Considering all the elements and variables that exist within the planning of a wedding, it is arguably the bridal dress that receives the most time spent on it.

Given that for any bride, her wedding day is going to be one of the most special and unique days of her life, it is little wonder that she and those supporting her, want to ensure that the wedding dress she wears is as perfect as can be.

For those of a less romantic nature and who feel that too much is spent on weddings, one of their arguments will likely be that a wedding dress is only ever likely to be worn once, and “So, why all the fuss?”, they might ask.

But, as entitled they are to that view, each bride is every bit as entitled to choose and wear a dress that makes her feel more special and beautiful than she ever has before.

As for the point about a wedding dress only being worn once, this misses the point that whilst it might not be worn again, it most certainly will be viewed again.

Most brides will tell you that through the years they will have either been asked to show their dress to a friend or family member who wishes to view it or be asked to show it to a bride-to-be who is looking for inspiration for her own wedding dress.

Hopefully, the wedding dress has remained in good conation and is as white as the day it was first worn, but in reality that is not always the case.

Either on the wedding day itself or over time, a wedding dress can be subject to stains or marks, which is when questions about cleaning a wedding dress arise.

So, we have below five common questions about cleaning wedding dresses along with the answers which you may have been looking for.

Is Professional Cleaning The Best Way To Clean My Wedding Dress?

Undoubtedly. Given the huge array of fabrics used to make wedding dresses, knowing how to clean each of them properly and safely is how professional bridal dress cleaners ensure wedding dresses are returned to their owners clean and intact.

How Much Does Professionally Cleaning A Wedding Dress Cost?

This will vary from city to city and from state to state. It will also depend on the age of the dress, its fabric(s), its size, and its condition should any repairs be necessary.

The range of wedding dress professional cleaning prices can be from as low as $200 and go up to around $1,000.

Can I Clean My Wedding Dress In The Washing Machine?

You could, but there are risks and two huge caveats.

First, the fabric must be washing machine friendly, and second, you must remove any adornments or frills which could be ripped off whilst in the washing machine.

Is There A Definite Time After My Wedding Day To Wait Until I Have My Wedding Dress Cleaned?

The best advice is that you should have your wedding dress cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding day.

Professional bridal dress cleaners can clean wedding dresses 5 years after they were worn, and still get them 95% to their original whiteness, but why wait?

Is There A Recommended Way To Store My Wedding Dress?

You should not store a wedding dress on a normal hanger, as its weight can cause seams to stretch.

Nor are plastic gown bags recommended as they can cause the dress to discolour. For long-term storage, lay the dress flat and wrap it in some acid-free paper within a large storage box that has a lid that closes tightly to prevent insects and dust from entering.