Cleaning your wedding dress is an essential task after the big day, as it ensures the gown’s preservation for future use or keepsake.
Depending on the fabric, type of embellishments, and the nature of stains, there are several ways to clean a wedding dress. Below are the different methods, with detailed explanations of each.
Let’s get straight to the point
Cleaning your wedding dress is essential for preserving it. Common methods include dry cleaning (best for delicate fabrics like silk, using solvents like perc or alternatives), wet cleaning (eco-friendly and great for water-based stains), and using virgin solvents (for an odour-free, contaminant-free wash).
Alternatives like petroleum-based and hydrocarbon solvents are gentler on embellishments. Hand washing is a cost-effective option for durable fabrics, while steam cleaning helps with wrinkles but doesn’t remove stains.
The best method depends on the fabric, embellishments, and stain type, ensuring your gown stays beautiful for years.
1. Dry Cleaning
What Is Dry Cleaning?
Dry cleaning is one of the most common methods for cleaning wedding dresses. Contrary to what its name suggests, this method isn’t entirely “dry.” Instead of water, solvents are used to dissolve stains and dirt.
The most popular solvent is perchloroethylene (perc), though other options are available. Dry cleaning is typically recommended for dresses made from delicate materials such as silk or rayon.
How Does It Work?
The dry cleaner places the dress in a machine filled with solvent, which cleans without soaking the fabric in water. The process is particularly effective for oil-based stains, such as those from food or makeup.
Benefits Of Dry Cleaning
- Safe for delicate fabrics: Ideal for silk, rayon, and acetate dresses.
- Deep cleaning: Effectively removes oil and grease stains.
- No shrinkage: Prevents shrinking and damage to fragile fabrics.
Considerations
While dry cleaning is highly effective, it may not be suitable for wedding dresses with beads or sequins.
Perc, the most commonly used solvent, can melt or damage these embellishments. In such cases, it is essential to consult a specialist who uses alternative, safer solvents.
2. Wet Cleaning
What Is Wet Cleaning?
Wet cleaning uses water and specialised detergents to remove stains. This method is often considered more environmentally friendly compared to dry cleaning, as it doesn’t involve harsh chemicals.
Wet cleaning is especially effective for water-based stains, such as those from beverages or sweat.
How Does It Work?
A professional cleaner will inspect the dress for stains and choose the appropriate detergent.
The gown is then submerged in water and carefully cleaned by hand or machine, depending on the fabric. The process is controlled to prevent any damage or shrinkage.
Benefits Of Wet Cleaning
- Eco-friendly: No chemicals or toxic solvents.
- Great for water-based stains: Effectively removes stains from drinks, sweat, or food.
- Gentle on fabrics: Safe for most synthetic fabrics like polyester.
Considerations
Wet cleaning may not be suitable for all silk wedding dresses, as some silks can be damaged when exposed to water.
In addition, wet cleaning is less effective at removing oil-based stains, such as those caused by makeup or food grease.
3. Using Virgin Solvent
What Is A Virgin Solvent?
A virgin solvent is a solvent that has not been previously used. It’s a freshly distilled solvent that avoids contamination from prior cleanings.
Many dry cleaners use recycled solvents, which can contain impurities that could leave an odour or damage delicate wedding dress fabrics.
How Does It Work?
Professional cleaners who focus on bridal gowns often use virgin solvents to ensure a thorough and clean wash.
The dress is cleaned in the virgin solvent, which doesn’t contain the pollutants present in recycled solvents.
This method is recommended for highly delicate dresses or dresses with intricate detailing.
Benefits Of Virgin Solvent
- No contamination: Ensures the dress is cleaned without being exposed to pollutants from previous garments.
- No odour: The dress comes out smelling fresh, without the typical “dry clean smell.”
- Safe for delicate materials: Protects fabrics like silk and lace from damage.
Considerations
Not all dry cleaners use virgin solvent, so it’s important to choose a reputable cleaner who specialises in bridal gowns and uses this method.
4. Petroleum-Based Solvent
What Is A Petroleum-Based Solvent?
Petroleum-based solvents are an alternative to perchloroethylene and are commonly used to clean dresses that contain beads and sequins. These solvents are less aggressive than perc and are designed to be gentle on delicate embellishments.
How Does It Work?
The wedding dress is submerged in the petroleum-based solvent and cleaned in a dry-cleaning machine. This method is safer for delicate detailing like beads, sequins, or lace, reducing the risk of melting or loosening.
Benefits Of Petroleum-Based Solvent
- Safe for embellishments: Won’t damage beads, sequins, or lace.
- Less aggressive: Gentler on delicate fabrics compared to perc.
- Alternative to traditional dry cleaning: Useful where environmental laws limit the use of perc.
Considerations
Petroleum-based solvents are less effective at degreasing than perc, which means they may not remove oil-based stains as effectively.
5. Hydrocarbon Solvent
What Is Hydrocarbon Solvent?
Hydrocarbon solvent is a newer type of dry-cleaning solvent that is milder than both perc and petroleum-based solvents.
It is designed to be more environmentally friendly while still offering gentle cleaning for wedding dresses with embellishments.
How Does It Work?
Hydrocarbon solvents are used in a similar process to traditional dry cleaning, but the solvent is milder and safer for both the fabric and embellishments.
It is a good option for cleaning wedding dresses that have delicate details like beads or sequins.
Benefits Of Hydrocarbon Solvent
- Gentle on embellishments: Safe for intricate detailing.
- Eco-friendly: Lower environmental impact compared to traditional dry-cleaning solvents.
- Safe for most fabrics: Suitable for delicate materials.
Considerations
While hydrocarbon solvents are gentler, they are less effective at removing heavy stains, especially grease-based ones.
6. Hand Washing
What Is Hand Washing?
For some brides, hand washing the dress at home is an option. However, it’s only suitable for dresses made from certain durable fabrics, such as polyester or nylon.
Hand washing can be done with a mild detergent and cold water, focusing on spot cleaning any stains.
How Does It Work?
Fill a large basin with cold water and mild detergent, and gently scrub the fabric where stains are visible.
It’s important to avoid scrubbing too hard, especially on delicate areas like lace or beads. After washing, rinse thoroughly and air-dry the dress in a well-ventilated area.
Benefits Of Hand Washing
- Cost-effective: No need for professional services.
- Control over the process: You can target specific areas for cleaning.
- Safe for simple fabrics: Ideal for polyester and nylon dresses.
Considerations
Hand washing is not suitable for silk, satin, or dresses with heavy embellishments. It’s also easy to make mistakes that could result in permanent damage, so this method should be used with caution.
7. Steam Cleaning
What Is Steam Cleaning?
Steam cleaning is typically used to remove wrinkles from a wedding dress rather than cleaning deep stains. It’s a popular option for brides who want their gown to look pristine after transport or storage.
How Does It Work?
A professional steamer gently applies steam to the fabric, relaxing wrinkles and restoring the dress’s shape. This process doesn’t involve any solvents or detergents, making it safe for most fabrics, including silk and polyester.
Benefits Of Steam Cleaning
- Safe for delicate fabrics: Doesn’t damage silk, lace, or beading.
- Great for last-minute touch-ups: Ideal for refreshing the dress before an event.
- No chemicals: Uses only water vapour, making it eco-friendly.
Considerations
Steam cleaning isn’t effective at removing stains. It is best used in combination with another cleaning method, such as dry cleaning or wet cleaning.
Conclusion
Cleaning your wedding dress is essential to preserving its beauty and sentimental value.
Whether you opt for dry cleaning, wet cleaning, or hand washing, the method you choose should be tailored to the fabric, embellishments, and types of stains on your gown.
For delicate materials like silk or dresses adorned with intricate beading, professional cleaners using specialised solvents such as virgin or hydrocarbon are ideal.
Meanwhile, polyester and less delicate fabrics may allow for hand washing or even machine washing at home.
Always ensure you select a reputable cleaner who understands the intricacies of bridal gowns, or if you’re handling it yourself, proceed with care to avoid potential damage.
By choosing the right cleaning method, you can keep your wedding dress looking as stunning as it did on your special day, ensuring it’s a cherished keepsake for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Dry Cleaners Clean Wedding Dresses?
Dry cleaning- Using a chemical called tetrachloroethylene and a dry cleaning machine to remove stains and dirt instead of water.
Laundry cleaning- using hot water and normal detergents in a washing machine to remove stains and dirt. Hand washing- Using water and detergent at home in a basis and hand washing the gown.
Can You Dry Clean a Dirty Wedding Dress?
Some stains are not visible to the naked eye and will surface over time when it becomes too hard or even too late to get rid of them.
Standard dry-cleaning procedures are not delicate enough or efficient enough to clean a wedding dress, and that is why it’s imperative that a specialist dry cleaning company.
Do Dry Cleaners Steam Wedding Dresses?
Steaming is also a valuable process after the wedding is over. Take the dress back to your dry cleaning specialist so that they can now preserve it for posterity. First, they will inspect it for stains and remove them by hand. The dress will be dry cleaned and steamed.
Can You Wash Bridal Dress?
Washing wedding dresses at home requires attention to detail (and, ideally, a large wash bag), but it can be done if the fabric and any embellishments are safe to machine-wash or wash by hand.
Can I Wash My Wedding Dress Myself?
Washing wedding dresses at home requires attention to detail (and, ideally, a large wash bag), but it can be done if the fabric and any embellishments are safe to machine-wash or wash by hand.
