We've compiled a comprehensive glossary for wedding dress cleaning and preservation to help you navigate the terminology associated with preserving your wedding attire. This guide offers insights into the various terms, methods, products, and tools used in the cleaning and preservation of your cherished gown. Whether you’re a bride, a wedding planner, or just curious, understanding these terms will help you make informed decisions about wedding dress preservation.
For a comprehensive overview of the preservation process, explore our Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Preservation.
A
Alkalinity – Every cleaning and preservation product used for wedding dress care has a specific alkalinity level, essential for effective stain removal. It's crucial to match the product's alkalinity with the fabric type to ensure safe and effective cleaning. This balance requires extensive training and expertise.
Archival Textile – An archival textile is a fabric with cultural or historical significance, either to society or to an individual, often preserved for future generations.
B
Bath – Bathing involves immersing a garment in warm or cool water with a detergent to remove stains or discoloration. The soaking time and detergent choice depend on the fabric and level of soiling.
Beading – Beading refers to decorative embellishments on wedding dresses. During cleaning, these can sometimes be removed temporarily to prevent damage.
Bleaching – Traditional bleaching isn't suitable for wedding dresses. Instead, safe oxidizing agents like sodium percarbonate are used to lift stains effectively without harming delicate fabrics.
Blotting – Blotting is a gentle stain removal technique using an absorbent material, like a cloth, to lift stains without rubbing or damaging the fabric.
BonGo® – BonGo® is a commercial stain remover designed for beverage stains, effectively removing fruit juice, tea, coffee, and wine marks.
Bust Form – A bust form helps maintain your dress's shape while stored, preventing creases. These forms come in various sizes, keeping the dress looking pristine over long-term storage.
C
Conditioning Solution – A conditioning solution is a solvent used in fabric treatment. Modern preservation has shifted from harsher chemicals to safer, more efficient alternatives.
Crinoline – Crinoline is a rigid or reinforced undergarment that gives skirts their bell-shaped silhouette, commonly used in wedding dresses.
D
Declared Value – The original purchase price of a wedding dress, essential for determining insurance coverage during shipping and preservation.
Detailing – Decorative elements like crystals and lace on a dress. During preservation, detailing may need repair or replacement.
Display Chest – A storage chest made of lignin-free, acid-free materials with a UV-protected window for viewing. It can also hold other wedding memorabilia.
Dowels – Supportive rods used within the display chest to prevent the dress from shifting.
Drip Dry – Allowing a dress to air dry without mechanical assistance, gentler on delicate fabrics.
Dry Cleaning – A method involving no water; about 25% of gowns, particularly silk ones, undergo dry cleaning.
E
EasyGo® – A biodegradable dry cleaning stain remover used for organic stains like makeup, food, and grease.
Embellishments – Decorative elements added to a dress, such as lace and beading, often requiring special care during preservation.
F
Fabric Rot – Also known as "dry rot," caused by untreated stains that break down organic fibers over time. Irreversible without preservation.
Flushing – Removing cleaning agents from fabric after wet processing, typically by rinsing.
Folex® – A spot stain remover for grease, dirt, and grime, safe for delicate wedding fabrics.
Garment Bag – A cotton protective bag used for temporary dress storage and transport, unsuitable for long-term preservation.
H
Hand Cleaning – A gentle method involving wet cleaning by hand, ensuring thorough removal of stains and yellowing.
Hand Steaming – Carefully removing wrinkles before storage; gentler than machine pressing.
I
Inspection – Examining a dress for stains, yellowing, or missing embellishments before preservation.
K
K4 (SYSTEMK4) – An advanced fabric cleaning system developed by Kreussler, gentle on delicate fabrics and effective on stains.
L
Lignin – An organic compound found in wood that can cause yellowing in fabrics; display chests should be lignin-free.
Leveling Agent – Used after cleaning to prevent water stains on moisture-sensitive textiles.
M
Main Wash – The cleaning phase addressing general soiling and yellowing after spot treatment.
O
Oil Stains – Caused by food or grease, these stains require specific treatments to avoid permanent marks.
Organic Stains – Stains from natural sources like food or dirt; often need specialized treatment.
P
Perchloroethylene – Traditionally used in dry cleaning, though modern alternatives are often preferred for wedding dresses.
Phenolic Yellowing – Discoloration due to a reaction between the dress and certain packaging materials; acid-free storage is essential.
R
Restoration – The process of returning a dress to its original state, often used for older gowns.
RustGo® – A product for removing rust stains from fabric.
S
Spot Clean (Spotting) – Treating specific stains with gentle chemicals to avoid fabric damage.
Shrinkage – The risk of a dress shrinking if dried too quickly after wet cleaning.
T
Tamping – Gently pressing cleaning agents into a stain for removal.
Titanium Sulfate – A chemical used to remove unwanted dye.
V
Viewing Window – A UV-coated window on the preservation chest for viewing without exposing the dress to contaminants.
W
Wet Cleaning** – A method using water and detergents to treat stains and yellowing; suitable for about 75% of gowns.
Y
YellowGo® – YellowGo® is a powerful cleaning solution used to remove organic stains, such as clay and ink residues, from wedding dresses.
Yellowing – Yellowing is the discoloration that occurs in white or ivory wedding dresses over time, often due to environmental factors. This process, known scientifically as "Phenolic Yellowing," results from a reaction between fabric and nitrogen oxides, highlighting the importance of acid-free and UV-protected storage.
Z
Zout® Fels-Naptha – Zout® Fels-Naptha is a potent laundry bar known for removing greasy or oily stains, as well as perspiration. It's commonly used in pre-spotting and spot cleaning for wedding dress preservation.
Understanding the terminology used in wedding dress preservation helps you make informed decisions and trust the process of preserving your gown for the future. At DressPreservation.com, our expert team is dedicated to treating each dress with the utmost care. If you want to learn more or start the preservation journey for your cherished gown, visit us today. Preserve your memories with confidence, knowing your gown is in trusted hands.
