Wedding Dress Stains & How to Handle Them
Get a stain on your big day? Don’t panic! Below are some do’s & don’t’s of how to care for your dress as well as how to handle all sorts of stains.
Don’t rub the stain! It’s tempting to want to throw a lot of concoctions on it but rubbing it could make it worse by discoloring the fabric, chaffing the affected area, rubbing a hole in the fabric, or putting a water ring on it.
Don’t use any napkin/towel to blot the stain – make sure it’s white.
Don’t take photos on the grass or dirt without putting down a sheet whose color matches your dress down first. This protects the hem from getting dirty.
Don’t mess with grass stains! Leave it to the professional after your big day. If you must, you can camouflage it by using baby powder or chalk.
DO use a silk scarf to cover your made-up face before slipping your dress on.
DO drape your dress with a robe when doing make-up retouching to avoid staining.
DO read the label of your gown to understand the best way to launder it (almost all advise professional dry cleaning) and discuss fabric care with your bridal dress consultant.
DO preserve your wedding dress within 6 weeks of first wearing it for best results.
If you choose NOT to professionally preserve your dress, DON’T store it in a clear container. It will eventually yellow. DO wrap it in archival tissue (must be labeled both acid & lignin-free) and place in a storage box labeled for archival storage.
DO clean your dress according to garment label (again, most will say have professionally dry-cleaned before storing it or preserving it.
Here’s how to handle those inevitable mishaps!
For liquid stains, blot the stain with a clean WHITE napkin to remove excess liquid.
For solid stains, use a credit card, butter knife, or spoon to gently lift solid away.
If possible, put a clean white towel underneath the layer that has the stain, this will prevent both the stain & the cleaning concoction from penetrating multiple layers
Test your cleaning concoction on an unexposed seam or hem by blotting it 10 times. If there’s no color change, you’re good to go.
Dry it. Use a hair dryer and in a circular motion go from the outside of the stain inward.
Here’s what to do for each type of stain:
Red Wine: Blot excess liquid as soon as possible (using a white napkin or towel). Treat each layer of fabric that was affected individually by combining one part dishwashing liquid with 3 parts water. Dip a clean white towel into the soapy liquid and dab at the stain starting at the outside and working your way inward.
Coffee: Immediately blot away excess liquid with a clean white napkin or towel. Then, just like with red wine, combine 1 part dishwashing liquid and 3 parts water & dab from the outside of the stain in. Let air dry.
Blood: Blot away the excess blood with a clean white towel. Then use spit (yes! The enzymes in saliva help remove blood), or water, to dab at the stab with a cotton swab or white napkin. Keep dabbing and then let the fabric air dry. Camouflage any remaining stains with baby powder.
Makeup: Mascara & lipstick are hard to remove so take care to cover your face with a silk scarf before putting on your dress. Drape a rope over your shoulders when applying touch-ups. If it happens, try sticky tape to remove dry powders and lift away any sticky substances with a butter knife or spoon. Use baby powder to absorb oily smears.
Grass: Leave it alone! Let the professionals handle it as most concoctions make it worse. If you need to camouflage it, use baby powder or chalk.
Mud: When possible, let it dry and then brush the solids away. Just like grass, these stains are hard to remove so camouflaging it is your best bet using baby or chalk until you can get it to a professional.
Oil or Grease: As soon as possible, cover the stain with a thick layer of cornstarch or baby powder. Let sit for 15 minutes then gently process away. Repeat as necessary to absorb as much oil or grease as possible. Once dry, use isopropyl alcohol or vodka and dab from the outer edge of the stain inward. Allow to air dry.
Now enjoy an extra glass of champagne knowing that your dress is well cared for!
