Need to clean a prom dress

[paper1225]

I called the bridal shop where the gown was purchased a few years ago, and they do not have any referals.......anyone have ideas? It is a blue chiffon material with beading. We would like to have it cleaned, but do not just want to take it to a cleaners at their mercy-need to know the correct type of cleaning/steaming to ask for.......It does have beading which I would like them to be careful with also......TIA

 

[englishteacha]

It depends on what it's made of. If it's all polyester, you can wash it by hand in the tub or a very large sink. You can find directions online. I've done this with prom/bridesmaid dresses for plays and it's come out fine. Then you have to iron or steam it, usually. If you want to have it dry cleaned, I'd call around to dry cleaners and tell them you have a dress for an event you need cleaned and get a few estimates.

 

[scrapquitler]

There should be a care label inside the dress somewhere (look in the side seam near the waist somewhere) and follow whatever directions it says.

Here is a PDF file to help you decipher the symbols on the care label:
https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/sp519.pdf

Follow whatever instructions the label says, and you can safely clean the dress. If in doubt, go to a drycleaner in your area and they can guide you.

 

[mousebymarriage]

Maybe a dry cleaners that specializes in cleaning/preserving wedding dresses (if they can properly clean a wedding dress -lace, beading etc.) then they should be able to do a prom dress with beading. Call around and ask if they specialize or maybe check the phone book.

 

[clh2]

I would look in the yellow pages, either under dry-cleaning or bridal, and see if there are any listings that say the do bridal dress dry cleaning or preserving.
At least this will give you a short list of who might do this in your area.

Now - I know you don't want this preserved - but they need to be cleaned first!!!

 

[Alesia]

I would trust a reputable dry cleaner that can actually see the dress over strangers on the internet that can't see the dress and only have a basic description to go on, kwim?