The wedding gown is the most cherished garment in a bride’s life and as soon as the festivities end the first task should be to preserve it. Procrastination can lead to damage so the sooner the gown gets cleaned and stored in cool dry place, the better it is.
Soon after the use the gown should be wrapped in a clean, unbleached, white cotton sheet. Never use plastic bags as they decompose and cause rapid decomposition of the delicate fabric. It leave acid residue on the gown and spoil it. The gown should be wrinkle free and kept as flat as possible and away from dust and humidity.
Give the dress for dry-cleaning, making sure the dry-cleaners are known for wedding gown preservation. Take suggestions from friends, bridal wear shops and go with referrals.
The dry-cleaning method will depend on the fabric, the label instructions, and the type of embellishments the gown has.
Storing is the major concern for heirlooms like this and although many people go with sealing it in the preservation box, those who know the worth of such a precious garment don’t recommend sealing as it promotes mold and mildew growth.
The factors to keep in mind and avoid when preserving the gown are, mold, yellowing, dust, oxidation, light, and permanent creases.

