Franklin Dean
Your wedding dress is one of the most important items of clothing you'll ever wear, so it's essential to keep it safe and damage-free before the big day. Many bridal boutiques will provide a garment bag to protect your dress from light, water, and air damage, but it's important to note that not all garment bags are alike—avoid plastic bags that can trap moisture and lead to mould growth, and emit fumes that may discolour the fabric. Instead, opt for a breathable fabric bag or wrap your dress in a cotton sheet. If you're hanging your dress, be mindful of its weight—heavy dresses with multiple layers or heavy beading are best stored flat to avoid straining the seams and shape. Choose a cool, dry, and dark storage location, such as a spare closet or guest room, away from heat sources, excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and strong odours.
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What You'll Learn
Garment bags
When using a garment bag, it is recommended to store your dress flat, rather than hanging it. Wedding dresses are heavier than regular clothing, and hanging them can cause strain on the fabric, seams, and shape over time. If you do choose to hang your dress, use the hanger straps inside the gown, as they are designed to bear the weight of the dress. Make sure the bag is large enough to comfortably fit the gown, and avoid hanging it in a steam-filled bathroom as this can cause wrinkles.
To prevent discolouration, keep your dress in a dark place, such as a closet or guest room. Avoid storing it in attics or damp areas, as this can lead to mould and other damage. It's also important to control the climate; keep your dress in a comfortable temperature and avoid heat sources, as well as direct sunlight.
There are several garment bags on the market that are designed specifically for wedding dresses. Some features to look for include water resistance, durability, and lightweight fabric. You may also want to consider a bag with wheels for easy transport. Some bags even have transparent fronts so you can easily see your dress inside.
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Climate control
- Avoid heat sources: Keep your dress away from direct heat sources, as they can cause damage.
- Control humidity: Humidity control is essential when storing your wedding dress. Aim for low humidity and avoid excessive moisture to prevent mould or discolouration.
- Protect from light: Light can cause fabric discolouration. Store your dress in a dark place, and consider using a breathable garment bag or wrapping it in a towel to protect it from light exposure.
- Choose the right storage container: Avoid plastic bags or boxes that can trap moisture and emit fumes, leading to mould growth and fabric discolouration. Opt for a breathable garment bag or a specially treated plastic box.
- Regular monitoring: While long-term storage is intended to preserve your dress, it's important to check on it regularly to ensure the climate conditions remain optimal.
- Avoid odours: Keep your dress away from cooking or smoking odours, as they can permeate the fabric over time.
- Weight considerations: Heavy dresses with multiple layers or heavy beading may be better stored flat to reduce strain on the fabric and seams. Lighter dresses can be hung up, but avoid long-term storage on a hanger to prevent stretching and seam stress.
By following these climate control tips, you can help ensure your wedding dress remains in pristine condition until your special day.
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Hanger vs. flat storage
Wedding dress hangers and boxes are two standard methods of storage. Garment bags with hangers are used for hanging storage, whereas a wedding dress box is built from archival-grade materials that are sturdy, acid-free, and pH-neutral. The best approach to preserving a wedding dress is to store it in a box. The box should be made of acid-free, pH-neutral materials to prevent the fabric from yellowing and deteriorating.
Hanging storage is more suitable for dresses that require frequent access or handling, such as those used for fittings, alterations, or photo shoots. It is also a helpful option for the time right after the wedding, when the dress may still need to be handled or cared for frequently. When hanging the dress, use a padded hanger to reduce tension on the garment and prevent stretching or distorting. Additionally, use a garment bag to protect the dress from damage that can be caused by light, water, and air. However, avoid plastic garment bags as they can emit fumes that can cause the fabric to turn yellow.
On the other hand, if you plan on storing your wedding dress for an extended period, it is better to lay the dress flat in a box. Wedding dresses are significantly heavier than normal clothing, so hanging them can cause strain on the seams and shape, leading to stretching and fabric distortion over time. When storing the dress flat, use a breathable fabric garment bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet. Place it in a room or space that isn't a "high-traffic area," such as the top shelf of a spare closet, to avoid damage.
Regardless of the storage method chosen, there are some general considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid storing your wedding dress in areas with fluctuating temperatures and humidity, such as basements and attics, as this can cause mould, mildew, and fabric damage. Secondly, do not store your dress in direct sunlight, as this can cause the fabric to fade. Finally, ensure that your wedding dress is professionally cleaned before storing it to prevent stains and fabric rot.
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Storage location
The storage location of your wedding dress is important to preserve its integrity. If you have a heavy dress with multiple layers of fabric, heavy beading, or intricate details, it is best to store your dress flat. You can lay it inside a breathable garment bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet or acid-free tissue paper, and place it on a shelf in a spare closet or a guest room. Avoid hanging heavy dresses on a hanger for too long, as it can cause strain on the seams and shape.
If your dress is lighter, with fewer layers, it can be hung up somewhere safe, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and pets. A breathable garment bag or a cotton sheet can be used to cover the dress and protect it from damage caused by light, water, and air. A spare closet or guest room is ideal, as these spaces are generally cooler, darker, and less humid.
Regardless of the weight of your dress, it is important to control the climate and humidity of the storage location. Extreme temperatures can cause damage and discolouration, and high humidity can lead to mould growth. Avoid storing your dress near heat sources, excessive moisture, or direct sunlight. Cooking or smoking odours can also permeate the fabric over time, so choose a location where the dress won't be disturbed frequently to reduce the risk of accidental damage.
Some brides opt to store their dresses at a family member's or friend's house, especially if they live with their fiancé and want to keep the dress a secret. You can also keep your dress at the bridal boutique or salon until a few days before the wedding.
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Removing wrinkles
Wedding dresses are often stored in garment bags, but these are typically only suitable for short-term storage. Long-term storage in plastic bags can cause discolouration and staining, as chemicals break down and emit gases. It is best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a room or space that isn't a "high-traffic area" in your house, such as the top shelf of a spare closet.
If your wedding dress is wrinkled, there are several methods you can use to remove them. One common method is to hang the dress in a steamy bathroom. To do this, hang the dress in the bathroom and turn on the shower to the hottest temperature. Make sure the door is closed and the fan is off to keep the steam in the room. You can also try hanging the dress somewhere high a few days before the wedding, so that wrinkles and creases can drop out.
If your dress is still wrinkled a day or two before the wedding, you can try using a steamer. If you use a steamer, be sure to use only distilled water, as regular water may stain the dress. You can also try using an iron, but be careful not to apply direct heat to the fabric, especially if the dress is made of tulle, as it may melt. Instead, place a towel or washcloth over the fabric before ironing.
If you're unsure about removing the wrinkles yourself, you can always take the dress to a local seamstress or dry cleaner for help. Some bridal boutiques may also offer steaming services for their dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to keep your wedding dress in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate and the dress can remain out of direct sunlight. It should be kept in a temperature-controlled space, such as a closet or a guest room.
It depends on the weight of your dress. If your dress has heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric, it is best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. If your dress is made of lighter fabric, such as satin or silk, you can hang it up in a safe place away from sunlight and moisture.
You should avoid using plastic bags or boxes to store your wedding dress, as they can trap moisture and cause mould growth or discolouration. Instead, use a fabric bag or an acid-free storage box to keep your dress in perfect condition.
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