Bridgestone Cleaners is Brooklyn’s, Manhattan’s, the Bronx’ and Westchester’s only wedding dress preservation company that is certified by the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. If you are wondering how to store a wedding dress, how to preserve a wedding dress, which wedding gown cleaning service to choose, or want to learn more about how our specialized process can clean and preserve your treasure for a lifetime, please read the following wedding gown cleaning FAQs:
How To Preserve A Wedding Gown:
Wedding dresses are made from luxurious, delicate materials, often embellished with beads, embroidery, sequins, lace, or other precious details. Therefore, the very first thing that we do upon arrival in our plant, is to conduct a complete inspection to make sure that nothing needs repair before processing your treasured investment.
How is wedding gown cleaning done?
Our specialists carefully spot-check and hand-clean every dress. Then it is rinsed until it is completely clean with GreenEarth’s 100% eco-friendly solution that dissolves many different kinds of stains before hand-finishing and preserving it in the highest quality packing materials.
What is wedding dress preservation?
Wedding dress preservation is a process of cleaning and storing that protects your dress from yellowing and deteriorating. After making sure your gown is completely cleaned of all stains and food residues, it is carefully packed with acid-free tissue in a museum-quality, acid-free chest. This packaging protects your gown from the air and light that causes unprotected gowns to yellow.
How is your process different from others?
Spills such as soda, wine, and cake (many times caused by a guest and unnoticed by the bride) contain sugar and often dry without a visible mark. Sugar is not dissolved during ordinary dry cleaning and caramelizes over time into ugly brown stains. We take an extra step to be sure all stains, both seen and unseen are removed. We hand spot all stains before and after the gown has been cleaned to most effectively remove stains.
Is there a green preservation process?
The use of any solvent, no matter which kind, generates carbon emissions – even if only from the electricity needed for machinery. We asked Carbonfund.org to calculate the total carbon emissions that are generated by the wedding gown cleaning and preservation process, including the wedding chest itself and what it takes to transport the gown back and forth to your home. Then we donate to Carbonfund.org, which uses our donations to fund worldwide reforestation projects that offset our entire carbon footprint.
How To Store A Wedding Dress:
Once thoroughly cleaned, your bridal dress will be stored in our trademarked MuseumCare™ wedding chest.
How is your wedding chest different from others?
Ordinary boxes and tissue are heavily acidic, which damages fabric as they can cause yellowing and “burn” gowns, leaving dark brown streaks wherever the fabric has touched the box. Some dry cleaners use pH-neutral boxes which are still not safe for your gown.
Will my dress be vacuum sealed?
No. Vacuum sealing can trap moisture and cause mildew. Also, the moisture and electrostatic charge from the plastic can combine to set wrinkles in the gown that no amount of pressing can remove.
Can I see my dress when it is in the wedding chest?
You can see your wedding dress through an oval window made of polypropylene, a chemically inert plastic that will not yellow or damage your gown.
What else can I preserve with my gown?
Such things as a headpiece and veil, petticoat, gloves, garter, and handkerchief may be stored with your gown. There is an additional charge for storing the gown and veil separately. Shoes should not be stored with the gown because fumes from leather and glue may cause damage.
What is the guarantee?
As a member of The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, we offer a 100% international, lifetime guarantee against caramelized sugar stains or yellowing. Once you have had your gown cleaned and preserved at one of their certified locations, you can go into any other association member locations around the world and have your gown pressed for free.
Can I open the wedding chest?
The guarantee is not voided if your wedding chest is opened, but improper handling of the gown may cause damage, and it should be resealed. White gloves will be included in the preservation package for usage each time you intend to open the chest. If your gown is handled excessively or soiled it should be cleaned and preserved again.
Can I purchase wedding gown cleaning and preservation as a wedding gift for a friend?
Absolutely! We highly recommend it. We have gift certificates that can be redeemed by the bride-to-be. As soon as she is ready, she can call or walk into one of our locations to begin the process of preserving her treasured gown.
Protect your cherished investment for years to come, call Bridgestone at 718-222-9958 or click here to arrange a free pick-up of your wedding dress today.