially over long periods. Additionally, attics are prone to leaks, general dampness, and insect infestations, which can further ruin your dress. Attics are also less frequented, allowing infestations and damage to go unnoticed.
Basements are another poor choice for storing your wedding dress. They are prone to flooding, high humidity, and fluctuating temperatures, which can lead to water stains and fabric deterioration. Basements often harbor insects, pests, mildew, and mold, which can cause irreversible fabric rot. Moreover, basements are susceptible to pipe leaks or bursts that may go unnoticed for extended periods, resulting in water damage to your dress.
Garages typically lack climate control, exposing your wedding dress to extreme temperatures and potential damage from chemicals, fumes, and grease. The fluctuating temperatures can cause the fabric to expand and contract, weakening it over time. Garages also increase the risk of physical damage from spills and accidents and break-ins. Additionally, the opening and closing of the garage door can allow mice, moths, and other pests to enter and damage your dress.
To ensure the preservation of your wedding dress, it is best to avoid storing it in attics, basements, or garages and instead choose a cool, dry, and dark place within your primary living quarters, such as a closet or under your bed in your master bedroom.
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Keep away from cooking or smoking odours
To keep your wedding dress away from cooking or smoking odours, it is important to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place. Sunlight can cause discolouration and fading, so it is best to avoid direct sunlight. You should also avoid storing your dress in plastic as it can trap moisture and cause mould growth. Instead, use a breathable garment bag or box designed for wedding dress storage, and make sure it is acid-free to prevent discolouration.
Additionally, it is recommended to store your wedding dress in a spare closet or a secondary closet, which provides the right conditions to protect the dress from damage. Keep the dress away from heat sources and pets, and avoid hanging it on a hanger for long-term storage as this can lead to stretching the fabric over time.
To further prevent odours, it is suggested to have your dress professionally cleaned before storing it. This will ensure that any stains or bacteria are removed, reducing the risk of discolouration or yellowing over time.
Lastly, it is important to inspect your wedding dress regularly, such as every six months, to ensure it remains in excellent condition. This allows you to detect any issues early on, such as pest damage or discolouration, and take the necessary steps to address them.
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Store flat, not on a hanger
Hanging a wedding dress on a hanger is not a good idea for long-term storage. The weight of the dress, especially if it has heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric, can cause stress on the seams and shape over time. Instead, it is best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet.
Choose a cool, dry, and dark place within your primary living quarters, such as a spare closet or the top shelf of your everyday closet. Avoid storing the dress in a basement or attic, as these areas are more prone to temperature fluctuations, dampness, and insect damage.
When storing your dress, be cautious of heat sources and keep it away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. It is also important to control the climate by maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level that you would find comfortable.
Additionally, consider using acid-free tissue paper to wrap the dress before placing it in the storage container. This will help protect the dress from discolouration and ensure that it remains in pristine condition. The tissue paper should be white, as coloured tissue paper can transfer dye to the dress.
Inspect the dress regularly, ideally every six months, to check for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, 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.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to store a wedding dress is to have it professionally cleaned and preserved. Then, store it in an acid-free archival box in a cool, dark place away from humidity, such as a closet or under a bed.
Even if your wedding dress appears clean, there may be dirt or bacteria that can cause yellowing or discolouration over time. A professional cleaner will use specialised techniques to ensure your dress is in mint condition before being stored away.
Before your wedding day, the best way to store your wedding dress is to keep it in its garment bag, hung somewhere safe, or laid flat. If you hang your dress, be sure to consider the weight of the dress—if it has heavy beading or multiple layers, it is best to store it flat.
It is recommended that you check on your stored wedding dress every six months to inspect for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases.
When storing your wedding dress, avoid plastic dress covers or cardboard boxes as these can trap moisture and bacteria. Also, avoid attics, basements, or garages, as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage.
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