Cleaning a wedding dress: what to do in the weeks after the day

After the wedding, the dress usually goes back into its bag and onto the top of a wardrobe. That is understandable after such a busy day. But the weeks after a wedding are the best time to have a dress cleaned, and leaving it too long can make marks much harder to remove.

Why sooner is better

By the end of the day, most dresses have picked something up. The hem has been dragged across grass, gravel or a dance floor. There may be make-up around the neckline, a splash of wine or food on the skirt, and perspiration under the arms. Some of these marks are visible straight away. Others, such as sugary drinks or perspiration, can be almost invisible at first and turn yellow or brown over the following months.

The longer a mark sits in the fabric, the more firmly it sets. That is why we suggest bringing a wedding dress in within a few weeks of the day, rather than a year later.

What to do before you bring it in

• If the dress is damp, hang it up and let it air. Do not seal it in a plastic bag while it is still damp.
• Do not try to remove marks yourself with water, wipes or household stain removers. They can leave rings and spread the stain.
• Make a note of the marks you know about: what they are and where. Red wine on the skirt, foundation on the neckline, grass on the train.
• Bring any detachable parts with the dress, such as a belt, a sash, a bolero or a veil.

What we look at

Wedding dresses are made from many different fabrics, often several in the same dress: silk, satin, tulle, lace, chiffon and organza, with beading, sequins, embroidery and buttons on top. Each one reacts differently to cleaning. When you bring the dress to the counter, we look at the fabric, the trims and the marks, and we talk to you about what can be done before any work begins.

If the dress has a torn hem, a loose bead or a broken fastening from the day, tell us. Our repairs and alterations service may be able to put it right.

Storing the dress afterwards

Once it is clean, how you store the dress matters as much as the cleaning. A few simple rules help it last:

• Keep it somewhere cool, dark and dry. Lofts and garages are usually too hot in summer and too damp in winter.
• Avoid sealed plastic for long-term storage. Fabric needs to breathe.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can yellow white and ivory fabrics.
• Look at it once or twice a year, and if it is folded, refold it along different lines so the creases do not become permanent.

Not only wedding dresses

The same advice applies to bridesmaids' dresses, christening gowns and anything else worn on a special day. If it matters to you, it is worth having it cleaned properly.

You can bring a wedding dress to either of our shops, in Barnes or East Molesey.