Bridal Gowns (Part 4: After the wedding)
The simple question is: If the wedding is over and you’re not going to wear the gown again (unless you are taking pictures), then why clean it?
Whether you keep your gown to restyle or to hand down, or you intend to sell it to a secondhand store, it will need to be cleaned. A gown that sits uncleaned for weeks, months or even years, may not be of use to anyone.
- Drycleaning is not a magic process and it does not remove all the stains encountered at weddings. But, it is especially effective on oils, makeup, lipstick, wax, some grass stains, and light hem soil.
- If you have stubborn grass or mud stains on the train and hem, be aware that there might be only limited removal in drycleaning. Wet cleaning may also be an option.
- While not all gowns can be wet cleaned, this process generally removes a greater amount of hem soil and grass stains. If treated promptly, wetcleaning can remove “invisible” spills from champagne and white wine.
- Some these spills are typically clear in nature at the time of the spill and may contain dangerous sugars that can caramelize or oxidize and turn yellow — but may not be visible until the gown has been cleaned.
- Try to recall the source of large spills and show the areas to your drycleaner before the gown is cleaned and preserved in a box.
This tip is © The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without permission.
More tips
- BRIDAL GOWNS (Part 3: Secondhand and heirloom gowns)
- Bridal Gowns (Part 2)
- Bridal Gowns (Part 1)
- Shoes and Boots: Storage (Part 3)
- Winter Stains on shoes and boots (Part 2)
- Winter Stains on clothing; salt, snow and rain (Part 1)
- Silk Care and the Holidays (Part 3)
- Silk Care (Part 2)
- Silk Care (Part 1)
- Carpet Care (Part 2)
- Carpet Care
- Closet Care: The change of season (Part 3)
- Closet Care: The change of season (Part 2)
- Closet Care: The change of season (Part 1)
- Spring Cleaning for Down-filled Items
- Spring cleaning for household items
- What more can your drycleaner do with an almost impossible task?
- Tablecloths and Napkins
- Upholstery and Furniture Covers
- Covering or disguising stains and tears
