The day you say “I do” is sure to be a highlight of your life. A wedding dress is one of the most important purchases a bride will make because of its prominent role in the ceremony and afterwards.
Because of this, it’s crucial to carefully preserve your wedding dress so that it can be enjoyed for decades to come.
Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know to keep your wedding dress looking as stunning as the day you wore it, from the planning stages to the reception.
If you want your wedding dress to be a treasured heirloom or simply a reminder of your special day, follow these guidelines to ensure its long life.
What Is The Best Preservation Of Wedding Dress?
If you want your wedding dress to look as good as the day you got married, preservation is a must. Some great options for protecting your bridal gown:
Clean The Dress Before Storing It
Washing your wedding dress before storing it is essential to protect its quality and prevent any harm caused by stains, dirt, or sweat that may have gathered on your special day. It’s preferable to take it to a cleaner who specialises in wedding gowns to be cleaned.
They are experienced in working with delicate textiles and may use non-harmful techniques to clean the garment thoroughly without damaging the fabric.
The sooner you have your wedding dress cleaned after the big day, the better. If you wait too long to clean, the stains will set in and be more difficult to get rid of. Wedding dresses are delicate, so it’s best not to use anything harsh on them, like bleach or fabric softener.
It’s important to air dry the dress well after washing it. If the dress has wrinkles, the cleaner will probably steam it or press it. After having your wedding dress cleaned, it is important to follow the cleaner’s specific care and storage instructions.
Store The Dress In A Cool, Dry Place
The wedding dress must be kept in a cool, dry environment to prevent the fabric from weakening, yellowing, or developing mould and mildew. High temperatures and/or humidity can ruin the fabric by causing it to retain moisture and become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.
The fabric of your wedding dress will last longer and look better if you keep it in a cool, dry environment. The best place to keep your dress is in a closet or armoire in a dry, cold corner of your home.
You shouldn’t keep it in the basement, attic, or garage because of the extreme temperature and humidity changes those places experience.
The storage bag or container is just as crucial as the place you put it. To prevent mildew and preserve the shape of your wedding dress, you should keep it in a cotton or muslin garment bag.
This style of the bag lets the material breathe, which reduces the risk of mildew and mould formation from condensation. To keep your dress from turning yellow or discolouring, never store it in a plastic bag.
Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper
When putting away your wedding dress, make sure to use acid-free tissue paper to protect it from spills and stains. Permanent discolouration, deterioration, or brittleness of the fabric may result from prolonged exposure to acidic substances.
Normal tissue paper typically contains acids, lignin, and sulphur; acid-free tissue paper does not. These substances are present in common tissue paper and can eventually discolour and damage the cloth.
Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your wedding dress before keeping it in a garment bag. Wrinkles and creases can be avoided in the dress by using tissue paper to separate the folds.
Avoid using standard tissue paper or coloured paper since their dyes may transfer onto the fabric and leave a stain or discolouration.
If you want to make sure that your wedding dress is stored and preserved properly, you can invest in some acid-free tissue paper, which can be bought in most craft stores or ordered online.
The quality and preservation of your wedding dress, which will be a treasured keepsake for years to come, can be aided by the use of acid-free tissue paper.
Avoid Plastic Bags
When preserving your wedding dress, it’s best not to keep it in a plastic bag, since this can lead to the fabric becoming discoloured or yellowed due to the accumulation of moisture.
Because plastic bags don’t allow air to circulate, they can retain any moisture or humidity in the surrounding air and damage the contents of the bag over time.
Fabrics stored in plastic bags are more likely to become brittle and disintegrate more quickly than they would in an airtight container. Delicate materials like silk and lace are especially vulnerable to harm from plastic bags.
Garment bags made of cotton or muslin are ideal for preserving your wedding dress because they enable the fabric to breathe and avoid the buildup of moisture that can cause mould and mildew.
Dust and light exposure, which can cause the fabric to fade or yellow over time, are also prevented by these sorts of bags.
If you absolutely must store your wedding gown in a plastic bag, take it out as soon as possible and place it in a garment bag that allows air to circulate. Don’t keep your bridal gown in a sealed plastic bag for too long.
If you want your wedding dress to stay in pristine shape and prevent the fabric from deteriorating over time, it’s best to keep it out of plastic storage bags.
Investing in a garment bag that allows air to circulate will go a long way towards protecting the condition of your wedding gown for years to come.
Check On The Dress Periodically
It’s crucial to keep an eye on your wedding gown and make sure it hasn’t been ruined by its storage conditions. Checking in on your wedding gown every few months is a good idea, even if it doesn’t need much in the way of upkeep.
At the appointment, look for stains, mould, or mildew on the dress to determine its condition. Check for the appearance of any stains or spots where the cloth has begun to yellow or fray.
The sooner you fix a problem after discovering harm, the less likely it is that the problem will worsen. Use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner on a delicate cloth to spot clean any stains or markings. Don’t use bleach or other abrasive cleaning agents on the fabric, since they will ruin it.
Make sure the garment is kept stored in an area that is cool, dry, and well-ventilated. Look for mould or moisture in the garment bag, and if you see any discolouration or damage to the acid-free tissue paper, throw it away and get a new one.
You can keep your bridal gown in pristine shape by checking on it regularly and making any required alterations to its storage environment. If you take good care of it, your wedding dress can last for generations to come.
Conclusion
If you want your wedding dress to look beautiful and last for years to come, proper storage is crucial.
Cleaning the dress before storing it, using acid-free tissue paper, avoiding plastic bags, storing the dress in a cool, dry place, and checking on the dress regularly are all crucial aspects of preserving your wedding dress.
By taking these precautions, you will lessen the likelihood of the cloth being damaged by heat, humidity, or moisture. Discolouration, yellowing, and other forms of wear and tear can be avoided with careful storage and upkeep.
Your wedding dress is an important heirloom that you should protect for the future. Visit justfresh nz today!