Advice on Handwashing Wedding DressPlease

Lizbetty

I had mine cleaned to renew our vows in last year. It was a local shop and the lady said that bunging it in the washing machine on delicates is fine, that's all she would be doing (she was very busy hence the tip, I think she was hoping I'd do it myself!). It was only a few days before the renewal though and I daren't risk it, but I would try it if I ever need to wash it again.

Luce

valk_scot

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Do you have a shower? I would then take the wet dress and place it on a proper hanger - the very sturdy ones supplied with men's suits would be fine. Hang it on the shower rail and allow it to drip dry over the bath.

HTH

I would suggest that if it's a wooden hanger it should be covered first with a plastic bag, to avoid any possible marking.

Also if it's a very heavy dress then pad the shoulders of the hanger with a hand towel, to support the shoulder seams.

Barneysmom

I did mine in the machine on low temp, inside out.

rachbc

I did minw in the machine - it was silk so did it on delicates and it was ok - didn;t get that clean as I had left it 3 yeaars and it was filty from trapising through the city streets! but its fresh ienough to finally pack away!

katieowl_2

Even if the OP does opt for hand washing, I'm sure that a spin cycle in the washing machine (inside out and possibly in a white pillow case/duvet cover for extra safety) would be fine and help with the 'dry flat' and dripping everywhere problem.

Kate

FairyPrincessk

If the label says hand wash, it probably would be fine in a machine, on gentle with cold water. However, if it has a lot of embellishment that agitation may still be a bit much for it. If not, go for it.

If you do it by hand, the main thing is to make sure you get all of the soap out. My mum collects antique linens etc. and one of the main causes of spots/decay is soap or starch left on the material for years.

Vanish is one of her favourite tools as well-even with fairly delicate pieces that have lots of spots she will mix up a batch and let it soak for a few hours and this usually works wonders.

Rolling it in a white towel (or a couple) will help get out excess water as someone above mentioned. You could also hang it on a hanger and place this on the shower curtain rail and then let it trail in the bath. If it has hanger ribbons sewn to the interior seems definitely make use of these!

mrsrowley2012

I bought mine from a wedding shop but it was the store dress in the sale so has been tried on by people and hanging in my wardrobe for almost 2 years, I want to freshen it up for our big day in 6 months time, The cost of dryvleaning is almost the same as the cost of a high street wedding dress so I am seriously considering risking it !

mrsd

I washed mine in machine on delicate cycle inside a duvet cover. Used non bio liquid and lowest spin speed and it came up a treat. hung it on hanger and put on line outside to dry. The ironing after was a bigger pain!!

floss2

I washed my silk dress inside a double duvet cover, with a small amount of Fairy washing powder, on a cool wash...it was fine.

Alternatively, my local chain dry-cleaners had mentioned that as a military area, they get lots of dresses in that are "evening gowns", the cleaning of which happens to be half the price of wedding dresses...and a surprising number are ivory