1. Dry clean it
Once you’ve wriggled out of that stunning gown and placed it back into its slip cover, book it in at the dry cleaners. Make sure to choose your provider judiciously, asking others for recommendations and checking the cost. And, when you book it in, make sure you highlight those delicate spots!
2. Make sure stains have been removed
One of the most important questions to ask your dry cleaners is: can they get any stains out safely? It’s unlikely the dress has absolutely no marks on it – check it thoroughly before taking it to be cleaned, so you can give it a once over when it comes back to you.
3. Store it in a dark place
Your bridal dress has had its day in the sunshine, and it may be slightly heart-breaking to put it away somewhere dark and out of sight. But, if you care for the longevity of the gown, you might want to find a spot away from natural or artificial light, since it tends to cause the fabric to yellow. Now, how do we make space in our wardrobes?
4. Use a dehumidifier
Humidity is a constant on these isles of ours, so one of the biggest threats to your pristine gown is those small spots of mould which seem to appear out of nowhere, everywhere! Make sure you use a dehumidifier regularly, placing it in the room which hosts your dress to prevent any damage.
5. Use acid-free paper
If you’re storing your dress in a box, cover it up using acid-free paper (and, actually, try to store it in an acid-free box as well). Reducing the amount of chemicals near – or touching – your gown will reduce the risk of marks or discolouration. It may be white, but you don’t want it to become patchy!
6. Keep it in its cover
Should you have decided not to box it up, use the original cover when storing it in your wardrobe. Let the fabric of the skirt hang so it doesn’t get creased or scrunched up. But, before that, make sure the cover has also been cleaned so no dirt gets transferred.
7. Check it regularly
And, the most important thing of all is to check it regularly. Every 6 months – if you’re going to keep your dress, that is – take it out of its cover or box and check it carefully for any yellow patches, mould or nicks. Giving it a regular check means you can catch problems before they become worse!