Designer wedding dresses and couture gowns are not just garments; they are huge investments and treasured memories.
But with time, even the most expensive and beautiful gown can develop yellowing, a discoloration that dulls its beauty and affects overall fabric quality.
Generally, yellowing is caused by exposure to air, light, moisture, and improper storage. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to prevent yellowing and keep your gown looking as beautiful as the day you wore it.
In this article, we will discuss these effective ways to protect your designer wedding dresses for the long run.
1.Cleaning the Dress Immediately After the Wedding
Even if your wedding gowns and dresses look clean at first glance, tiny traces of sweat, body oils, and makeup can settle into the fabric.
With time, these residues get oxidized and cause yellowing, especially on delicate fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, and lace.
You might think of washing these gowns at home in a washing machine, but the harsh detergents and excessive scrubbing can cause damage to delicate fibers and embellishments.
Instead, it’s important to clean your gown as soon as possible using gentle methods, such as buying a Couture Wedding Dress Cleaning & Preservation Kit. These kits are specifically designed to safely remove the stains from these high-end wedding dresses and gowns.
After that, your dresses are kept in acid-free/neutral preservation boxes that prevent yellowing.
2.Minimize Handling
Even if your wedding gown is professionally cleaned, frequent handling can put it at risk. Every time you touch the fabric, your hands naturally transfer tiny amounts of oils, dirt, or sweat to it.
This results in discoloration and yellowing with time. Delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, satin, lace, and tulle are particularly vulnerable to this type of damage.
So, to keep your gowns in the most pristine condition, avoid unnecessary touching or unfolding. If you want to check it, make sure you wear clean cotton gloves and handle the gown gently.
Also, avoid hanging or draping the gown in ways that put strains on delicate areas, which eventually results in damage.
3.Keep Your Gown in a Cool and Dark Place
Where you store your wedding gown is just as important as how you clean it.
Fabrics like silk, satin, and chiffon are highly sensitive to heat and light. When exposed to direct sunlight or even artificial lighting for long periods, the fibers get damaged. They get weakened and the gown starts to discolor or turn yellow.
Similarly, when your dress is exposed to hot, humid spaces, it can speed up fabric oxidation, which eventually causes it to lose its natural brightness and charm.
So, the best place for your gown is in a climate-controlled environment where temperature and humidity remain stable.
4.Avoid Using Plastic Bags for Storage
One of the biggest mistakes brides make after their wedding is storing their gown in a regular plastic bag. That’s because these plastic bags are not breathable and can cause damage to delicate fabrics like silk, satin, or lace.
When a gown is sealed inside plastic, any small amount of moisture trapped inside has nowhere to escape. With time, this creates a damp and humid environment that encourages mildew, mold, and yellowing.
Also, these plastic bags release chemicals that might react with the fibers of your gowns and cause permanent discoloration.
Av5.oid DIY Spot Cleaning with Home Products
Though the home remedies like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or bleach might be effective on everyday fabrics, they are very dangerous for delicate couture gowns.
This is because fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, lace, and tulle are extremely sensitive to chemical reactions. Even a small amount of bleach or acidic solution can weaken the fibers of fabrics, which may cause uneven fading and permanent yellow spots.
Summing Up
Designer wedding dresses and couture gowns are precious investments that require careful care to maintain their beauty.
With time, these gowns can develop yellowing, which is often caused by exposure to air, light, moisture, and improper storage.
Brides should never store wedding gowns in plastic bags or attempt DIY spot cleaning methods with harsh home remedies, as they can permanently damage their dress.
But with proper handling, minimizing contact, using cotton gloves, and getting the wedding dress preserved, you can maintain the beauty of the gown for years to come.