Product Care Apparel

Tips for Long-Term Preservation

You can help preserve your dress/clothing by avoiding excessive handling. That will help to prevent damage or stains from being transferred to the clothing. You should also avoid storing the clothing in a place with high humidity levels. That will help to prevent Mold and other damage from forming.

Below are only guidelines for caring for your dresses/clothing made from the materials below and variations will apply to some fabrics. 

If in doubt, it is best to take it to a professional cleaner, especially for delicate fabrics.

 

BANDAGE / BODYCON

Many bandage dresses are made of a blended material containing a mix of spandex, rayon, and nylon. 

Bodycon dresses are usually made of a stretchy material like Spandex or Lycra. They are designed to be stretchy and fit snugly.

  • Handwash or Delicate Cycle with a Mild Detergent - Rayon, nylon, Lycra, and spandex fabrics are often sensitive to heat and agitation. Handwashing in cold water with a gentle detergent is typically the safest option. 
  • Avoid Hot Water - Hot water can cause these fabrics to shrink or lose their shape.
  • Turn Inside Out – Turn the dress inside out before washing to reduce friction and help preserve the color and finish. 
  • Avoid Wrinkling - Hang the dress to dry or lay it flat on a clean towel to air dry. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can cause wrinkles or misshape the garment. 
  • Steam or Low Iron - If ironing is necessary, use a low heat setting and iron the garment inside out to prevent damage to the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a steamer to remove wrinkles without direct contact with the fabric. 
  • Store Properly - Hang dresses made from this material on padded or wide hangers to maintain their shape.  Avoid hanging them in direct sunlight or near heat sources to prevent fading or damage. 
  • Avoid Abrasive Surfaces - Be cautious when wearing or storing these dresses around rough surfaces or Velcro, as they can snag or pull delicate fibres. 
  • Handle with Care - When putting on or taking off the dress, handle it gently to avoid stretching or tearing the fabric, especially around the areas with seams or delicate embellishments. 

 

MESH / SATIN 

Dresses made of mesh fabric require special care to maintain their delicate appearance and structural integrity.  Mesh is usually made from polyester, nylon, or spandex. 

Satin dresses are known for their luxurious sheen and delicate texture, requiring special care to maintain their appearance and feel. Satin is a woven fabric made from polyester, rayon (also known as viscose) nylon, or even silk fibers. 

  • Handwash or Use a Delicate Cycle with a Mild Detergent – Mesh and Satin fabric is typically delicate and can easily become damaged in a washing machine. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach, as they can damage satin’s sheen and the fibers of the mesh fabric. Handwashing is often the safest option. If you choose to use a washing machine, select the delicate cycle with cold water and use the satin or mesh dress in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging or tangling with other garments. 
  • SATIN FABRIC– Spot Clean when Possible – If the dress has minor stains or spots, spot cleaning is often sufficient. Use a gentle detergent or stain remover specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. 
  • Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the satin or mesh dress thoroughly with cold water to remove all traces of detergent.
  • Avoid Wrinkling – Gently squeeze out excess water from the lace or mesh dress without wringing or twisting it, as this can damage the delicate fabric. Lay the dress flat on a clean towel and roll it up to absorb more water. Then, reshape the dress and lay it flat to air dry. 
  • Avoid Direct Heat – Mesh and satin fabric can be sensitive to heat, so avoid using a dryer or direct sunlight to dry the dress. Satin can easily lose its luster when exposed to high temperatures. For mesh and satin let it air dry in a cool, well-ventilated area away from direct heat sources. 
  • Steam Carefully – If the mesh or satin becomes wrinkled, use a garment steamer on the lowest setting to gently remove wrinkles. For mesh fabric, alternatively, you can hang the dress in the bathroom while taking a hot shower to allow the steam to naturally release the wrinkles. 
  • Store Properly – Store mesh and satin dresses in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Hanging them on padded or wide hangers can help maintain their shape. 
  • Handle with Care – When wearing or handling the dress, be mindful or rough surfaces or sharp objects that can snag or tear the delicate mesh or satin fabric. Avoid wearing Jewelry or accessories that could catch on the fabric. 

 

SEQUIN & LACE

Caring for sequins and/or lace requires special attention. 

Sequins – Due to the delicate nature of the sequins and the often-intricate construction of the garment, sequin dresses may have unique care requirements based on the type of sequins and the base fabric.

Lace is also a delicate fabric that also needs extra care.  Originally linen, silk, gold, or silver threads were used. Now lace is often made with cotton thread.

    • Handwash Gently in Cold Water with Gentle Detergent – Take care not to rub or scrub the sequins or lace too vigorously.  Sequin and lace dresses are generally not suitable for machine washing, as the agitation can damage the sequins/lace and the fabric. 
    • Spot Clean when Possible – If the dress only has minor stains or spots, spot cleaning is often sufficient. Use a mild detergent or a stain remover specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. 
    • Turn Inside Out: Turn the dress inside out before washing to protect the delicate sequins and/or lace from friction and abrasion. 
    • Avoid Soaking – Limit the time the dress spends submerged in water to avoid damaging the sequins or causing them to lose their luster and for lace to avoid stretching or distorting the lace fabric. Quickly rinse the dress (lace or sequins) in cold water to remove all traces of detergent. 
    • Air Dry Flat – Lay the lace/sequins dress flat on a clean towel to air dry. Avoid hanging to dry, as the weight of the wet fabric can cause stretching and distortion. Gently reshape the dress if necessary while it’s damp.
    • Avoid Direct Heat – Do not tumble dry or expose sequin dresses to direct heat sources such as radiators or sunlight, as this can cause the sequins to melt, warp, or lose their color. Avoid Lace to direct heat as this can damage the delicate lace fibres and cause them to become brittle or break. 
    • Handle with Care – When wearing or handling the dress, be mindful of rough surfaces or sharp objects that can snag or damage the delicate lace and pull it loose. For sequins avoid sitting on tough or abrasive surfaces that could catch the sequins and pull them loose. 
    • Store Properly – Store sequin and lace dresses in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Ideally, hang them in a garment bag to protect them from dust and prevent lace and sequins from snagging on other clothing.
    • Steam Carefully – If the lace/sequins dresses become wrinkled, use a garment steamer on the lowest setting to gently remove wrinkles. Hold the steamer several inches away from the fabric to avoid damaging the delicate lace fibers and/or sequins. 
    • Dry Cleaning – An option is to take it to a specialist dry cleaner.