How to Clean and Preserve a Wedding Dress

After your big day, you'll be happy to hear that wedding dress cleaning and preservation can be done right at home. Of course, there is a proper way to wash, pack, and store the gown, veil, and keepsakes to keep everything protected and beautiful.

Most wedding dresses are light-colored fabric that can get easily stained on the big day from eating, drinking, dancing, photo shoots outdoors, and more. Even if it doesn't look soiled, sweat, food and drink stains, and makeup stains can show up later and become much more difficult to remove.

Every wedding gown needs to be cleaned after use, definitely before prolonged storage. Be careful with the cleaning and storage methods you use—employing the wrong techniques and storage containers can actually damage your dress. It’s especially important to be careful with embellishments like lace, beads, bows, and buttons. 

Here's how properly cleaning and storing your gown and accessories can help them last as a treasured heirloom for potentially hundreds of years.

How to Clean a Wedding Dress at Home

Planning for the future preservation of your wedding dress begins on the day you start shopping. When you find "the dress," ask the sales consultant how it should be cleaned, especially if it has delicate trim, beads, or sequins. If dress preservation is essential, order the add-on of a bustle for your dress.

If you have a simpler dress that doesn't have a lot of embellishments like beading, pearls, sequins, or delicate buttons, it might be a washable fabric.

Here's how to hand-wash your wedding dress at home only if it's not marked "Dry Clean Only."

1. Spot Clean Stains

   Get rid of stains using a stain remover, white vinegar mixed with water, a baking soda paste, or a few drops of mild dish detergent.

   • Place a clean cloth or paper towel below the stained portion to keep it from transferring deeper into the dress layers.
   • Apply a little bit of the cleaning agent.
   • Lightly blot the stain.
   • Dampen a clean section of the towel.
   • Dab the mark to rinse it out.

2. Clean Hemlines and Trim

   The hemline, trim, and dress train are susceptible to getting dirty when they brush against the floor.

   • Fill a clean bathtub or large basin with warm water and mild laundry detergent for gentle garments.
   • Submerge the hem and train, allowing it to sit for a few hours.
   • If it needs a more thorough cleaning, gently scrub the hem of the dress with a toothbrush and detergent after it has been in the tub.

3. Clean the Bodice

   The bodice or the top of the gown from the waist up is prone to perspiration stains, makeup, and other food and drink spills.

   • Make a mixture of warm water and a gentle detergent.
   • Put it into a spray bottle or use a clean, unused toothbrush and dip the brush into the solution.
   • Turn the bodice inside out.
   • Gently scrub all parts of the bodice or the top part of the gown.

4. Rinse

   • Drain the tub of water you've used to clean the other parts of the dress.
   • Refill it with warm water.
   • Submerge the dress in the water.
   • Gently stir it around in the tub.
   • Repeat the steps until the soap is off the dress.
   • Do not wring the dress.
     

5. Air Dry and Steam

   • Hang the dress on a sturdy rod, like a shower curtain rod. A hanger is too flimsy for the gown.
   • Allow it to drip and air dry.
   • Once completely dry, use a garment steamer to release any wrinkles or creases from washing.
   • After steaming, allow the gown to air dry completely before packing it away to prevent mildew growth.

How to Have a Wedding Dress Professionally Cleaned

Look for a professional dry cleaner that specializes in wedding gown preservation. To find the best dry cleaner for the job, ask family and friends or call the bridal boutique you purchased your gown from for a solid recommendation.

When you find the right dry cleaner, be sure to point out any stains and any loose trim or buttons. Also, discuss, if you know, how the trim is attached to the gown. Some designers use an adhesive that could dissolve during the dry cleaning process.

If the cleaner will pack your dress for storage, ask your cleaner to allow you to inspect your gown before it is packed in an acid-free box to help prevent contamination. This will prevent surprises when you open your sealed box years from now.

How to Store and Preserve a Wedding Dress

If you pack the dress and accessories for storage, ensure every piece is clean and completely dry before storing.

Choose the Right Storage Container

Wedding dresses should be stored flat in an appropriately sized container. Buy the largest size needed because the fewer folds in the dress, the less chance there will be fiber breakage from creases. Try not to hang your dress because garments stored this way can become misshapen and develop rips and tears from the stress on the seams.

For the material of the container, never use a regular cardboard box unless it is designated for archival storage. If you cannot find archival storage boxes or are concerned about the box getting crushed, purchase a plastic storage box.

The package must be made of cast polypropylene to be safe. Look for the #5 within the recycling triangle or the letters "PP" to ensure you have the correct box type. Other types of plastic can cause yellowing. Never store a wedding dress in a plastic bag furnished by a dry cleaner.

Add Archival Tissue Paper

You will also need to purchase archival tissue paper. It must be labeled as both acid and lignin-free. Lignin is a chemical compound derived from wood and will cause fabrics to turn yellow. You will need the tissue to soften folds, wrap individual pieces, and stuff sleeves and headpieces so they will not be crushed.

Box the Dress Properly

Before you start boxing, wash and dry your hands. No lotion or creams should be used that can stain the pieces. For best results, wear clean white cotton gloves. Begin lightly stuffing the dress shoulders, and bust with the acid-free tissue paper to help them hold their shape.

Lay the gown onto a layer of tissue within the box or container. Be sure that there is plenty of tissue cushioning each fold to prevent heavy creasing. The job will be easier if a helper holds the dress while you cushion each fold.

Store Accessories Correctly

Accessories like a belt or headband with metal buttons or faux jewels and decorations should be stored separately from the fabric items to prevent accidental damage from tarnishing. The same goes for leather goods such as shoes or handbags.

Repeat steps with each accessory, including the veil. Do not overstuff the storage box. You will want to store heavier items like belts and shoes in smaller individual boxes.

Choose a Safe Storage Location

Choose a dark, cool, dry space for storage. Avoid extreme temperature areas like attics, basements, and garages. Keep the gown away from artificial and natural sunlight to prevent fabric damage. The ideal spot is an interior space away from exterior walls and pipes that might burst and off the floor away from pets.

Inspect Annually

Inspect your wedding treasures at least once per year. Look for any stains that may appear and treat them promptly. Stain removal is more successful the sooner stains are removed. After inspecting, with clean hands, fold the items slightly differently and cushion them with the tissue to minimize creases and stress to the fabrics. 

What to Avoid When Cleaning a Wedding Dress

When cleaning your wedding dress, there are a few mistakes you'll want to make sure you avoid:

• Don't wait too long to clean: Waiting too long after your wedding day to clean your dress can result in lasting stains. Try to get your dress cleaned as soon as possible, ideally the day after your wedding.
• Don't use bleach to treat stains: This will discolor the dress.
• Don't hang the dress without using its loops: Neglecting to hang the dress properly could end up ruining the shape of the dress, something that is incredibly difficult to fix after it happens.
• Do not put your dress in the washing machine: It is too delicate and intricate to withstand. Wash silk and other materials of wedding dresses by hand instead.