You spent weeks scouring shopping malls and designer boutiques to find the perfect prom dress. Then you went to the dance and had the time of your life. If you’re like most girls, you hope to have a chance to someday wear that fabulous dress again. Or, at least keep it as a fancy souvenir. To make sure your dress lasts as long as possible, follow these simple tips.
Treat Prom Dress Stains Immediately
In all the excitement of dancing and reveling with your friends, it is highly likely that a drink spilled on your dress. Or, some of your friend’s makeup rubbed off on your shoulder when you gave her a hug. Try your best to treat stains as quickly as possible so that they do not have time to set into the fabric. You may want to consider bringing some stain-removing wipes in your purse to quickly handle emergencies. If you were having so much fun that you didn’t even notice the stain until you got home, that’s okay too. Just try to get the stain out as soon as you can. Whichever stain-removing product you choose to use, follow the package instructions. And, always test it first on an area of the fabric that is not easily visible. Like, the inside of the hem or the interior lining. You want to make sure that the product will not alter the color of the fabric or ruin its texture. For really stubborn or set in stains, it is best to leave your prom dress stains a professional cleaner.
Trust The Cleaning Pro’s
Even if your dress says it is machine washable, for high-end garments, it is usually best to go to a professional dry cleaner, unless the garment specifically says it cannot be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is much more gentle on garments than machine washing, so it can help to greatly extend the life of your dress. Check reviews online or ask your friends and parents for a recommendation for a reputable dry cleaning company. Most dry cleaners have ample experience in handling high-quality garments. And, can ensure that your dress will not be damaged during the cleaning process. If there were any stains on your dress that you were unable to treat by yourself, be sure to point them out to the cleaner when you drop off the dress. The cleaner will have stronger products than are available to the general public. They also know how to treat delicate fabrics without damaging them.
Invest in a High-Quality Garment Bag
While your dry cleaner will likely send your dress home with you in a protective plastic bag, this is not intended to be a permanent storage solution. The plastic is usually very light and can tear easily, thus exposing your dress to dust, moths and other potential contaminants. Also, depending on the store where you bought your dress, it may have come in a temporary garment bag. However, like those from the dry cleaner, these garment bags typically are not of the highest quality either. Instead, visit a tuxedo or formal dress shop and buy a long-term storage garment bag. It should be dark in color so as not to allow sunlight to get through. Which, can bleach the color of your dress over time. Also, make sure that the bag you choose is fully closed on all sides so that moths and other insects cannot get in. Check that the bag has lining on the inside to cover the zipper so that it won’t snag the delicate fabric of your dress. Store the dress hanging at full length and without compression from the sides, if possible. This will help to prevent wrinkles so your dress will be ready to wear for your next fabulous event.
These simple tips can help to greatly increase the life of your dress so that you can continue to wear it for many years to come. Prom is such an exciting time in your life and you want to make sure that you can cherish those memories forever. So have a great time at the dance, and keep your dress looking great so you can relive the memories again and again.