Most brides spend months or even years searching for the perfect wedding dress. Once the big day is over, though, what happens to this treasured gown? While some brides choose to resell or donate the dress, many feel sentimental and want to hang onto it for years to come. Learn how Oaks Finer Cleaners can offer professional wedding dress cleaning.
What’s the best way to do this? A dress this significant, delicate, and, no doubt, expensive should never be thrown into basement storage or stashed in a plastic tote under the bed. Even if you think you’re taking great care to protect the dress, exposure to oxygen and humidity can yellow the fabric as the years go by. If you want your dress to remain in perfect condition for a lifetime, it’s best to seek out an expert who can provide professional wedding dress cleaning and preservation.
Professional wedding dress cleaning and professional wedding dress preservation are two separate processes. Cleaning is the first step, and it’s essential, no matter what you plan to do with your dress later. Seek out a specialist who knows how to deal with different types of wedding dress fabrics, such as satin, chiffon, charmeuse, tulle, or lace.
If you want to keep your dress after the cleaning, you’ll need to have it professionally preserved. This way, your dress will remain in flawless condition for years. You’ll be able to donate or resell it later, upcycle it into, say, fabric for a baby’s christening gown, or pass it down to a daughter, granddaughter, or other family members as a treasured heirloom.
A professionally preserved wedding dress will be stored in a nitrogen-filled box, but your gown’s not completely hidden away. The box will have a clear window so you can take a look at your dress whenever you want. Once you get the box home, you can take a few more steps to make sure it’s stored safely. Choose a cool, dark spot that’s relatively free from big fluctuations in humidity or temperature. Keep it out of your attic or basement, especially if you’ve ever had issues with water leaks or pest damage.
Top Wedding Dress Preservation Tips:
- A professional cleaning is essential. Even if you think your dress looks completely fine, invisible stains might be lurking. White wine stains, for example, might not appear for six months.
- Clean it ASAP. Many stains can set permanently if they’re not cleaned right away. If you’re pressed for time, find someone you trust to take your gown to be cleaned while you’re on your honeymoon.
- Don’t open your preservation box unless you’re really, truly sure you want to remove the dress. If you change your mind, you’ll have to get the dress re-preserved.
- Choose a professional who has experience cleaning and preserving wedding gowns, such as Oaks Fine Cleaners in Houston.
Oaks Fine Cleaners is a family-owned-and-operated business that’s been serving Houston, Texas for over 20 years. For dry-cleaning and laundry services in Houston, please visit our new location. We also offer free dry-cleaning pickup and delivery service at no additional cost!
