Bridal Gown Services
Selecting the right cleaner….
Bridal Gowns are our passion. Andrew Howard Dry Cleaners specializes in preserving, cleaning, restoring, and caring for your most prized possession. We specialize in delicate fabrics, ornamentation, and trimmed garments. With over 35 years of experience and thousands of bridal gowns cleaned and preserved, we’re equipped to handle the most intricate designs, fabrics, beads, sequins, and crystals. We use only the finest preservation and cleaning methods to ensure your gown will remain preserved for a lifetime.
The process…
Caring for bridal gowns is serious business which is why we always have and will continue to do all our gowns on-site. Each bridal gown is unique, which means the cleaning process must be customized to ensure delicate fabrics and embellishments are cared for properly. We carefully pre-treat stains and soiled areas before we gently clean and rinse them to remove all stains and spotting agents. After cleaning, we reinspect to be certain your gown is ready to be meticulously steamed and hand-finished. After the cleaning and steam finishing processes are complete, your gown is ready for final inspection and preservation. Gently folding and placing your gown into an acid-free museum-quality wedding gown preservation box with generous amounts of acid-free tissue will ensure your gown is protected and preserved for a lifetime.
Benefits of Preservation:
Preservation- Prevents yellowing from the Acidic PH in the air we breathe.
Cleaning- Ensures all stains and soils have been removed which prevents stains from oxidizing over time.
Boxing- Our Museum Quality Bridal Preservation Boxes protects your gown and provides a safe and convenient way to store your gown.
Viewing- Our Preservation Boxes allow you to view your gown. You will have the comfort of seeing your gown and knowing it was meticulously cleaned and preserved.
Memory for a lifetime… treasure your gown as a family heirloom through the course of time.
What can happen to your gown if not properly cleaned and preserved:
Stains left on a gown can oxidize, become harder to remove, and can cause harm to fabrics. Some stains contain acids, like fruit juices and wine, which over time, can be corrosive and damage fabrics. The biggest culprits are stains such as perspiration, perfume, makeup, and oils. Left untreated, the areas of your dress that looked perfectly white before putting your gown away will begin to oxidize, causing those areas to yellow. In addition, stains containing food and drink can attract insects which can cause damage if not removed.
With the weight of many wedding gowns, storing your gown on a hanger for a prolonged period of time can eventually stretch and damage the materials. With preservation, your gown will be gently folded to relieve any stress from hanging.
Avoid storing your worn wedding gown for an extended period of time in plastic bags, vacuum-sealed bags or plastic-wrapped containers. Plastic emits fumes that can yellow your bridal gown and trap moisture which causes mold and mildew.