Saving yourself from a post-wedding trauma. How to properly store your wedding dress

HANOVER, Mass. - Aug. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- HANOVER, MA …

You even have the place where you’re going to store your dress. All that’s left is getting the dress from the dry cleaner and putting it away. While this might seem like the logical process for storing a wedding dress, more than a few gowns have met an untimely demise following a similar course of action.

“How you store a gown is even more important than getting the gown clean,” said Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, an environmentally friendly dry cleaning franchise with more than 40 locations nationwide. “The biggest mistake brides make is thinking they can store the dress in the plastic wrap from the dry cleaners. Over time, the plastics can give off chemicals that can discolor the fabric.”

Some other common storage mistakes include:

Remove the safety pins – Over time, metal pins can oxidize and leave rust marks on the dress.

Box your dress in acid-free tissue - If you are having your dress boxed, make sure it is being packed in acid free tissue paper. This helps prevent yellowing of the dress (remember that even with proper care it may be impossible to prevent all yellowing over time).

Check the dress periodically while in storage – You want to check your dress once a year for a couple of reasons. First, checking frequently, you will know sooner rather than later if the dress is deteriorating through inappropriate storage. Second, an annual check is a good opportunity to refold the dress to prevent permanent creases.

Avoid plastic storage boxes – Plastic may work well for seasonal storage, but are not suited to long term storage. If any moisture develops inside the box the fabric can develop mildew.

The temperature and climate - It is important that the textile can breathe. If the humidity around the dress remains constant, the likelihood of mold/mildew is reduced.

Avoid storing in humid or damp areas - Ideally the dress should NOT be stored in an area which is prone to high humidity (like your attic) or damp (like your basement), fluctuating temperatures increase the risk of deterioration. Often a wardrobe or under the bed is the best place.

Stay out of the light - If the dress is not boxed make sure it is stored away from sunlight and artificial light. Any type of long-term exposure to light can cause degradation and fading of the fabric.

“Of course, even under perfect conditions your dress might fade or discolor slightly as the fabric ages,” said DuBois. “But if you are intent on the dress lasting a while and possibly being used by future generations, please consult with a professional dry cleaner to discuss the best way to preserve your specific gown.”

Lapels has pioneered its eco-friendly dry cleaning experience for the past 10 years. Using the latest technology in equipment and cleaning solution, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Their environmentally-friendly cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes. At Lapels you can see, feel and smell the difference.

Lapels customers are greeted to a warm and inviting reception area, with friendly customer service representatives, and a full service on-site tailor.

Lapels offers it’s customers Automatic Rewards earning them credit towards free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend, Loyalty Programs, a VIP Program which eliminates the need to wait in line and the use of a 24 Hour Drop Off Service. Same day service is also available with pick-up after 5 pm.

For complete information on the Lapels Dry Cleaning, please visit www.mylapels.com.

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
Each Lapels Dry Cleaning store offers a full slate of services, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage. Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in: Arizona (Gilbert, Phoenix, Chandler); California (Poway); Colorado (Littleton); Connecticut (Cromwell); Louisiana (Monroe, West Monroe); Massachusetts (Abington, Bedford, Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Cohasset, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Franklin, Hanover, Marshfield, Newtonville, Norton, Quincy, Walpole, Westford, Westwood and Wilmington); Missouri (Wildwood); New Jersey (Brick, Freehold and Verona); Ohio (Liberty Township); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City); Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg); Rhode Island (Lincoln); South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Forest Village); and Texas (Arlington, Brownsville). Additional locations coming soon to Austin, TX, Cedar Park, TX, Natick, MA and Needham, MA.

 

Lapels Dry Cleaning has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur's “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. 

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.

 

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.