One of the most important days in a woman’s life is commemorated by the outfit she wore on that day. It represents a new beginning and a promise to love and commit to one another. If you want your wedding dress to look as good as the day you wore it, proper storage is essential. But if a wedding gown isn’t preserved, what happens to it?
In this article, we’ll discuss how not preserving your wedding gown can affect the longevity of a treasured memory. We’ll go over the various dangers, from yellowing to permanent damage, and what you can do to avoid them. So, let’s delve in and find out what makes wedding dress care so crucial.
What Happens If You Don’t Preserve A Wedding Dress?
Several things can happen to your wedding dress if you don’t take steps to protect it. Some of the most frequent results of the things to do with old wedding dresses include the following:
Yellowing
If a wedding gown is not properly preserved, it might yellow over time. A gradual yellowing of the cloth results from prolonged exposure to light, heat, and humidity. Dresses created from natural fibres like silk or cotton are more vulnerable to fading than those made from synthetic materials.
Not cleaning the dress before putting it away can speed up the yellowing process. Fabrics might get permanently discoloured if dirt and stains aren’t removed immediately.
Your wedding gown should be kept in a cool, dry, dark area like a closet or storage box to avoid fading. Sunlight can hasten the fading and discolouration of the fabric, so keeping it out of the sun is a good idea. Wrapping your dress in acid-free tissue paper is also a good idea because conventional tissue paper can cause the fabric to yellow over time.
Some measures can be taken to salvage a wedding gown that has already begun to yellow. To restore the dress to its former glory, it is best to have it cleaned and preserved by a professional. However, you should take action before the yellowing becomes too extreme to fix.
Stains
Another common result of not keeping a wedding dress is the appearance of stains. The stains on your dress may grow more noticeable with time, even if you thought you got rid of them all before putting them away.
Food, makeup, and dirt are just some of the things that can stain wedding dresses. They can cause permanent damage to the dress if left neglected, as they will set into the fabric and become more difficult to remove.
Your wedding dress should be cleaned as soon as possible after the ceremony before stains have a chance to set in. You can either have it cleaned by a professional dry cleaner or use the manufacturer-recommended gentle cleaning solution. Bleach and other harsh chemicals can discolour and harm the fabric, thus they should be avoided at all costs.
Dresses should be stored in a dry, dark area after being cleaned, to prevent further damage. Using acid-free tissue paper can help stop stains and keep the fabric from fading.
After storing your wedding dress for a time, you may find that it contains stains that need to be removed immediately. You can try taking the dress to a dry cleaner for a thorough treatment, or you can spot-clean the damaged areas with a mild cleaning solution. Stains are less likely to permanently damage your dress if you attend to them as soon as possible after they occur.
Mould And Mildew
Not keeping a wedding dress correctly can also lead to mould and mildew. Mould and mildew are fungi that multiply rapidly in moist, warm places. Mould and mildew can cause serious damage to your clothing if you keep it in a damp, humid place.
Dresses that have been exposed to mould and mildew can lose their colour, take on a musty odour, and become weakened. People with mould sensitivities or respiratory conditions may also be negatively affected. Without prompt attention, mould and mildew can spread and ruin your bridal gown.
Dresses should be kept in a cool, dry environment with enough airflow to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. Don’t put it away in damp or humid places like the basement or attic. Mould and mildew can be avoided and the environment kept dry with the aid of a dehumidifier or moisture absorber.
There is no time to waste if you think mould or mildew has developed on your wedding garment. A gentle brush or cloth can be used to remove any mould or mildew that has become visible. To avoid getting sick from breathing in mould spores, it’s best to use protective gear like gloves and a mask.
If the mould or mildew growth on your dress is considerable, it is recommended that you take it to a dry cleaner who specialises in treating such problems. Mould and mildew can be safely removed from your dress with their help thanks to specialised cleaning products and processes.
Fabric Deterioration
Not properly keeping a wedding dress can also cause the fabric to deteriorate. This happens when the fabric deteriorates over time as a result of being exposed to elements including sunlight, heat, humidity, and pollution.
Natural fibre materials, such as silk and cotton, are more fragile and wear out more quickly than synthetic fabrics due to their composition. The fabric could dry out, split, or even fall apart after some time has passed.
Your wedding dress should be kept out of the sun, heat, and humidity by being stored in a cool, dry, dark spot. Plastic bags can retain moisture and speed up the fabric’s deterioration, so it’s best to avoid using them. Instead of plastic, use acid-free tissue paper or a garment bag made of natural fibres to keep the dress safe.
You should also be gentle with your clothing when putting it away or carrying it somewhere. Don’t strain or rip the fabric by pulling or tugging on it. If you must move the dress, do not lift it by the hanger or straps; instead, prop it up from the base.
Yellowing, staining, or tears in the fabric of your wedding dress are all reasons to get it professionally examined. If you want to save your wedding dress from further wear and tear, you should get it preserved by a professional. Dresses are often cleaned with specialised methods, repaired if necessary, and then stored securely in containers that prevent future damage.
Insect Damage
Not keeping a wedding dress might also lead to damage from insects. If your wedding dress is stored in a warm and humid place, insects like moths and beetles may be drawn to the organic fibres in the fabric and cause harm to the garment.
Damage from insects can appear in a variety of forms, from tiny holes to discoloured patches to actual insect remains or droppings. It may be necessary to hire a cleaning or repair service to get rid of or fix these.
The best way to protect your wedding dress from insects is to keep it in a clean, dry, and cool environment. Keep mothballs or cedar chips away from the dress so they don’t taint or damage it while keeping the bugs at bay. You should also check your clothing frequently for bug activity and take fast action if you find any.
A professional cleaner or wedding dress preservationist should be consulted if you fear insect damage to your wedding dress. They’ll examine the damage and give you advice on how to fix the garment. A preservation expert can help stop any additional harm to the dress and preserve it for future generations, even if the damage is irreparable.
Conclusion
If you want your wedding dress to look beautiful for years to come, proper preservation is essential. Yellowing, stains, mould and mildew, fabric deterioration, and insect damage are just some of the problems that can arise from not taking proper care of your clothing. Keeping your garment out of the elements (especially heat, humidity, and direct sunshine) will keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible.
Avoid damaging the fabric by storing the dress in plastic bags or using metal hangers. A wedding dress preservationist can evaluate any symptoms of damage or degradation and advise you on the best course of action to restore your dress to its former glory. Following these guidelines will help guarantee that your wedding gown will be kept as a treasured heirloom for generations to come.