Preservation Information
There are several factors that will contribute to the aging and deterioration of your gown.
Yellowing
There are certain fabrics that do yellow a little as they get older. Silk and nylon, in particular, have a tendency to do so. However, the greatest cause of yellowing wedding gowns is leaving the dress in the plastic bag that the dress came with or a drycleaner's bag. Plastic gives off fumes that actually cause yellowing. Proper preservation of any textile garment depends on an acid-free, climate-controlled environment. For some fabrics, even with proper care, will yellow more than others and it may be impossible to prevent all yellowing.
As a rule, silk fabric yellows more than synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, rayon and acetate. Nylon, which is a synthetic, also has a tendency to yellow more than other synthetic fabrics. Gowns that can be wet cleaned have an advantage, in that if they do yellow, they may be able to be whitened for future use with a fabric whitener.
Preserving your gown in an acid-free environment is your best protection against yellowing. Padding your gown with acid-free tissue will help to prevent acid migration.
Keeping your gown in the best overall condition should be the main concern in preserving your bridal gown.
Remove it from the plastic bag and have it cleaned and preserved in an acid-free environment.
Permanent creasing
Flat storage is recommended for garments when possible. However, because of the size and dimensions of wedding gowns, it is often impractical. Some compromise must be made, either by folding or hanging the gown.
To help prevent permanent creasing, boxed gowns should be refolded every 2 - 3 years. (Cotton gloves should always be worn when handling preserved gowns.)
Bagged gowns that are hung in a closet are not at risk for permanent creasing, and will not need to be handled periodically.
Mildew and mould
To protect your gown from mildew and mould growth, it is advisable to keep your gown in a breathable environment. When fabrics can breathe, the humidity level remains constant around the garment as excess moisture dissipates into the air. The gown is at risk for mildew and mould growth if moisture can condense inside a box or any container.
Light and dust
Keeping your gown covered, will protect it from the damage caused by light and dust.