Don’t just hang your gown in the closet where it will be vulnerable to dust, bacteria, moisture, light, moths, and other culprits, and can be misshapen by the hanger and by its own weight. To keep the gown looking as beautiful as possible over the years, you should have it treated professionally. Though there is no way to completely guarantee that a garment won’t yellow over a long period of time, having your gown professionally prepared for storage gives it the best possible chance of remaining lovely.
Send your gown to a cleaning service as soon as you can after the wedding. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to remove particular stains (such as red wine and grass) or treat certain materials. Many reputable dry cleaners offer a wedding-gown preservation service as well, as do some bridal salons and formalwear companies. There are also some door-to-door cleaning and preservation services that provide nationwide shipping, preliminary inspection, cleaning and repairs, and return of the dress in a special long-term storage box
Ask friends or your bridal salon consultant for recommendations. When you walk into a cleaner’s, ask yourself: Is this establishment pristine? Is it a place I want to leave my gown? Are there many other wedding gowns around? Does the staff look professional? Ask about problems that might occur during cleaning (a particularly fragile fabric, for instance, or a nasty stain) and whether minor repairs can be done, if necessary.
The cleaner should use a cleaning and preservation process especially for garments with intricate beading, delicate lace, etc. Your gown should be treated separately from other items and, in many cases, by hand, layer by layer. Soiled areas (around the hem and train, for example) are spot-cleaned first, then the gown is cleaned using the method best suited to its materials and construction.
Once cleaned, the gown is wrapped in tissue paper to minimize creasing and to puff up and shape the sleeves and bodice. The tissues and the box itself should be acid-free. Cardboard should not be used, even as a form for keeping the bodice shape. The gown is then carefully folded and packed in a box, often with a clear plastic window through which the dress (usually the bodice) is displayed. Check to make sure that the box contains your dress before you leave the store. Technically, a gown preservation box can’t be made airtight. No attempt should be made to do so since the process would trap moisture and the by-products of decay.
Once your boxed garment is home, the best place for it is under a bed or in a dry closet—a cool, well-ventilated area that is pest-free and safe from the damaging effects of light, heat and humidity. Do not place the box in a plastic bag, which can trap moisture and lead to mold and mildew. For added protection, place the box in an unbleached cotton muslin bag, which will act as a filter to trap dirt and dust.
True preservationists recommend refolding the gown every couple of years to avoid permanent fold lines. When handling your gown, remember to use white cotton inspection gloves, included in some preservation packages.
An alternative to having your gown professionally preserved and boxed is simply to follow the old-fashioned method of storing precious textiles by carefully folding them in a clean cotton sheet. However, the practicality of having a neat box that can be easily stored often outweighs this option.
When shopping for a preservation service, ask lots of questions. Choose the professional who is knowledgeable, doesn’t offer guarantees that can’t be kept, and uses museum-quality materials. Prices may vary greatly between companies, but the old saying that you get what you pay for certainly applies here.
See More: Gowns , Traditions