The Bride's Heart

The most exciting, important day of your life is now just a memory, all of the festivities have ended, the bills are paid, the gifts have been opened, and it’s finally time to begin married life together.

However, there’s still one more very important detail that shouldn’t be overlooked; cleaning and storing your beloved dress. Procrastination is the wedding gown’s worst enemy and taking care of it properly is something that should be done as soon as possible.

The Various Methods of Wedding Gown Cleaning and Preservation

Regardless of the cleaning and preservation method used, wedding gowns should be stored completely cleaned and wrinkle-free in a cool, dry place. Many brides opt for dry-cleaning and then sealing the dress inside a preservation box, although many who are well versed in caring for garments and heirloom fabrics don’t recommend actually sealing the box after cleaning, and instead use different methods of storage.

The cleaning process will largely depend on what the fabric is made of, what the label recommends, and what type of embellishments the dress features. For those made mostly from polyester, wet-cleaning should be a safe method to use, and is also one that tends to be best for those gowns that are heavily soiled or stained.

The dry-cleaning method uses one of three different types of cleaning solvents, including perchloroethylene, which is the most commonly used and also the preferred choice for gowns made from rayon or silk. This type of solvent may work well at getting the fabric clean, but it may damage beads or sequins along with any glue that was used to hold them in place.

For dresses that feature a large amount of embellishments, the older and petroleum-based Stoddard solvent may be the better choice, although this type is rarely used except in the oldest of dry-cleaning establishments due to recent fire hazard restrictions.

Hydro-carbon is another petroleum-based solvent that’s relatively new to the dry-cleaning industry. Also called Exxon DF-2000, this solvent is safe for beaded gowns, but isn’t quite as effective at deep cleaning or degreasing as the first two options.

With any type of solvent or cleaning method, having experience and knowledge in caring for bridal gowns is imperative, so be sure to get a recommendation or referral before taking your dress to one particular dry-cleaner. Ask several bridal shops for their advice and inquire as to who cleans their gowns on a regular basis.

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Wedding Gown Storage Options