How to Clean a Wedding Dress, According to Experts

It’s one of the most important—and sentimental—pieces of clothing you’ll ever wear: your wedding dress. After saying “I do,” to your partner in it, you’ll spend time dancing, eating, and celebrating your new marital status in your chosen gown. However, amidst this revelry, you may unwittingly spill a few drops of liquid, walk down a mud-ridden path, or get a bit of pasta sauce on it. In the days following your nuptials, as you examine the state of your dress, you may be shocked to see how many marks it has. However, before you start panicking, know that it’s not your fault; white and ivory fabrics are incredibly easy to stain. And even though it may feel as though the situation is dire, it isn’t. While taking your gown to a cleaners is always an option, you can also clean it yourself.

Cleaning your wedding dress doesn’t have to be an intimidating or scary process. However, before you start scrubbing at those stains, it’s important to know that such a gown is much more delicate than any other clothing items you own, especially if it has lace, embellishments, or tulle. How you decide to approach the cleaning process could be the difference between ensuring it stays in pristine condition—or gets accidentally destroyed.

Regardless of whether you choose to drop your gown off at the cleaners or tackle the cleaning yourself, we spoke with two experts to understand what you need to know about this all-important task. Below, they break down exactly how to clean a wedding dress. Read on for more.

How to Clean a Wedding Dress on Your Own

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need to hire an expert to clean your gown. “Although some wedding dresses do require professional assistance, the majority of them can be cleaned with four simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer,” says Breyana Wright, founder of Styled by Breyana. “The bathtub is also an honorable mention since you’ll be needing it to soak the dress.”

Below, the experts break down the step-by-step process for cleaning your dress.

Take Note of the Material

Knowing the material of your gown is essential in order to properly clean it. “Various compositions impact how a gown is cleaned, what solvents can be used, and the extent of the cleaning,” says Sarah Ghabbour, the owner of Loved Twice Bridal. “For example, gowns made entirely of polyester are much more durable than gowns made of silk.” Unsure of the fabric of your gown? Head to the designer’s website for detailed information.

Treat the Stains

Remember: Even the cleanest-looking wedding dresses can still hide some stains. “It goes without saying that most wedding dresses are extremely long and touch the floor a lot during the wedding, so stains are inevitable,” Wright says. With such a piece, spot cleaning is key. “As you’re applying the stain remover, you can ensure it isn’t soaking into other layers of the dress by placing a paper towel underneath the stain,” Wright adds. “This will keep the stain from transferring to another layer of the dress as well.” If you don’t have stain remover, you can also use white vinegar or baking soda.

Work in Sections

Start by tackling the dirtiest sections first: your dress’s hemline and train. Fill a bathtub with warm water and a gentle detergent. Once it’s filled, submerge your hem and train into the water. Let it sit for a few hours. When you take it out, if you think it needs additional cleaning, gently scrub at the spots with a toothbrush and detergent. From there, you’ll want to tackle the bodice of your gown. To do so, Wright recommends mixing warm water with a gentle detergent in a spray bottle—and turning the dress inside out. “Once the garment is turned inside out, gently scrub it with an unused toothbrush to clean it,” she says.

Rinse Your Dress

The final step in this process is rinsing your gown. Empty the tub of the dirty water before refilling it with warm water. “Gently swishing the dress around will help to rid the dress of soap, but it’s important to note that you may have to repeat the process a couple of times before all of the soap is gone,” Wright says. “Once all of the soap has been separated from the dress, you can hang it to dry on the curtain rod since the dress will be too heavy for a hanger. Once the dress is completely dry, steam it carefully with a steamer and store it properly.”

How to Get Your Wedding Dress Cleaned Professionally

However, even though you can clean your own wedding dress, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. If your gown is particularly delicate, turn to a professional. “Gowns with details, such as embroideries and lace appliqués, can change the cleaning process, and experienced dry cleaners know how to get it done without experimenting on your gown,” Ghabbour says. Yet before heading to the nearest cleaner, make sure to consider online reviews, as well as the experiences of friends and family members. “If you are unsure of where to go, reach out to the bridal boutique you purchased your gown from as they are likely to have a list of recommended vendors,” she adds.

Some brides also opt to preserve their wedding gown, a process that cleans the dress—and properly stores it so that it remains in good condition. While this may be more expensive that a typical cleaning, it’s a good option to consider if you’d like to guarantee the long-term viability of the piece.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning a Wedding Dress

While you may be aware of the steps you need to follow to properly clean your gown, there are also some common errors to avoid. Here, the experts break those down.

Waiting Too Long

“Do not leave your gown hanging in a bag for weeks or months expecting it to look the way it did when you picked it up,” Ghabbour says. “If you are leaving for your honeymoon immediately after your wedding, assign a trusted family member or friend the task of dropping off your gown to the cleaners. The turnover time can really impact how clean your gown gets, as stains can often set in fabric fibers almost immediately after.”

Using the Wrong Liquid or Solvent

On your wedding day, you may spot a stain on your dress—and quickly turn to your glass of Champagne as an emergency spot cleaner. However, Ghabbour warns against such an approach. “Sugars in drinks can actually make the stain much harder to remove,” she says. “Simply blot out any excess fluid and own the stain. By taking it to the cleaners immediately after the wedding untouched, they will have greater success in removing the stain.”

Not Going to a Professional When Necessary

Some stains are too complex for you to remove yourself. If you’re struggling with a particular spot, it’s best to take it to the cleaners as soon as possible, instead of trying to scrub it out at home.