How to Take Care of Your Wedding Dress and Other Party Dresses

You may only wear your wedding dress and other party dresses once, but after the big day is over, you’ll still want to continue enjoying them for years to come. Taking care of your dress will help it last longer and preserve its original condition so that you can look back on it with fond memories in the future. 

To help you do this, we have compiled some helpful tips on how to take care of your wedding dress and other party dresses. Whether you’re planning on keeping your dress forever or just until it no longer fits, these tips will help keep it looking as good as new for a long time to come.

Air dry your dress after wearing it.

You can’t just throw your dress in the dryer after wearing it. Doing so will ruin the fabric, shrink it, and fade the color. Instead, you’ll want to air dry your dress after wearing it for the best results. If you live in a very humid climate, you may want to dry your dress in a room with a fan on to speed up the process. Be sure to lay your dress out flat so that it doesn’t get wrinkled or misshapen during the drying process. 

If you’re worried about stains, you can use a mild laundry detergent to spot treat them before drying. Just make sure that it’s a color safe detergent so that it doesn’t stain your dress. And if the stain still won’t come out, you may want to consider treating it with a stain remover before drying.

Store your dress in a garment bag.

Most wedding dresses are made from delicate fabrics, laces, beads, and sequins that can easily get ruined if not stored properly. For example, sequins can come loose and beads can fall off if you don’t store your dress properly. To help prevent this from happening, you can store your dress in a garment bag. Garment bags are special bags that you can use to store your dress. 

They’re designed to protect your dress from dust, sunlight, and other environmental factors that can damage it. You can find garment bags at most fabric or party stores. If you can’t find one that meets your needs, you can always make your own. Just make sure to use a clean, breathable fabric like muslin or cotton.

Handle carefully when you’re storing and moving.

When you’re storing your dress, make sure to handle it carefully at all times. If you’re moving your dress, take extra care to make sure that it doesn’t get damaged. Avoid dragging your dress along the ground and make sure to put it in a garment bag before transporting it. You may also want to put it on a hanger if possible. You may also want to tuck it into a special box if you plan on storing it for a long time. 

One thing to keep in mind when storing your dress is that the environment it’s in will affect its longevity. For example, if you live in a humid climate, you may want to consider storing your dress in a dry environment to prevent mildew from developing. If you live in a dry climate, you may want to store your dress in an area that has higher humidity to prevent it from becoming brittle.

Clean your dress before storage.

Before storing your dress, you’ll want to clean it to prevent mildew from forming. Mildew is a common problem in closets that’s caused by excess moisture, so it’s important to dry your dress well before putting it away. To clean your dress, you can use a mixture of water, vinegar, and a bit of baking soda. You can also use a mild laundry detergent that’s color safe if you have stains that need to be removed. 

Once your dress is dry, you can put it on a hanger and wrap it in a clean fabric or a clean pillowcase to protect it while it’s in storage. You can also put your dress in a garment bag if you have one. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to put your dress in a box with a dehumidifier to help prevent mildew from forming.

Hang the Wedding Dress on a Padded Hanger

First, we’ll start with the most basic of tips: hanging your dress on a padded hanger. This helps to prevent any creases or wrinkles that may appear if you fold it and store it vertically. Additionally, it also prevents any damage to the dress’s delicate material. The wedding dress and other party dresses are often delicate and prone to tearing, so hanging them up is always a good idea. This will also help to keep it away from any dust or other dirt that may be on the floor and prevent it from getting ruined. 

You can also use a special wedding dress garment bag for added protection, though some prefer to use a hanger as it allows for a better long-term storage solution. Another good tip is to store your dress in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as this will help to prevent it from fading over time. If you have a closet that is relatively dark, you can hang your dress there to keep it out of harm’s way.

Keep Your Dress Away from Windows

As we just noted, you will want to avoid storing your dress near windows. Sunlight can be very harmful to fabrics, and even if your wedding dress has been treated with anti-fading chemicals, it will still fade over time. If you have no other choice but to store your dress near a window, you can help to keep it safe by covering the windows with dark fabric or a large piece of furniture. 

You could also cover the dress with a protective cover, but make sure it’s something that will not damage the fabric over time. Another option is to hang your dress in a closet that does not have a window.

Keep it in Isolation

If you plan on keeping your dress for a long period of time, you may want to consider keeping it in isolation. This means keeping it away from other fabrics that may cause damage to your dress over time. A good way to do this is to put your dress in a large, sealed bag that is filled with air, such as a vacuum bag. You can also use an airtight container for this purpose, but make sure that it is large enough to fit your dress. 

Keeping your dress in an isolated container will help to prevent it from getting ruined over time. It will also help you to keep it clean and free of any dirt or dust that may have made its way inside. This is a good idea if you plan on keeping your dress for a long time, like until your grandchildren get married.

Keep Your Wedding Dress Away from Kids and Pets

Kids and pets can be very curious and can get their hands on anything if you’re not careful. Make sure that you keep your wedding dress out of reach of any children who may think it’s a toy and try to play with it. Pets can also be curious and may try to chew on your dress. If you keep your wedding dress in an area where your kids or pets have access to it, be sure to watch them carefully to make sure they don’t do any damage to it. 

You could also keep your dress in a location where only adults have access to it, such as a closet or room. If kids or pets do get their hands on your dress, wash it immediately to prevent any stains or damage from setting in.

Get it Professionally Pressed, if Necessary

If you’ve kept your dress in good condition and stored it properly, you may not need to have it professionally pressed. However, if you’ve noticed any wrinkles or creases in your dress or if it is stained, then you may want to consider getting it professionally pressed. If you’re unsure where to go, you can ask your bridal shop if they offer an extra pressing service for their customers. 

Alternatively, you can look for dry cleaners in your area that offer an alteration or pressing service. Keep in mind, though, that pressing a dress like this will not get rid of any stains that are set in. To remove them, you will likely need to take it to a dry cleaner and have it professionally cleaned.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Finally, make sure to avoid storing your dress in extremely hot or cold areas. This can damage the fabric over time and will not only affect your dress but also any other items that you store in the same area. To keep your dress safe, store it in a cool, dry place where the temperature will remain consistent and won’t change over time.

If you have any questions about how to take care of your wedding dress and other party dresses, contact a wedding and bridal designer near you. They are often able to give helpful advice based on their years of experience.

Conclusion

Your wedding dress and other party dresses are special pieces that deserve to be treated with care. You can extend their lifespan and keep them looking good as new by following these tips. Before wearing your dress, make sure you air dry it to prevent wrinkles and fading. 

You should also store your dress in a garment bag to protect it from dust and sunlight. And when cleaning your dress, don’t forget to clean the underskirt as well. Taking care of these delicate garments will help you get the most out of them. So when the big day comes, be sure to treat your special dress with care so that it lasts for years to come.