Wedding Dress Storage 101: Keep It Pristine for Years

A wedding dress is not just any kind of wear. It has all the moments and feelings of one of the happiest days in your life. How can you not keep it? But you can’t just throw it into a box.

Whether you want it as a memory or to pass it down to your daughter, you need to know a thing or two about wedding dress preservation. It can be tricky, but with the right knowledge, you can prevent damage and keep the dress looking beautiful.

What to do with a wedding dress?

There are plenty of reasons to preserve your wedding dress. The sentimental value for example. Besides that, many brides love to pass down their gown, either for someone else to wear or to repurpose it for future events. It’s a special tradition.

If you don’t know what to do with your wedding dress after the celebration, here is an idea. Have it cleaned and stored properly. It’s not as complicated or expensive as a lot of people think. Many dry cleaners and bridal shops offer affordable preservation services.

After all, wedding dresses are made from delicate fabrics. These can easily be affected by humidity, mould, mildew and even light. Those conditions can be found in your home most of the time.

So, storing the dress in a climate-controlled, dry environment keeps moisture at bay and helps prevent any weakening of the fibres and yellowing. Proper storage also shields the gown from dust, pests, and accidental snags or tears.

How can you properly store your wedding dress?

You can absolutely store your wedding dress yourself. Furthermore, with the right approach, you can keep it in excellent condition.

1. Clean your wedding dress before storage for good preservation

As you already have learned, the first step in your wedding dress preservation is to clean it. Even if the dress looks spotless, hidden stains like sweat, makeup, or food can cause yellowing or fabric damage over time. The longer the stains stay, the harder they become to remove. Hence, why you need to remove them as soon as possible. But first…

When it comes to how to clean and preserve a wedding dress, professional dry cleaning is usually best. A wedding dress cleaner will have experience in handling delicate fabrics. While some people may consider DIY cleaning methods, that can be risky. Home treatments can lead to damage if you use the wrong cleaning solutions. In the end, it’s your call.

2. Pick the right storage materials

This step matters just as much as the others. The proper storage materials will help protect your dress from discolouration, fabric breakdown, and other damage. Here’s what you’ll need for safe and effective wedding dress preservation.

Acid-free tissue paper and boxes

If you’re wondering, “Can I just keep my wedding dress in a box?” the answer is yes. However, it needs to be an acid-free storage box. Layer acid-free tissue paper between the folds of your dress to prevent creasing and protect delicate fabrics. Then place it inside the acid-free box.

Why are acid-free materials used for preserving wedding dresses, you may ask? Regular paper and boxes have chemicals that can yellow, damage, or stiffen fabrics. Acid-free tissue and boxes lack these harmful chemicals. They protect delicate fabrics like silk and lace. Moreover, they prevent creases and allow the dress to “breathe”.

Padded hangers and acid-free garment bags

If you choose to hang your dress, use padded hangers to prevent fabric stretching, especially if the dress is heavy. Additionally, invest in an acid-free garment bag to protect your gown from dust, light, and humidity.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it OK to store a wedding dress in a plastic bag?”, the answer is no for long-term storage. Plastic bags trap moisture, which will lead to mildew and fabric deterioration.

Where to buy these specialised materials? You can find acid-free tissue paper, boxes, and garment bags at specialised bridal stores, online preservation retailers, or from some dry cleaners that offer wedding dress preservation services.

3. Correct ways to pack a wedding dress for storage

There is a right way to pack a wedding dress for storage and it goes like this.

1. Gently fold the dress. This will avoid stress on the delicate fabrics and embellishments;
2. Place tissue paper between fabric layers to prevent friction and snagging;
3. Avoid hanging heavy dresses long-term to prevent fabric stretching;
4. Always use padded hangers for lighter dresses if hanging is preferred;
5. Pack the dress flat in the acid-free storage box for better preservation;
6. Store the dress in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and humidity.

Where to best store a wedding dress?

Where you store a wedding dress is just as important as how you do it. The ideal conditions for storing a wedding dress at home are in a cool, dry, and stable spot. A closet or even under-bed storage in a climate-controlled room works great.

You’ll want to keep the temperature steady. Somewhere between 60°F and 75°F (16°C to 24°C) with low humidity is what you strive for. This will help prevent things like mould, mildew, and fabric discolouration.

Some areas in your home might seem like convenient storage spots. Sadly they’re actually not. For example, putting your dress in the attic or loft. It might sound practical, but those spaces tend to have fluctuating temperatures and high humidity levels. Plus, attics are prone to dust, pests and bird invasions, and even potential roof leaks.

Similarly, basements and garages are not ideal either. Their typically high humidity levels can lead to mould and mildew. And don’t forget, basements also run the risk of flooding or water damage, which could completely ruin your dress.

Long-term storage and maintenance tips

Here are some practical tips for maintaining your gown over time:

How long can you store a wedding dress?

When you store the wedding dress properly, it can last decades, even generations, without significant damage. The key to long-term preservation lies in how the dress is stored, but you already know plenty on that topic.

Again, use acid-free tissue and boxes. Keep the dress in a controlled climate. Check for damage regularly. With proper storage, a wedding dress can last 20, 30, or even 50 years.