The day you marry your best friend is one of the most important days of your life. It is a new beginning. These are the moments that you like to remember forever. You hire a professional photographer to capture the day. You frame your favorite photos and hang them above the fireplace so that you can always look and remember the excitement that you expressed about your future. You remember what it felt like to be wearing that gown.
Unfortunately, unlike photos, it is not an easy task to keep your most valued possession safe from the dangers of nature and time. Many married women have experienced the distress in uncovering their gown to only see the gown turn yellow or damaged by the elements such as water, heat and insects. We understand those concerns and would like to offer you several tips in protecting your gown.
First, it is important to give your gown quick attention. The longer it takes for your gown to be cleaned, the greater the chance that a stain will set in the material. Over a course of time, sugar stains will begin to carmelize. The best way to describe this is to think of an apple. Once the apple is peeled, it doesn’t take long for the apple to turn brown. This is the carmelization of the natural sugars in the apple. From the beginning toast to the wedding cake, your gown is exposed to sugars. Quick treatment is necessary to prevent these stains from turning yellow on your gown.
If you experience a stain on your dress, here are a few useful tips. However, with these tips you must practice caution as to not damage your gown.
- Most beverage stains- Improper cleaning will permanently set the stains into your gown. Use white vinegar (2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar) in a spray bottle. Hard brushes and too much scrubbinh can cause damage to the material.
- Chocalate– Soak the affected area in cold water. This helps lift the proteins in the chocalate and loosens the stains. Use dish washing detergent only and not a bar of soap to lightly scrub the area. Your do not have to rub to get the stain off. This just applies to pre-treatment. Let your dry cleaner know that you did this.
- Candle Wax– Put your gown in the freezer if it will fit. After a few hours remove the gown. Use a spoon, not a knife, to break apart the brittle wax. Do not use any sharp edge objects. Using a sharp edge object will cause the threads of the garment to be pulled away. Place a clean towel on your gown and lay an iron on the towel for approximately 20 seconds. This will draw the wax into the towel.
After you pre-treated your gown, send it to a qualified dry cleaner such as Model Cleaners to clean your gown. If all of this is done in a timely fashion, you will be satisfied with the appearance of your gown.
It is suggested that you take the extra step in protecting your gown from the elements. Even though it is not inexpensive, preservation of your wedding gown is the best way to ensure your gown will look the same for years to come. Your memories will remain. New memories you will create when you show your gown to your daughter before her dream day.