My wedding dress is made of satin with some lace overlay. I want to give it to my daughter, but it is too small for her to wear. I would like to clean it and use the fabric to make a quilt for her. I need help on how to properly clean the dress.
Use vinegar to clean the dress. I had under arm stains on mine, the vinegar works just put it in the sun. After you apply the vinegar, it may take a few days. Re apply every day till spots ago away, good luck.
Hi: I love Mynaurotic's ideas. I have some to add.
If you are good with a needle and thread, you can recycle some of the fabric for the above ideas. Others would be to cover the wedding album, guest book, or make a photo frame using some of the fabric and lace.
But, if you have not begun to disassemble to dress, take some detailed photos of it, both close up and far off, like the entire dress in one shot. Then, keep enough of the lace, satin, etc., to create a miniature version, making her a doll size dress. I have done this once, but did not get any photos. However, this is an amazing idea that you can do with a standard 11" doll, some manipulating of the hair and skin, etc. Once it is made, and you use the dress pieces for other things, you will have an heirloom to pass down for generations to come.
If you don't sew detail work much, find someone who can and either pay or trade something with them. You won't be sorry. Check out this ladies website and even visit her if you need some advice. I just found her by googleing "miniature wedding dresses". http://www.davinadawnsewing.com/miniweddingpast.htm
My Mom and Grandmother worked in the alterations department of a major department store in New Orleans back in the late 1940's through the 1960's. They put the wedding dresses in the sun to bleach the yellow out. Worked wonders for all the society ladies weddings.
Hi Deborah, My feedback isn't about cleaning your dress, but here are some other ideas. A part of your dress could be made into a veil or head garment and or a pair of fancy lacy gloves. I love this idea because your daughter could wear long fancy gloves for her wedding photos and the mother and grandmother and any sisters could wear short fancy gloves, all made from part of your dress. Also a ring bearer's pillow, small hankies to be carried by the bride and yourself. I like your idea of a quilt also and pieces of your dress could still be used.
This pages has been archived 3 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Request: Cleaning a Wedding Dress (10/21/2009)
How can I remove patches of iron mould marks from a 1930s wedding dress made of very fine satin backed crepe?
Request: Cleaning a Wedding Dress (07/29/2009)
I recently bought a wedding dress. The bodice is lace with pearl beads. It is really dirty, like a shopping cart was rolled over it several times.
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Request: Cleaning a Wedding Dress
Archived on 10/21/2009
How can I remove patches of iron mould marks from a 1930s wedding dress made of very fine satin backed crepe?
I just cleaned my wedding dress and train. My daughter wants to wear the dress in the future. I used Oxiclean. I just mixed 6 cups of Oxiclean in a large plastic tub. I let the dress and train soak for several hours. No stains, came out like new. The dress and train are 35 years old. There were large brown streaks where the dress and train had been folded in a box for 35 years. When the dress and train dried, looked just like new. (08/03/2009)
I recently bought a wedding dress. The bodice is lace with pearl beads. It is really dirty, like a shopping cart was rolled over it several times. The skirt is unadorned, but has some dirt marks on it also. How do I clean the beads, lace arms, and bodice without destroying the dress. It says polyester, dry clean only. Any thoughts?
Jennifer from Boston, MA
Feedback:
RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress
If you will look at the page showing your request you will see (in green letters) the phrase "related links". Click on the one that says "cleaning a wedding dress at home". You can read my earlier response and find out how I did it. Good Luck. (01/15/2009)
OK, so I subscribe to the "cure 'em or kill 'em" theory of laundry. So take this with a grain of salt. However, I read the post about OxyClean, which sounds very good. If you were to decide that you needed to put the dress in a washer, I would turn it inside out (to protect the beading), then put it in a large mesh laundry bag (to prevent it from getting twisted or otherwise distorted. Then I would presoak it, then put it in a front loading machine that has no agitator. I have washed beaded sweaters, etc. like this with no ill effects. Theoretically, if it's 100 percent polyester, it should be fine. I would avoid the dryer at all costs, though.
Good luck. (01/17/2009)
I swear by OxyClean for delicates. I usually boil a tea kettle of water, pour that over the scoop of OxyClean in a bucket, swish to dissolve, add some more hot tap water, and then the item I wish to clean. I would probably pretreat the really dirty spots with Shout or something first. I'd let it soak overnight then squeeze gently and put it in a large laundry bag and wash on delicate. I agree with Gina. If it doesn't get clean enough to wear what good is it. I wash very delicate lace that my grandmother made 80 years ago this way and it turns out nice. (01/17/2009)
If the dress is 100% polyester you can wash it with Woolite or any gentle cleaner. I just washed my beaded wedding dress by filling the washer halfway with warm water and adding the Woolite. Then I hand scrubbed the really dirty areas around the skirt by putting a little bit of Woolite and gently rubbing the fabric together until the dirt was almost gone.
I agitated the material around myself and did not turn on the machine because it would be too harsh on the fabric. When it was clean, I switched the machine on and let the water drain out. I rinsed it twice by filling the machine again, hand agitating, and draining. I put the dress on a drying rack because if you hang it, the weight of the water will stretch out the fabric and make the dress misshapen. Mine is clean and beautiful. Best of luck to you. (01/17/2009)
By Jazzylazzy
RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress
I have used a cleaning product on yellowing lace on my 25 + year old wedding gown as well as an heirloom christening gown. It will clean dirty items and brightens without chlorine bleach, it's called Sharon's Solution. It's the best stuff I've ever used. It cleans everything but gently, even antique lace.
Good luck. www.sharons solution.com (01/18/2009)
I pulled my wedding dress out of the closet and it has a smokey color all over it. I need to get it cleaned up but can't afford dry cleaning. Our 25 year anniversary is coming up and I would like my dress to look almost new. Any information would be helpful.
Thank you, Pat
Answers:
RE: Cleaning My Wedding Dress
Unfortunately, some fabrics change color over time. Storing clothing in plastic bags for many years speeds up oxidation or color change. Clothing should be stored in something breathable like a plain white sheet if it is not preserved in an acid free box with acid free paper. Congratulations to you and your husband for 25 years of marriage! Dry cleaning may or may not change the color of your bridal gown. Your gown from 25 years ago has added character (color change) and is no less beautiful today. Wear it with pride and joy that you made it to 25 years of marriage and it still fits! (02/26/2005)
