Wedding Gown Cleaning 101: Everything You Need to Know
If there's one thing you've got to do after your ceremony, it's a wedding dress cleaning.
Why? Well, think about it: the wine stains on your bustier, the faint oil stains on your wedding dress tail and the debris in your wedding veil. These are all things that will happen on your big day, and not to sound cliche, but you should always be ahead of the curve.
With that said, let's jump right into it. Here's all you need to know about wedding dress cleaning so you can make the best decision for you and your dress.
An all-you-need-to-know Guide on Wedding Dress Cleaning
What is wedding dress cleaning?
Wedding dress cleaning is the process by which a wedding dress specialist inspects, cleans and removes visible and invisible stains from your wedding dress to rejuvenate the wedding dress and bring back its lustre.
Why perform a wedding dress cleaning?
A wedding dress cleaning allows a wedding dress to shine like it did when you first saw it. In essence, it removes all stains that will definitely yellow over time. This shine is especially useful if you plan to sell your wedding dress shortly after its cleaning for reuse by other brides in the future.
Can I perform a wedding dress cleaning by myself?
You absolutely cannot perform a wedding dress cleaning by yourself. Wedding dress cleaners undergo rigorous, expert training on different fabrics, cleaning solutions and techniques before they are ready to clean their first wedding dress. One wrong move and you can potentially ruin your wedding dress for life. It's always best to use a professional.
How do I choose a wedding dress cleaning specialist?
First, ask for recommendations from friends, family and colleagues. Afterward, lower your options down to three choices. Then use the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists website to determine if they are certified. Contact each wedding dress specialist and ask if they have any additional qualifications.
What are the steps involved in wedding dress cleaning?
There are three main steps to the process of wedding dress cleaning. First, a wedding dress specialist will inspect the dress thoroughly. In doing so, they can analyze the fabric, the weaving, the texture, the age of the dress and its stains. Second, they will pre-treat the stains on each layer of the wedding dress to dissolve the stains that are naked to the eye. Finally, the wedding dress specialist will bathe the wedding dress in an eco-friendly solution to wash it clean of all lingering dirt and debris and to restore its brilliance.
Do all wedding dress specialists perform wedding dress cleaning
themselves?
No. Many dry cleaners will contract and mail your wedding dress to a certified cleaner to do it for them. This method is inadvisable as you want your dress touching as few hands as possible. More importantly, mailing your dress to an unknown location and an unidentified recipient can spell danger for the future of your dress.
On average, how much does a wedding dress cleaning cost?
No two wedding dresses are the same. Each is of a different style, fabric and texture. Individually, they fit differently as well as possess different stains and in varying quantities. With that said, a wedding dress specialist cannot accurately provide an estimate without asking you some basic questions about the wedding dress and then examining it in great detail.
When should I ask for a wedding dress cleaning?
You should get a wedding dress cleaning as soon as possible after your ceremony. Many brides try to until wait after the honeymoon. This practice is inadvisable as it will allow stains to set in, making them harder to remove. If you are unable to deliver your wedding dress yourself after your wedding, we ask that you decide on a wedding dress specialist before your big day and then ask a trusted confidante to deliver it to the specialist for you.