Believe it or not but there are tons of things that you can do with your wedding gown after the big day. While some brides choose to sell it off or donate it to a charity, there are others who choose to preserve it as a precious keepsake for future generations. So, for those looking to preserve their expensive wedding gown in pristine condition, here’s our thorough guide on professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation.
How to store the gown after the big day?
In our opinion, the best way to have the gown cleaned and stored is to have it cleaned and preserved by a professional who uses industry-best cleaning techniques and has experience in handling gown preservation. From there, handling the storage bit is pretty straightforward – just follow the guidelines.
- Store the wedding gown in a cool, dark place, away from humidity or places that experience temperature irregularities.
- If you’ve had the gown cleaned but want to store the gown yourself, try not to store it in a plastic bag. Plastic tends to seal the moisture in, which further damages the gown in the long term.
- Never store the gown or the preservation box in the attic or in the basement, as such areas are prone to temperature fluctuations, water leaks, and more. Always store the gown in temperature-controlled environments.
- Keep the gown away from other clothing items to avoid acid transfer and staining.
What is wedding dress preservation and why do you need it?
As the name implies, professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation is specialized cleaning and treatment plan that keeps your wedding gown pristine for years to come.
Bridal gowns are generally delicate garments that feature tons of intricate designs and embellishments. However, over time, they tend to turn yellow or suffer other forms of damage, particularly if they aren’t stored properly after the wedding. This is where professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation shines.
How long can you wait to preserve the wedding gown?
While you can wait for months and years before opting for professional wedding dress cleaning, we’d recommend getting the gown cleaned immediately after the wedding celebrations. The longer you wait, the deeper the stains (both visible and invisible) set in, making the cleaning process much harder than it should actually be. Moreover, if left untreated, the stains may scar the gown permanently.
Can a yellowed gown be whitened?
Yellowed wedding gowns can be whitened, but preservation is still considered a safer alternative. Believe it or not, but it takes a wedding dress only about six months to lose its sheen and turn dull or yellow. Thus, it’s usually better to avoid the hassle in the future and instead settle for professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation within a week after the celebrations.
If you want to have your old and discolored wedding gown brought back to its former glory, try looking for reliable dress preservationists who also have notable experience in dress restoration. Find out if they have the expertise in handling yellowed gowns. Go through their online reviews to connect with some of their previous clients to find out if they are happy with the cleaning and preservation process.
What causes the gown to turn yellow?
A wedding dress generally turns yellow due to the chemical breakdown of the fabric. This can be in the form of the following.
- Transfer of contaminants from poor-quality packing materials, plastic, and cardboard.
- Fiber degradation due to excessive heat, high humidity, and light radiation.
- Decomposition of chemicals that were part of the gown manufacturing process.
- Stains and contaminants such as spills, sweat, deodorants, and more.
- Contact with various contaminants or pollutants in the air.
Key takeaway
No matter how bad the condition of your gown is, get it checked by a reliable wedding dress cleaning and preservation expert. We recommend Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation. They’ve been in business for a while now and have helped thousands of brides in keeping their gowns pristine. Connect with them to know more about their cleaning and preservation process and their transparent pricing policy.