Storing your Prom Dress

Most store-bought dresses are not made to last long. Whether you intend to wear your dress again in coming years or pass it down to a family member or friend, you’ll want to wash it to keep it in pristine condition.

At Clean Laundry, we have some easy care tips to help prolong the life of your gown so you can enjoy it for years to come:

Dry Cleaning

Check to see if your garment has a tag with special care instructions. Many of us tend to overlook these instructions, but it is vital to follow them! If you notice the instructions say “dry clean only”, it will be beneficial to get the garment dry cleaned instead of washing it yourself. Additionally, it’s best to find a dry cleaner that specializes in evening wear, especially if your dress is made of wool, pleather, rayon or velvet.

Hand Washing

If your dress has beads, sequins or tulle, it is safest to hand wash.

Fill a clean sink or a plastic tub with cold water. Add a small amount of gentle detergent and fabric softener. Turn garment inside out, gently kneed by hand for just about a minute, then rinse well with cold water to remove all of the detergent and fabric softener. Turn your dress right side out and hang it up to air dry. Do not use a clothes dryer as this may damage or shrink the fabric.

If you want your dress to smell fresh after washing, hang dry in full sunlight (be sure to read care instructions).

Machine Wash

Dresses made of polyester, nylon or acrylic can be machine washed on a cold setting. For white fabrics that are safe for bleach, add a little to your wash cycle. Always hang to dry.

Storing Your Gown

Always store your gown in a cool, dry place. It is best to place it in a tightly sealed container or garment bag. We also suggest using cedar or lavender to repel moths and larvae.

It’s About Time,

Clean Laundry