Gown preservation information

Hi all, found the following during a search. Thought it might be helpful to us all.
By the way, I read in the book 'Bridal Bargans' that you can clean you dress yourself! I am going to try this, this week. I'll let you know how it goes! Wish me luck!

The Preservation Station™
Museum Quality Archival Storage Supplies and Free Consulting

Wedding Gown Preservation Kit - $24.95

Here is a step-by-step guide to safely storing away wedding gowns, evening gowns, costumes and heirloom apparel.

1. Have the gown professionally cleaned. You do not want the lignin-containing cardboard box with an acetate viewing window they will offer. The window will give off acetic acid fumes over time - and light is harmful to fibers and will cause yellowing. Take the gown to a reputable drycleaner. Be sure and tell the drycleaner of any spills you know of and their location so that they can properly treat them.

2. Purchase a Rubbermaid® or Sterilite® box (underbed or otherwise) large enough to hold the garment. The storage boxes are made of cast polypropylene - which is an inert material used for archival application. Other brands may be safe as well - look for the #5 within the recycling code triangle or the letters 'PP'. If you prefer - we can supply you with a 30 X 18 X 6 inch archival board box for $35 plus actual UPS oversize shipping. E-mail if you would like a shipping quote - but Rubbermaid and Sterilite® are fine.

3. Wash and dry your hands before handing garment - no lotion, creams, etc. You may also wear white cotton gloves if you like. Either will help prevent transfer of acid oils from skin to garment. Remove any metal buttons or ornaments from the gown and store in an archival sleeve in the bottom of the box. If these are left on the gown, they may corrode and cause staining. Be sure and include a written reminder of where the buttons, etc. belong on the garment.

4. Cover a large area with a clean white sheet or muslin and cover the sheet with a layer of acid and lignin free tissue. If your gown has any real silk (made by silkworms) or wool content - any leather decorative features or contains any material of animal origin at all - fur or feathers, for instance - you MUST use nonbuffered tissue. If the gown is (as 99% of modern gowns are) polyester satin or other man-made fiber - or cotton or linen or a blend, you may use buffered tissue - which will give longer-lasting protection against acid migration. In either case, use archival tissue - gift and drycleaner grade tissue are sometimes acid free, but they may not be lignin free. To be sure - use tissue produced for archival applications.

5. Lay the garment out face down on the tissue and inspect carefully to be sure that it is clean and all metal ornaments and buttons have been removed.

6. Lightly stuff the sleeves and bodice with archival tissue.

7. Beginning on one side and working around the gown, fold to the center while interleaving each fold with a sheet or 2 of lightly crumpled acid free tissue. The tissue will cushion the folds a bit to help prevent creasing and protect seams. Continue around the gown - folding and interleaving as you go, until you have the gown ready to fit into the storage box.

8. Turn the gown over and place the gown in the box .

9. If you live in an area where insects are a concern - add a sachet or 2 of Herbal Closet Blend™ to repel moths, carpet beetles, silverfish and other insect pests. Place the sachet in a corner behind some tissue so it will not actually touch the gown. In very humid areas, you may also wish to add silica gel desiccant to guard against moisture damage.

10. Place a copy of your wedding invitation (playbill, graduation announcement, prom invitation, baby announcement, etc.) in the box and with it a few lines telling a bit about the wedding - or prom - or christening. Don't be afraid to mention things that went 'not according to plan' - you'll be glad you did in years to come. Any photos and papers included should be in an archival sleeve or envelope so as not to come in direct content with the garment.

11. Choose your storage spot carefully - the ideal spot is on a shelf in an interior closet. External walls can mean extreme temperature and humidity swings - which should be avoided due to the deteriorating effect of temperature swings on fiber (expansion and contraction) and the danger of mold and mildew growth caused by condensation. For this reason (and because of pests) the attic, the garage and the basement are all poor choices for storage. Make sure the closet (or other storage areas) is not near any plumbing pipes - the better to avoid the possibility of damage from a leak or a burst pipe. Normal household temperature and humidity are comfortable for you - and for your stored garments.

12. Finally - inspect the gown or garment at least once a year. This will give early warning of any developing trouble while corrective measures are possible. When refolding the gown - do so along slightly different lines to minimize and equalize stress to fabric and seams. Make sure the item is covered by your insurance policy, as well.

Garment Preservation Pack™---buffered---$24.95 Add to Cart!
Garment Preservation Pack™---nonbuffered---$24.95 Add to Cart!

Each Preservation Pack Includes:

20 large sheets of buffered or nonbuffered acid and lignin free tissue paper
10 sheets of archival support tissue - for sleeves, bodice and veil cap
muslin drawstring sachet of Herbal Closet Blend™
one pair Cotton Conservator's Gloves
5 archival sleeves - for accessories, photos, invitation, newspaper announcement
5 - 2 gram desiccant pillows for archival sleeves
5 precut white and champagne satin ribbon ties
complete care and storage guidelines and instructions
elegant vellum paper provenance sheet with tips and suggestions
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Re: Gown preservation information

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