Cleaning a Wedding Dress

How do I clean a do not wash/do not dry clean dress? I am getting married in June and purchased my dress from a thrift store. It isn't terribly dirty or anything; I could wear it as is, but I'd like to clean it to make sure that it looks its best. The label says "do not wash, do not dry clean professionally, spot clean only."

Any ideas for how I can clean my dress? I attached the stock photo of it.

Thanks so much!

By Stephanie from Anchorage, AK

Best Answers: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

These are the best answers for this question.

Baking Soda and Toothbrush

By 01/08/2011

Use baking soda, with a clean tooth brush. This will absorb the stains and dirt spots, then wipe with dry fluffy towel The gown is beautiful, just beautiful!

Clorox Bleach Free Disinfectant Wipes

By 01/04/2011

After my daughter's bridal portraits were made, we noticed a few blemishes on her gown; including grass stains. We took the gown to the bridal shop that it was purchased from for suggestions and the owner pulled out a container of Clorox "Bleach free" disinfectant wipes and proceeded to clean every blemish; even the grass stains. She stated it could even be used on colors. I never would have believed it if I had not witnessed it firsthand. Needless to say, I now keep these wipes in my home and office just for this purpose. If you are skeptic and I wouldn't blame you for being so, with your wedding gown, try this on another piece of clothing in your wardrobe. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Remember, if you try this, bleach free wipes.

Fabric Steamer

By 01/04/2011

Gorgeous dress! I'm sure you can use some type of fabric steamer to deodorize and get small specks of dirt out. If you know anyone who has a hand held shark steamer that would be perfect since it has a fabric attachment. Good luck, and what a thrifty find!

Clean With Vinegar and Place in Sun

By 10/24/2009

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.

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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

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)

By Mitch

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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

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)

By Grandma Margie

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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)

By Gina J.

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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)

By Glenn'sMom

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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)

By Lisa

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

How can I remove patches of iron mould marks from a 1930s wedding dress made of very fine satin backed crepe?

By bellini from Bristol, UK

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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)

By TEACH24

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

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.

By Deborah from Georgetown, TX

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

My Mom and Grandmother worked in the alterations department of a major department store in New Orleans back in the late 1940s through the 1960s. They put the wedding dresses in the sun to bleach the yellow out. Worked wonders for all the society ladies weddings. (10/23/2009)

By Frazzled Leslie

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

Use vinegar to clean the dress. I had underarm 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. (10/24/2009)

By kffrmw88

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

I have a small issue; I have a beautiful wedding dress. I'm getting married May 22 of the year. My issue is I have tried my dress on like 3 times and from putting it on I have gotten some oil spots (dirt) from my hands on it. I wash my hands every time I touch my dress, but I don't know how to get it out.

The spots are on the tips of my dress. I love my dress. I hope someone can help me. I'm afraid I will leave water marks if I try to clean it myself.

By Daniella from Plattsburgh, NY

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

I would imagine you will have to take it to the cleaners. I wouldn't try home remedies on something that expensive. Why try it on so many times, until it is time to see if it needs to be altered. After cleaning it, use white gloves whenever you touch it, if the fabric is that touchy that it shows spots every time that it is touched. (01/03/2010)

By redhatterb

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

I had to try the dress on once when I got it and once for the fitting and again for the fitting. The white gloves I new about, my mother told me to use them next time. But the dress is being changed to corset back then it's going to the cleaners, thanks. (01/03/2010)

By lilyrosebuds

RE: Cleaning a Wedding Dress

If it is only a small spot, maybe you could put "white out" on it. You know the stuff you use when correcting a typing mistake. (02/15/2010)

By WIsgal

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

I just want to ask, how can I wash or clean my wedding dress at home? There are stains of make-up and orange juice on it.

Cleaning a Wedding Dress

I am trying to figure out how to clean my mother's wedding dress that I have, still in a box for almost 70 years. It is made of a slipper satin fabric and I'm afraid to give it to a dry cleaners.