Your wedding is one of the most special occasions in your life. It’s a celebration of finding “the one” to spend your life with.
The wedding dress plays a big part in this memorable event. So much so that many brides repurpose their wedding dresses into something else. Some repurpose it as a cocktail dress. But countless others choose to preserve it. After all, it represents one of the happiest days of their lives.
A clean wedding dress is key to ensuring it lasts forever. You can opt to have yours cleaned by a professional. Some fabrics require professional dry cleaning especially if your dress is made of silk and other delicate materials. But you can also do the job yourself at home. Here’s how to clean a wedding dress in a few easy steps.
Start at the Hem
Many wedding gowns have full-layered skirts. Imagine the dust and dirt that could cling to it after hours of mingling and dancing. The first thing you need to do is soak the hem in soapy water for a few hours. You can hang your dress over a bathtub or sink. Let the hem soak. Use a toothbrush and detergent to clean the hem. You don’t have to rinse it.
Give the train, veils, and other accessories the same treatment.
Focus on the Bodice
Work on the bodice after the hem. If possible, turn it inside out. Spray the inner part of the bodice with a water and detergent mix. Do a gentle scrub. You can use an old toothbrush for this. You should also spot-clean any stains on the outer part of the bodice.
Move to the Bigger Stains
Now that you’re finished with the bodice and hem, it’s time to handle the larger stains. Some stains can become removed with soapy water and a clean cloth. Don’t be afraid to use some heavy-duty stain cleaners. Soak the stained area first. Give the solution time to work its magic before you wipe it off. Use a gentle rubbing motion to remove the dirt or stain.
Baby powder is better on oil-based stains. The powder will soak up the oils. It will make removing them from the fabric easier.
Rinse the Whole Dress
You can rinse your wedding dress once all the dirt and stains are now taken care of. The bathtub is a good place to do this. Give the tub a thorough cleaning first. Then fill it with water that’s at room temperature.
Put the dress in the water. Make sure it’s submerged. Use slow and gentle movements to swish it back and forth. This is to ensure sequins, crystals, and other delicate parts don’t come loose. It might take you about three rinses before the dress is free of soap.
Let It Dry
It’s best to air-dry your wedding gown. Most of these dresses have a lot of fabric. This is true whether they’re plus size dresses or smaller frames. Your wedding dress will be too heavy for a regular hanger. You can drape it over the curtain rod first. Put it on a hanger once enough water has drained. Then you can let it dry at a normal pace.
Work Out the Wrinkles
You should iron your wedding dress before storing it. A traditional iron might be out though. It’s best if you use a self-steamer instead. It will get all the wrinkles out. Check that the wedding accessories are also clean and wrinkle-free.
Your wedding dress is a great memento. Make sure it’s clean before you put it in storage. This will help preserve its beauty. It will also keep those happy memories vibrant and alive.
