Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding dress is a precious garment, and many brides want to preserve it for future generations or as a keepsake. Proper storage is essential to prevent damage and discolouration. It is recommended to have your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved, as they will use specialised techniques to ensure your gown is in mint condition. You can then store your dress at home in a cool, dark place, such as a closet or under your bed, in an acid-free archival box.
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What You'll Learn
Professional cleaning
The wedding dress is a delicate garment, and proper cleaning and storage are essential to ensure its longevity. Professional cleaning is the first step in wedding dress preservation. Here are some detailed instructions for professionally cleaning your wedding dress:
Choose a Specialist Cleaner
Select a professional dry cleaner that specializes in wedding gown preservation. Ask family and friends for recommendations or contact the bridal boutique where you purchased your gown. Verify the dry cleaner's credentials and inquire about their specific experience with wedding gowns. Different gowns may require different cleaning methods, so ensure they have expertise in handling the specific fabric and details of your dress.
Act Quickly
The sooner you can get your wedding dress to a preservationist or dry cleaner, the better. Ideally, take your dress off as soon as the reception is over and arrange for it to be cleaned immediately. Stains can become permanent if left untreated for weeks, and even an apparently clean dress may have invisible stains or bacteria that can cause discolouration over time.
Point Out Stains and Details
When you take your dress to the cleaner, be sure to point out any visible stains and any loose trim, buttons, or other details. Discuss how the trim is attached to the gown, as some adhesives may dissolve during the dry cleaning process.
Choose the Right Solvent
Ensure the dry cleaner uses a solvent that is gentle and pure. Solvents used for regular dry cleaning may contain impurities that can leave an unpleasant odour on your dress.
Avoid Hanging
Do not hang your wedding dress, as this can lead to stretching, warping, or tears from stress on the seams.
Use Acid-Free Materials
Wrap your dress in acid-free paper or tissue paper to protect it during storage. Acid-free materials will also prevent any beads, sequins, or embroidery from snagging or scratching the fabric.
Store in a Cool, Dark Place
After cleaning, carefully handle the dress with clean hands or white cotton gloves to prevent oils from transferring to the fabric. Store your dress in a cool, dry, dark place, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet or under your bed. Avoid attics, basements, and other areas prone to temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can promote the growth of mould or mildew.
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Avoid plastic covers and cardboard boxes
While plastic covers and cardboard boxes are easily accessible, they are not ideal for storing a wedding dress. Plastic bags can trap moisture, leading to bugs, mildew, and oxidation, causing further damage to the dress over time. Plastic covers are also not breathable, which is an essential factor in preserving wedding gowns.
Cardboard boxes, unless made with special pH-neutral board, contain acid that passes into the dress fabric, causing discolouration and yellowing. The tissue paper used to wrap the dress will also become acidic if stored in a non-acid-free box and will need to be changed regularly.
If you are using a box, it should be sturdy enough to eliminate light, protect from dust and accidents, be made of breathable material, and be pH neutral. A box made of heavy board with a fitted lid will protect from insects, providing there are no gaps between the lid and base.
To avoid the issues that may arise from using plastic covers and cardboard boxes, it is recommended to store your wedding dress in an acid-free garment bag or box. You can also look into specialised storage options such as UV-blocking materials or a cover to shield the dress.
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Store in a cool, dark place
Storing your wedding dress in a cool, dry, dark place is essential to protect it from damage. Wedding dresses are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, so it is best to store them in a climate-controlled environment.
Firstly, it is important to keep your wedding dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as these can permeate the fabric over time. Choose a storage location within your primary living quarters, such as the top shelf of your everyday closet, which is typically well-ventilated and accessible. Basements and attics are not ideal as they are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage. Additionally, avoid hanging your wedding dress for extended periods, as it can cause strain on the fabric and seams, leading to stretching or warping over time.
Secondly, ensure that your wedding dress is stored in an acid-free and pH-neutral environment. Avoid using regular cardboard boxes, as they can contain acids that cause discolouration and yellowing. Instead, opt for specialised storage options such as acid-free garment bags or boxes made with pH-neutral boards. The tissue paper used with the dress should also be white and acid-free.
Lastly, while long-term storage is intended to preserve your wedding dress, regular inspections are necessary. Every six months, inspect the dress for any signs of damage or pests. If necessary, refold the dress along different lines to prevent permanent creases. Maintaining these regular check-ups will help detect any issues early on, ensuring your dress remains in excellent condition.
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Avoid attics, basements, and garages
Wedding dresses are precious items that require careful storage to protect them from damage and discolouration. While attics, basements, and garages offer ample storage space, they are not suitable places to store a wedding dress due to the potential for water damage, extreme temperatures, pests, and other environmental factors.
Attics are prone to dramatic temperature swings, with temperatures fluctuating more than 45°F higher than conditioned rooms in the summer. These extreme temperature changes can weaken the fabric of your wedding dress over time. Attics are also havens for pests, including mice, rodents, and moths, which can chew through fabric and leave holes and stains. The nesting materials used by these pests can further damage delicate items. Moreover, attics are often less frequented, allowing infestations to go unnoticed until significant harm has occurred.
Basements, while considered out-of-the-way and safe for long-term storage, pose significant risks to your wedding dress. They are prone to flooding, high humidity, and fluctuating temperatures, all of which can damage the delicate fabric of your gown. Basements are also popular spots for mice and other critters that can chew through storage chests and damage your dress.
Garages are not ideal for wedding dress storage due to extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can stress the delicate fabric. Garages often contain chemicals, fumes, and grease that can permeate the preservation chest and stain the dress. The proximity to vehicles and tools increases the risk of physical damage from spills or accidents. Additionally, garages are prone to break-ins, and the opening and closing of the garage door can allow pests easy access, further endangering your wedding dress.
To ensure the preservation of your wedding dress, it is best to avoid attics, basements, and garages and opt for a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a climate-controlled closet or a storage chest under your bed. Regular inspections of your dress are also crucial to detect any issues early on and maintain its excellent condition.
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Hang or store flat?
Hanging your wedding dress is a convenient option, especially if you plan on taking it out to try it on or admire it. However, hanging a wedding dress for long periods can cause strain on the fabric, seams and shape, and may lead to stretching and warping over time.
If you have the space, it is better to store your wedding dress flat. This takes the pressure off the fabric and reduces the risk of damage. It is important to note that wedding dresses are heavy, so if you choose to hang your dress, ensure that the hanger can bear the weight.
If you decide to store your dress flat, it is best to wrap it in acid-free tissue paper and place it in a sturdy, pH-neutral box. The box should be made of heavy board with a fitted lid to protect the dress from insects, dust, light, and accidents. Avoid storing your dress in plastic bags or cedar chests, as these can trap moisture and produce damaging acidic gases, respectively.
If you choose to hang your dress, use a sturdy, wide hanger that can support the weight of the dress. It is also recommended to use a garment bag to protect the dress from dust and light. Avoid hanging the dress for long periods in the same place, as gravity will pull on it, causing it to distort or stretch over time.
Additionally, it is crucial to have your wedding dress professionally cleaned before storing it to remove any stains and bacteria that can cause discolouration or yellowing over time.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to store a wedding dress is to have it professionally cleaned and preserved, and then stored in an acid-free archival box.
Archival boxes are constructed from acid-free materials and crafted into solid, secure boxes that resist dust, dirt and light infiltration.
The best places to store your wedding dress are in a closet or under your bed. Avoid attics, basements, and garages as these areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, air and water leaks, and vermin damage.
Hanging your wedding dress is not advised for long-term storage as it can distort and stretch the fabric over time. Instead, store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet.
It is recommended to check on your wedding dress every six months to inspect for any signs of damage or pests.
