Without the removal of dirt and stains, any gown preservation method will not be successful. Stains from wine, perspiration, and dirt as well as oil from skin, must be removed in order for preservation to be a success. Untreated stains however minor soon become set into the dress fabric and are likely to cause permanent marking. Some invisible marks, particularly simple drink spills, will progressively darken with time and become very difficult or impossible to remove later.
At Village Dry Cleaners we make every effort to treat all stains but it is not always possible to remove stains without risk of damage to the fabric or embellishments.
We do not recommend storing your gown on a hanger: Fabrics and fabric seams can not withstand the weight of gravity over time, regardless of the quality of the garment. The whole dress will be affected and damaged by the downward pulling and not just the shoulders of the gown.
We do not recommend storing your gown in plastic. Plastics contain chemicals that keep them from becoming brittle and these chemicals give off fumes that can accelerate the discoloration process. Plastics also trap moisture, causing mildew and mold to grow inside the plastic and damage your gown. In addition to problems associated with sealing a textile in plastic, vacuum sealing adds additional concerns. The actual vacuum compresses the dress and applies pressure to the fabric which will cause additional damage over time.
Store your gown in an PH Neutral Storage Container: The acid found in most substances is one of the main causes of yellowing over time. You can use acid-free tissue paper to minimize fold lines, to hold dress shape, and also to absorb acid that is naturally occurring in the fabrics and details of the gown itself.
Our wedding dress boxes are made from specially milled pH neutral board, which means they do not contain acid or alkali. If you have your dress cleaned and heirloomed at Village dry cleaners offers to pack it using acid free tissue. If you just want to order a box we include sufficient sheets of tissue to pack your dress.
We do not recommend you store your gown in a basement or attic. No preservation method can withstand the extreme temperature changes and dampness that are associated with these areas. Always keep your gown in a room that you would be comfortable in.