Your Guide to Treasured Garment Care
Aftercare For Your Treasured Gown
After the preservation process, it’s important to understand how to care for your gown to ensure it remains flawlessly intact for years to come. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we take pride in sharing insights on how brides can ensure their gowns can remain beautiful for future generations. With proper aftercare, your preserved gown will continue to be a cherished memento of your special day. Take a moment to explore our tips on how to best preserve the beauty of your gown below!
Treasured Garment Care Tips
Janet Davis Cleaners offers these tips on caring for your personal gown:
- Remove Plastic Wrap Immediately: This wrap is only for transportation. Fabrics need to breathe, and wrapping your box in plastic could cause yellowing or mildew if moisture is trapped inside the box.
- You will notice we have removed any bust or underarm pads. These items may emit acid fumes, and so should be stored separately.
- Any metal buttons or metal hoops have been removed. Over time these items may rust or cause your dress to turn yellow if left attached. These items are inside your chest, buffered with acid-free tissue paper.
- Take your gown out of the chest carefully, trying to leave the tissue in the gown intact. Have a good look at the gown, front and back, to make sure it is in perfect condition. In the extremely rare instance that any discoloration should appear, call Janet Davis Cleaners (or any other member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists in over 500 cities worldwide) immediately so we can take care of that. Your lifetime guarantee includes free correction of discoloration, as well as free pressing for future use (if you pass your gown to a friend or relative, any member of the Association will press it before use).
- To replace your gown, fluff up the tissue to keep the sleeves rounded, and try to replace it in the box with as few folds in the fabric as possible. Place tissue between layers to absorb acidity. The tissue serves two functions: to prevent hard folds in the fabric, which can cause damage over time, and to keep the environment acid-free. If you need more tissue when you repack your gown, it is essential that you use only acid-free tissue, which you can get from Janet Davis Cleaners. Most tissue is not acid-free; so don’t take a chance with tissue you have around the house!
- Store in a Suitable Location: Store your boxed gown in a cupboard in the main part of the house—ideally in a guest room or spare room closet—where it will remain undisturbed. Avoid storing it in the attic, basement, or against an outside wall, as fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause damage over time. Keep the gown away from direct sunlight or bright artificial light, which can cause fading.
- Climate Control: Aim to store your gown in an environment with stable temperature and humidity levels—around 65-70°F and 50-55% humidity. Avoid areas prone to pests such as moths or rodents. This will ensure your gown remains in excellent condition.
- Avoid Frequent Handling: Each time you handle the gown, there is a risk of damage. The safest place for your preserved gown is inside the chest, where it has been carefully placed by skilled professionals. If you need to inspect it, use the included pair of white cotton gloves to prevent oils from your skin from soiling the fabric. Even if you feel a little silly, it’s worth the extra protection!
- Periodic Airing Out: You may take your gown out of the chest every 2-3 years to let the fabric breathe. This can reduce the risk of mold or mildew and lets you check on its condition. Remember to handle it carefully and only with gloves.
- Check for Discoloration: When you take your gown out of the chest, inspect it front and back to ensure it’s in perfect condition. In the extremely rare case that any discoloration appears, contact Janet Davis Cleaners (or any other member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists) immediately so we can take care of it. Your lifetime guarantee includes free correction of discoloration as well as free pressing for future use. If you pass your gown to a friend or relative, any member of the Association will press it for free before use.
- Handling Bust Pads, Metal Hoops, and Buttons: If your gown included bust pads, metal buttons, or metal hoops, they have been removed to prevent rusting or yellowing. These items are stored separately in your preservation chest with acid-free tissue paper.
- Repacking After Inspection: If you choose to remove your gown from the chest, be careful to replace the tissue paper inside to keep the sleeves rounded and avoid folds in the fabric. The tissue serves two functions: to prevent hard folds, which can damage fabric over time, and to maintain an acid-free environment. If you need more tissue when repacking, use only acid-free tissue paper from Janet Davis Cleaners.
- Avoid Heavy Stacking: Do not stack heavy items on top of the preservation chest. Compression damage or warping could affect the box and ultimately harm the gown inside.
- Future Preservation: If you take your gown out for a special occasion, such as an anniversary photo, or find the gown has been handled more than expected, bring it back to Janet Davis Cleaners for re-preservation. We will ensure its condition is restored and maintained for the future.
Thank you for trusting your treasured gown to Janet Davis Cleaners.