Brides have varying reasons for deciding when to clean their wedding dress. Some drop it off at the cleaners the very next morning, while others prefer to wait a few months. Yes, there’s no universal timeline to post-wedding dress care, but there are recommended steps every bride should consider a week after the big day for a better chance at preserving it well.
To know exactly how to protect your dress from stains, fading, or fabric damage, we outlined the key things every bride should do during that first post-wedding week.
1) Inspect Your Dress for Stains and Damage
Before sending your dress for cleaning, take a detailed look at every inch of fabric under bright lighting. Many stains are invisible at first but oxidize over time, leading to permanent yellowing and discoloration.
How to Check for Stains on Your Wedding Dress
Some stains are obvious (food, red wine, and cake frosting), but others—like perspiration and body oils—take time to develop and can be harder to spot. Here’s how to do a thorough stain inspection:
1. Find Good Lighting
Natural daylight is best for spotting hidden stains. Avoid dimly lit rooms or artificial yellow-toned lighting that might mask discoloration.
2. Lay the Dress on a Clean, Flat Surface
Use a large table, a bed, or even the floor (covered with a clean sheet). Avoid hanging the dress during inspection—stains can be harder to see when the fabric is draped.
3. Check These High Stain Areas First:
- Underarms and Neckline – Sweat, deodorant, body oils, perfume
- Bust and Bodice – Makeup smudges, foundation, hairspray residue
- Hemline and Train – Dirt, mud, grass stains from outdoor photos
- Skirt and Sides – Wine, champagne, cake, or food stains
- Back of the Dress – Hidden spills from guests’ drinks, accidental smudges from hugs
4. Use a White Cloth for the Blot Test
Lightly press a white cotton cloth onto different parts of the dress—if residue or discoloration transfers, there’s a hidden stain.
5. Take Notes or Photos
Make a checklist of where stains are located so your dry cleaner can focus on those areas. Snap close-up pictures if necessary—some stains look faint now but may darken later.
Remember: Even invisible stains can turn yellow over time, so if your dress was exposed to any liquids (champagne, sweat, perfume), assume it needs professional cleaning.
How to Check for Damage on Your Wedding Dress
Between walking, dancing, and celebrating, your dress went through a lot on your wedding day. Before sending it off for bridal dress cleaning, check for fabric damage, missing embellishments, or weakened seams. Here’s how:
1. Examine Lace and Delicate Fabrics for Snags
Run your hands gently over the lace and tulle—if you feel rough spots, check for tears or snags. Look for fraying or loose threads in intricate designs.
2. Inspect Beading, Sequins, and Embellishments
Check that buttons, crystals, pearls, or appliqués are still securely attached. Lightly shake the dress—if you hear loose beads inside layers of fabric, they may need reinforcement.
3. Test the Strength of the Seams and Zipper
Look for stretched or split seams, especially along high-tension areas like the waist, bust, and back. Slowly zip and unzip the dress. If the zipper catches or feels misaligned, it may need repair.
4. Check the Hem and Train for Tears
If your dress dragged on the floor, there may be frayed edges or small rips in the hemline. If you had a bustle, inspect where it was pinned—fabric tension can cause tiny tears.
5. Feel for Stiff or Brittle Areas
If sections of the fabric feel stiffer than the rest, that could indicate hairspray buildup or a dried spill. These areas need specialized cleaning to avoid permanent fiber damage.
2) Avoid DIY Cleaning
It can be tempting to scrub out a stain yourself, but bridal fabrics like silk, lace, and satin require professional treatment. Using the wrong cleaner or technique can spread stains, weaken fabric fibers, or cause irreversible damage.
What NOT to do:
- Don’t rub or scrub a stain—it can push it deeper into the fabric.
- Avoid regular laundry detergent, bleach, or household cleaners.
- Never use heat (like a hair dryer or iron) to try to remove stains—it can set them permanently.
What you CAN do:
- Lightly blot stains with a white cotton cloth (never colored or printed towels).
- If it gets wet, air out your dress in a dry, cool room.
- Transport it as soon as possible to a professional bridal dress dry cleaner.
3) Take Your Dress to a Wedding Dress Dry Cleaning Specialist
General dry cleaners may lack the experience, treatments, and equipment needed for high-end bridal dresses. A specialist knows how to evaluate the material of your dress, treat hidden stains, and clean without causing fading, stretching, or discoloration.
Look for a wedding dress cleaning specialist who offers:
- Individual stain evaluation and hand-spotting
- Acid-free and fabric-safe cleaning solutions
- Wet cleaning or gentle solvent options for fragile materials
- Steam finishing or hand pressing (not industrial pressing)
- Attention to embellishments like beading, sequins, and lace appliqués
Remember: Choosing a cleaner who works in house is also a major plus—outsourcing increases the risk of mishandling or delays, and you won’t have direct communication about the care of your dress.
4) Decide Whether to Preserve or Store Your Dress
Once your dress is cleaned, the next step is deciding how to store it properly. If you want to keep it long term, pass it down, or even resell it, wedding dress preservation is the best option.
Preservation includes:
- Acid-free wedding dress preservation box
- Special tissue wrapping to prevent yellowing and creasing
- Sealed packaging to protect from dust, insects, and moisture
Short-term storage includes:
- Breathable garment bag (never plastic!)
- Hanging in a cool, dark, dry closet
- Keeping away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity
Remember: If you choose a professional Wedding Dress Cleaning and Preservation Service, ask about warranty coverage in case you want to inspect or wear your dress in the future.
5) Pack and Transport Your Dress Carefully
Improper handling during transit can cause just as much damage as a missed stain. Creasing, fabric stretching, beading snags, and even exposure to moisture or sunlight can all happen if your dress isn’t packed correctly.
Follow these expert tips when packing your dress:
- Use a breathable cotton garment bag. Avoid plastic at all costs—it traps humidity and can lead to mildew or yellowing. Cotton or muslin bags allow air circulation while keeping dust out.
- Fold the dress with acid-free tissue paper. Place tissue paper between each fold to prevent creasing and protect embellishments like sequins, lace, or buttons from rubbing against one another.
- Place the dress in a flat box or structured case if possible. Especially helpful for longer car rides or shipping. If your dress is heavy, this prevents fabric from stretching on a hanger.
- Avoid overstuffing the bag or box. Give the dress room to “breathe” and lay naturally—overpacking can crush delicate areas like the bodice or train.
Best way to transport your dress:
- Lay it flat in the back seat. Avoid hanging your dress in a car where it can swing, wrinkle, or catch on objects. Laying it flat distributes the weight evenly.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight. Sun exposure can fade delicate fabrics, especially silks and satins. Transport it during cooler parts of the day if possible.
- Don’t leave it in a hot or humid vehicle. Excess heat can set stains or melt delicate details like glue from appliqués or beading.
- Take it directly to your dry cleaner or preservation service. Time matters. The sooner your dress is cleaned, the better your chances of removing hidden stains and preserving the fabric’s integrity.
6) Don’t Forget About Your Veil, Shoes, and Accessories
Whether you wore satin heels, leather flats, or sparkly pumps, your wedding shoes took a beating—between photos, dancing, and walking on different surfaces. And your accessories? From jewelry to garters, they were all exposed to sweat, perfume, and natural oils.
Care instructions by item:
1. Shoes
- For satin or fabric shoes, blot any stains with a clean cloth and take them to a shoe cleaning specialist.
- Leather shoes may need conditioning or polishing—never store them dirty.
- Store shoes in their original box or a dust bag to prevent scratches or fading.
2. Jewelry and Hair Accessories
- Wipe down metal and stones with a microfiber cloth to remove oils and residue.
- Keep pieces in a tarnish-resistant bag or jewelry box, stored away from direct light or humidity.
3. Garters, Gloves, and Belts
- These items may have lace, elastic, or embellishments—hand wash with care or consult a preservation expert.
- Wrap in acid-free tissue paper and store them in a small keepsake box.
7) Ask the Right Questions Before Booking a Wedding Dress Cleaning and Preservation Service
Before trusting someone with your dress, be sure to ask the right questions:
- Do you specialize in wedding dress dry cleaning and preservation?
- What cleaning methods do you use? (Avoid harsh chemicals!)
- Can you remove wine, dirt, and perspiration stains?
- Do you offer wedding dress preservation service?
- Do you provide a warranty or insurance coverage?
Remember: If a business doesn’t seem confident in their answers, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Your Dress Had Its Moment—Now Let The Cleaning Club Take Care of It!
Planning to keep your dress as long as time allows? Make sure it’s cleaned and preserved the right way before humidity, discoloration, or hidden stains leave a lasting impact. At The Cleaning Club, we bring over 35 years of experience to specialized wedding dress care. Plus, our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee means we stand firmly behind our work—if you’re not completely satisfied, let us know, and we’ll make it right.
Visit us at:
📍 10905 Venice Blvd. UNIT 101, Los Angeles, CA, 90034
📞 Call: 310-836-9700
📧 Email: info@thecleaningclub.com
🕒 Hours: Mon–Sat: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Sunday: Closed
Reach out to us and our customer service team will respond within 24 hours.