The Ultimate Guide to Prom Dress Care

Yes, prom is not as impactful as your wedding day but, it is still a very important milestone in your life. We know that you love your prom dress, and you want it to last an entire lifetime as a memory of your special occasion, so how do you ensure that it does? Caring for your dress is extremely important, We are here with our tips on preserving your prom dress for as long as your heart desires.

Wrinkles

When you bring home your dress, make sure that you allow it room to breathe. Be sure that nothing is rubbing on the dress so that it does not wrinkle. If your dress does wrinkle, you need to make sure to get the wrinkles out before your special day. Most prom shops will give you a final steaming the day before your event. If not, call your local dry cleaner and see how much it would cost to get it pressed.  

Another great trick is to put your dress on a hanger and hang it on the back of the bathroom door. Turn your shower water on the hottest temperature, close the bathroom door, and let it steam for about 15 minutes. The wrinkles will vanish.

Tip: If you decided to get a spray tan, do it a day or two before so you can wash it off the residue before you step into your beautiful gown. This will ensure less staining.  Also, pack a Tide stick in your prom clutch as they truly do work wonders and you can tackle the stain on the spot.

After your event and before you put your dress away into storage, be sure to get it dry cleaned first.  Store your dress in a cool and dry place and do not store anywhere damp or hot (as this may deteriorate or discolor your dress).  Also, try to not store your dress in areas that have a lot of natural sunlight, as that can severely discolor your dress over time.  Check your gown regularly to ensure that it is not damaged.  An excellent storage place is the top shelf of your closet.  Lay your dress flat in a sealed box or garment bag.  Places to avoid are attacks, basements and storage units.

Stains

Stains are the worst! Treat your stain ASAP.

First, identify your stain.

• Makeup → Dampen your stain using a warm towel and then lightly press a color safe bleach or liquid detergent into the stain. Wash the garment in warm water, and hang to dry.

• Grass/Outdoor → Use alcohol to wipe off the fabric, then apply a chlorine bleach to your remaining stain (make sure it is color safe).

• Grease → Wash the garment in warm water, place the stain down on paper towels and rub dry with liquid pretreatment spray. After this is complete, wash in warm water and hang to dry.

• Sweat → Use a damp bar of soap on the stained area, then apply a liquid detergent to the stain and wash it.

At the end of the day, if your stain is really bad, we recommend bringing your dress to a professional. Just ask for a spot cleaning, it won’t hurt the pocket as much and it will ensure the life of your dress.