A wedding dress is a precious possession for one and all. Most wedding dresses are of light colours, wrought with embellishments, and composed of sensitive fabric. On the day of the wedding, the wedding dress often has to bear the brunt of food and wine spills leading to the appearance of ugly stains on the dress. You may wash and clean the wedding dress at home but most of the time, cleaning a wedding dress at home can be a huge mistake. Exposure of the delicate fabric to water or rough agitation of the dress inside a washing machine may cause fabric damage and shrinkage. However, proper cleaning and preserving wedding dress is crucial for preservation of its beauty over the years. Professional launderers apply different techniques and use their experience and expertise to clean wedding gowns. Read on to know more about the tips and tricks of cleaning wedding dresses.
Smart Tips For Wedding Dresses Cleaning and Preservation:
#1 – Read the Instruction Label Carefully:
Always check the instruction label before cleaning a wedding gown. Wedding gowns come in different kinds of fabric and each fabric requires a different cleaning approach. While some wedding dresses can be cleaned by hand washing in water, other wedding dresses can only be dry-cleaned with chemical solvents. The instruction label may also indicate whether you may use detergent or not and if exposure to excessive heat should be avoided for eliminating wrinkles and fold lines in the dress.
#2 – Perform a Quick Patch Test:
Perform a patch test on a hidden section of the wedding dress to make sure that the dress is not sensitive to water, soap, and cleaning solvents. Apply water and cleaning agents to an inconspicuous section of the wedding gown to make sure that there is no shrinkage or damage of the fabric. Wait for the section to become dry and clean before you proceed to clean the rest of the wedding gown.
#3 – Focus on the Treatment of Stains:
Wedding gowns often have stubborn marks of wine, food, make-up and dirt. Examine the stained area carefully under bright lighting and mark the stains with tape. The tape helps to ensure targeted cleaning of the stained area and prevents the stain from percolating deep into the fabric of the wedding gown. Use a mild bleaching agent to wipe out the stains and then proceed to wash and clean the wedding gown.
For stains of food or wine, use a white handkerchief to blot out the fluid from the stains. Combine a mild detergent soap with hydrogen peroxide and dab the stained area with the mixture to eliminate the stain completely. For marks of lipstick and makeup, you may use dishwashing soap to clean the stains. Do not rub the stained region as that might cause spreading of the stain. If the stain is too stubborn, then you may use rubbing alcohol to eliminate the stain. For stains of dirt and grass, it is recommended to use a solution of water and apple cider vinegar. Dab the stained region with the solution and then wash the wearing gown in cold water to clean it. For stains of deodorant or body fluids, you may use baking soda or lemon juice combined with salt to prevent discoloration of the wedding dress.
#4 – Clean the Wedding Gown According to the Fabric of the Gown:
For dresses of silk and satin, use lukewarm water and a gentle soap for handwashing the dress. Do not rub silk or satin wedding gowns too vigorously during washing as that might cause damage to the fabric. For wedding gowns of tulle and lace, it is recommended to use a mild detergent soap combined with lukewarm water. Swish the soiled wedding dress gently in water and make sure not to scrub the dress too roughly as that might cause damage to the fabric. For a final wash, rinse the wedding dress in cold water and aerate it in the sun. Remember not to use a tumble dryer for drying out wedding dresses. For organza and chiffon gowns, it is recommended to handwash wedding dresses of such sheer fabric in a solution of mild soap and water. Do not use harsh chemical solvents for cleaning sheer dresses. Wash the wedding dress thoroughly in cold water and then roll the dress in a white towel to get rid of the excess moisture. Use a handle steamer to eliminate creases and wrinkles after drying the wedding dress in the sun.
#5 Take Good Care of the Embellishments:
Wedding dresses are often designed with sequins, beads, and embroidery work that requires special handling during laundry. For embellished wedding dresses, you may turn the gown inside out to preserve the embellishments. Now use a mild detergent soap mixed with water to clean the dress. Do not soak the sequined or beaded regions in water as the fabric adhesives tend to become weak over time upon exposure to water. If the fabric of the wedding dress is lightweight, then you may opt for hand washing the wedding dress. However, if the wedding dress is heavyweight and requires professional attention, then it is highly recommended to reach out to a laundry service centre for cleaning the wedding dress. For most wedding gowns, drycleaning is the best option. If your wedding dress is made of satin, silk or organza, then you should consider dry cleaning the dress with chemical solvents to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the wedding dress.
Conclusion:
Follow the tips and techniques for maintaining the glorious appearance of your precious wedding dress. Store the wedding dress neatly in garment boxes and remember to wash it at least once or twice every year for maintenance of cleanliness. If cleaning the wedding gown seems too difficult for you then you may consider reaching out to Hello Laundry for wedding dress cleaning and professional drycleaning services.