Frequently Asked Questions

Avoid these common mistakes when storing your gown

Don't hang a wedding gown over a prolonged period because it will stretch and sag.
Don't seal fragile gowns in plastic bags. Plastic attracts moisture but cannot absorb it. This moisture will attack your gown, promoting mildew and fabric rot.
Don't expose gowns to strong light or open air. Dust, air, and sunlight cause deterioration.
Give your wedding gown and other cherished heirlooms a life-giving treat that can preserve your heirlooms for future generations. Entrust them to us for the ultimate in care - cleaning, treating and protective packaging.
Our unique process protects fabrics from carmelization of sugar stains and our unique service protects fabrics from light, dust, bacteria, moths, and other airborne pollutants that destroy its loveliness and its true color.

Is your wedding gown really clean?

We strongly recommend that you personally inspect your gown prior to its being placed in the chest. Only then can you be absolutely certain that your gown is really clean.

Why would a person want to preserve a wedding gown?

A wedding gown is the most important dress a lady will ever purchase or wear during her lifetime. It is preserved in the hope that someday it will be worn again, either to repeat vows taken years earlier or by a future family member.

If I don't want my gown preserved, do I have any other choices?

You have four basic choices after your wedding:

You can do nothing and give the gown away.
You can have it cleaned and pressed only and sell it.
You can do nothing and watch it turn color and possibly disintegrate over the years.
You can have it professionally preserved.

What can I expect if my gown is preserved?

The goal of gown preservation is to insure that today's gown maintains its color and fabric integrity for future generations. There should be no yellowing of the gown and no disintegration of the fabric.

What is Heirlooming?

As it is practiced by most dry cleaners, Heirlooming is nothing more than dry cleaning the gown and sealing it in a box.

What's wrong with that?

Cleaning and sealing is not the same as preserving. If you took a cup of sliced peaches, washed them and put them in a jar with the cap screwed on tight, they would become rotten within a few days. Your wedding gown will probably not rot, but chances are that it will discolor and develop mystery stains.

What is the alternative to Heirlooming?

The only process available that can guarantee a wedding gown will be viable for the next generation is a process called "Museum Care™".

You mention sugar, salt and acid. Why is this important?

Wedding gown spills (usually caused by a guest and not the bride) are typically things like white wine, champagne, clear sugar-based soda and cake icing. These things usually dry clear and cannot be seen, especially if they land on lace or the soft areas around appliques. Dry cleaning alone will not remove these stains. If they can be seen however, any good dry cleaner can remove them. We assume every gown contains sugar, salt and/or acid and we will not take a chance with your gown. We remove it.

Isn't a warranty only as good as the company behind it?

The warranties that we issue are valid and accepted throughout North America. There are presently about 100+ independently owned locations all doing the same exact thing under the same license. Your warranty is valid at all locations. If we go out of business, our license will transfer to another top rated cleaner in the area along with your warranty registration. You have full lifetime protection. For further direction regarding your coverage, please call (800) 501-5005.

Let's assume for a minute that you preserve my gown and in a few years it turns yellow or brown spots appear. What can you do under the warranty to reverse the problem?

The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists was originally founded for the purpose of restoring old family gowns back to their true color so that today's bride can wear yesterday's gown. Through the knowledge we gained in restoring these gowns, we are able to not only deter the aging process but reverse it once it has occurred.

How soon after the wedding should my gown be cleaned and preserved?

The MuseumCare™ preservation process should be done as soon as possible after the wedding, before stains have a chance to set or invisible sugar can carmelize.