The professionals at Jans Cleaners in Clio, Michigan offer the following tips for taking care of stains and the cleaning process:
Before Your Ceremony
Consider what you wish to have happen with your gown after the wedding. Whatever your desires for the future, your investment in your gown and its professional care, cleaning and storage should be near the top of your list of things to do after the wedding.
Perhaps you wish to make it a keepsake, perhaps you hope to have your own daughter wear your gown on her wedding day, weve seen preserved gowns remade into gorgeous and cherished Christening gowns for children and grandchildren.
Ask the provider of your gown how the gown should be cleaned and if the trim should be cleaned the same way. Ask for cleaning instructions in writing if possible.
Your dress most likely will pick up invisible stains from food, beverages, make up and body oils (yours and those of all the huggers & kissers!). If these stains are not properly removed, they may become permanent.
Storing Your Gown
You can or we will remove extra padding, metal hooks and buttons which can rust and discolor over time. These notions can be stored in separate packaging along with your gown.
Protect your gown investment by storing it in acid-free paper and unbleached muslin protective wraps.
Store your gown, folded and packaged flat in a restorative quality box. This takes all the fabric stress typically caused by the dresss weight on a hanger.
Freshly cleaned and wrapped in protective covers, your gown should be stored in a safe, temperature controlled room. Under the bed in your guest room is one great place to store your cleaned and preserved gown. Extreme temperatures of attics and basements can cause great harm to your gown.