Cleaning & Preservation

Cleaning

The best way to clean a prom dress or homecoming dress thoroughly before storing it is to hand it over to a high quality professional cleaner who specializes in wedding dresses and evening dresses. However, if the dress is still very clean, with only a few small stains, people can treat or locally clean the dress at home.

1.Determine what fabric the garment is made of. If it's silk, lace or a vintage dress, it's best to have it professionally cleaned.

2.Check the dress thoroughly for any stains, including those from sweat, food, liquids and makeup. If the dress is full-length, the hem is likely to have accumulated dirt.

3.After applying an appropriate cleaning solution as described in the next step, use a white, dry, absorbent cloth to gentle bolt the satin. Before applying any liquid or detergent to the stain, test the less conspicuous part of the fabric to avoid discoloration.

4.Treat wine, sweat and blood stains with hydrogen. However, hydrogen peroxide can bleach the fabric, so if the garment is any colour other than white, don't let it sit on the fabric for too long. For ink stains, please spray a small amount of hair spray. For oily stains like cosmetics or food, use a dry cleaning solvent or a mixture of soap and water.

5.After soaking up as much of the stain as possible, add a few drops of white vinegar and blot again. Next, rinse the fabric area with water, blot it again, and let the area dry.

6.To clean dirty hems, soak them for a few hours in warm water mixed with detergent, taking care to keep the rest of the dress out of the water. Using a toothbrush, gently wipe the hem with foam water to remove any dirt. Rinse thoroughly with water.

7.Don't hang dress on hanger to dry after they've been washed. Wet fabrics are heavy and skirts can stretch or tear. Instead, place your clothes on a clean clothes rack. Shelves should be coated with plastic or vinyl because debris from wood can tear dress or rust from metal can stain them.

Preservation

If you preserve your clothes as carefully as you choose them, they can be passed down for generations as heirlooms.

1.Save the packaging your clothes came in, or bring a plastic bag to protect them from the cleaners.

2.Ask your cleaner for a special acid-free box to store your dress in and wrap them in acid-free tissue paper. You can also sew a band shorter than the corset around the waist and hang the skirt next to the corset. Place it on a padded hanger and wrap it in clean white cotton.

3.Store the dress in a temperate, dry place, out of direct sunlight.

4.Check your dress on each anniversary, check for any discoloration areas or missing stains, and let your clothes "breathe."