Your wedding was the most perfect day of your life.
Unfortunately, you can tell by your dress just how much fun your big day was…the
wine spill from Uncle Mike’s toast, dirt from the walk to the church, frosting
from the cake your brand- new husband shoved in your face. Although you will
treasure these memories forever, you would prefer to remember your dress in its
original, pristine grandeur. If you want to keep your dress – and keep it in
good condition – you’ll have to get it cleaned and preserved, which will
help it to last until your Golden Anniversary.
"If a bride does not take the appropriate steps to properly
care for her dress, it’s almost like throwing the dress away," states
John Dame, owner of 24/7 Dry Cleaners in Parker. "After all, over time,
stains will set, the gown might yellow, and the fabric could be permanently
damaged."
Wedding gown preservation costs anywhere from $75 - $500,
depending on the level of service you require and the complexity of the dress.
Usually, a bride brings her dress to a professional dry cleaner that provides
this service. Then, a trained employee analyzes the fabric, beading, and other
details to determine how best to clean it.
"The cleaning process often begins with the hem because it
is usually the most soiled," states Mr. Dame. "Most professionals
should scrub the hem by hand and spot treat any stains. The biggest culprits are
grass, mud, perspiration and body oils, make-up, and food. Some of the most
difficult stains to remove are self-tanner residue, and White-Out, which some
brides use to cover up other stains that are already appearing before or during
the wedding."
After the dress is cleaned and either steamed or pressed, the
cleaner properly folds it and places it in an acid-free, archival chest with a
display window. Sometimes, accessories such as veils and garters are cleaned and
preserved as well. Depending on the cleaner you use, the wait time could be
anywhere from two to twelve weeks.
The intricacy of your dress dictates the painstaking measures
taken to clean and restore your dress back to the original magnificence it was
before your perfect day. Why not clean the dress and leave memory lane for the
photo album? ◊
For questions concerning wedding dress preservation, John Dame
can be reached at 24/7 Dry Cleaners
11153 S. Parker Rd. #B - Parker, CO 80134 - (720) 333-8369 - John.Dame@247DryCleaners.com
