Our friends over at SmartBrideBoutique.com put together a list of important questions to consider when researching for a dry cleaner to clean and preserve your wedding gown. You don’t want to leave your beautiful gown in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. Here are 10 questions to ask:
1. Does the cleaner specialize in cleaning and preserving wedding gown?
Most cleaners do not do their own work when it comes to wedding gowns. They send them off to someone else, often someone else in another state. Not good. You want a cleaner who takes responsibility for your gown.
2. Ask if the cleaner has been specially trained and if the cleaner is a member of an Association.
The last thing you need is someone who is going to practice or “learn on the job” with your beautiful gown.
3. How many years has the cleaner been in business?
The cleaner may be very well trained, but years of experience count. The longer they have been in business the more likely they’ve cleaned gowns similar to yours.
4. What kind of solvent is the cleaner going to use on your gown?
A specialist knows that some solvents are gentler than others and will use the solvent best for your gown’s fragile beading and other decorations.
5. Does the cleaner handle solvents responsibly?
For example, members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists provide a MuseumCareTM ZeroCarbonTM preservation. These preservations are Endorsed by the Association of Bridal Consultants and are truly green because they offset all carbon emissions with donations to Carbonfund.org to fund reforestation projects worldwide. Receive $35 off your cleaning and find a location near you.
6. What kind of guarantee does the cleaner provide?
Today or twenty-five years from today, who is going to honor the guarantee that your gown will still be in pristine, ready-to-wear condition?
7. Does the container allow the fabric to “breathe” with changes in heat and humidity?
Shrink-wrapping can trap moisture that may cause mildew and create an electrostatic charge that sets creases which no amount of pressing can remove.
9. What precautions does the cleaner take to protect the gown during the cleaning process?
Prongs, for example, around the beads on your gown can snag the fabric during the cleaning process. When it is packed, bows or flowers should be stuffed or protected with a nest of tissue. Bust pads should also be removed because they emit off-gases that will yellow your gown.
10. Can the cleaner actually get the dress clean?
Will all stains and “floor dirt” around the hem of the gown come out? Be aware that stains such as wine or ginger ale contain sugar and can dry clear. Over the years stains can turn brown, and such stains do not automatically dissolve during the cleaning process and require special care.
Believe it or not, cleaning is the most important part of the preservation process so look for a cleaner who will allow you to personally inspect your gown. And then look carefully to be sure your gown will be as lovely years from now as it was the day you wore that very special gown.