3 Important Tips Every Bride Should Know Before Having Your Dress Cleaned & Preserved
1. The Cleaning Process
Most gowns go through quite a beating on the wedding day. From sand and water to grass and dirt, gowns can acquire numerous types of soil from the ground-up. Did you know there are stains invisible to the eye? Sugar stains are the most common and don’t pose a problem until months and/or years later if not cleaned properly. Wine, champagne, beer, and soda are the most common threats. Sugar can also come in the form of self tanner, makeup, deodorant, perfume, and hairspray. An educated and seasoned preservationist will know the difference between these stains and the appropriate steps to remove them, including the stains we cannot see. Keep in mind that preservation companies will clean the gown for you as part of the process and generally offer vast knowledge specific to wedding gown cleaning.
***Does your gown/veil have glitter on 1 or more layers? Is anything glued? Be very careful to hand over your gown to just any company. Make sure they know how to properly clean these special textiles!
2. Not all preservation methods work!
This is where most brides go wrong. But it’s really not your fault. Unless you’ve spent time in a museum and were properly educated about the science behind storing textiles, then you’re just a normal bride looking for the easiest and most cost-effective way to get this done. Let’s settle the confusion. There are 2 types of preservation. Sealed and unsealed. Sealed versions have a viewing window and are made of cardboard. These methods do not allow you access to your gown and void the warranty if you open it. This method leaves you with no real recourse if something goes wrong. And considering you can’t see majority of the gown, it’s pretty safe to say it could be years before you realize your gown was potentially damaged during the process. Also, textiles need movement. Sealed boxes prevent you from giving your gown the necessary movement to prevent folds from becoming permanent creases over time.
However, the second method is unsealed (OUR METHOD). These boxes utilize stable polypropylene boxes with no viewing window. The gown is layered with archival tissue and wrapped in muslin. These act as filters to protect the gown from light, humidity, bugs, and dust. The tissue will also absorb any acid near or on the gown, preventing it from turning yellow. If you want access to your gown for any reason, you'll have it! It is recommended to open your box every other year. According to conservationists, it’s a much safer environment for your gown, as you can offer movement and monitor the process.
3. Storing your gown
Once your gown is cleaned and preserved it’s up to you to store it safely. Stay away from a garage, storage unit, attic, or basement. Temperature and humidity changes can wreak havoc on your precious gown. Recommended areas for storage include a closet, under a bed, or in a guest bedroom.
Museum-quality allows you access to your gown 24/7! We recommend opening your box every other year to offer movement and to monitor the process. If you choose to wear your gown or veil in the future, no problem! After being worn, your garment will need to be cleaned once more and goes back into its original packaging.
OUR BOXES
Our polypropylene boxes are one-of-a-kind!
We use the same material that museums have used to preserve fine linens and textiles for the better part of the last century.
They come in 3 sizes- Small, Medium & Large!
We determine the proper box size for your dress during your initial drop-off appointment. After taking into consideration a few aspects of your dress- fabric type & thickness, number of layers, length of the train, and overall "poofiness"- we make sure to choose a box that will comfortably fit not only your dress, but also your veil if you choose to include it! Thus, the style of your dress and size of the box determines your package and price. Packages include BOTH professional cleaning and museum-quality preservation.
Contact us for a quote!
If you'd like an estimated price range before your drop-off appointment, we'd be happy to provide you with a quote. Just send us a picture (or two!) that shows the full length of your dress. They can be from your try-on, wedding day, or anything in between- feel free to text or email them over!
WE TAKE PAYMENTS!
We understand how stressful planning a wedding can be, especially on your finances. We offer 6-8 week payment plans to help ease the process. Packages start at $399.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ready to start the process? Book now with one of our preservation specialists, in-person or at your home/office.