Can all the stains on my dress be removed?
Additional Decoration - Are there any risks?
My dress is valuable - Is it fully insured?
Can you clean any dress?
My dress is torn - can you repair it?
Why get my dress cleaned - it isn't really dirty?
What are the main risks when storing my dress?
Should I use a storage box?
Can all the stains on my dress be removed?
Delicate materials require gentle treatment and sometimes this limits our ability to treat ingrained soiling or time-set staining. We will use our experience to choose which solvent and process to use and to recognise where to stop before risk of damage to the dress.
We are often asked about this but it is sometimes impossible to guarantee the removal of every mark and stain from every type of material. In general we advise customers to be extremely wary of any company that profess to do so.
On some fabrics there may be a degree of 'shrinkage' depending on the material and type of cleaning required, however, this is rare. What we will guarantee is that we will always try to achieve the best results possible. In most cases this will indeed be a completely clean wedding dress.
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Additional Decoration - Are there any risks?
There is always some risk in cleaning. Many dress designs involve trimmings, flowers, jewellery, sequins etc.
Before cleaning we will strengthen loose stitching and may completely remove and later replace the larger or more fragile items of decoration. The remaining smaller beads, sequins & attachments cannot be practically removed but will be tested for their suitability for cleaning.
Whilst every care will be taken we cannot accept responsibility for trimmings which are unsuitable for dry cleaning. During the process itself different parts of the dress can come into contact with each other which despite the best preparation. Very occasionally this will result in loss or damage to beads, even marking to the fabric itself. Should this happen we will do our best to replace any lost or damaged trim.
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My dress is valuable - Is it fully insured?
Dresses are automatically insured for loss and damage at 50% of retail value whilst in transit and processing where the cleaning process is found to be at fault. On occasion, we may ask for an ‘Owners Risk’ form to be completed where there is no care label in the dress or the cleaning process advised by the manufacturer is contrary to our knowledge or professional recommendation.
In the extremely rare event where a claim is necessary an independent valuation would be obtained by our insurers.
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Can you clean any dress?
Yes..
We are not limited to only one method of cleaning and can safely clean all dresses, usually regardless of the care label recommendation.
We have a range of special processes available. We also have a choice of several cleaning machines and different solvents to make sure your dress is cleaned correctly.
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My dress is torn - can you repair it?
Yes. We have very skilled tailors who can look to repair the dress. As soon as we receive your dress we will let you know what the best repair solutions are and we will give you a quote for the repair.
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Why get my dress cleaned - it isn't really dirty?
We understand that your wedding dress is precious to you but there are hazards in storing your dress for more than a few months so it is a good idea to take precautions.
Many untreated stains will soon become embedded in the fabric and are likely to cause permanent marks. Some invisible marks & spills will, over time, darken and become very difficult or impossible to remove.
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What are the main risks when storing my dress?
Mildew. When your dress is subject to changes in temperature the moisture in the air condenses causing damp patches. This results in mildew. This is especially likely if the dress is stored in polythene. Oxidisation. Fabric discolouring is similar in effect to oxidation but occurs as a result of using unsuitable packaging materials.
Fading. Unless your dress is kept in dark conditions sunlight will cause areas of the dress to fade. Dust. Over time dust collects and will damage your dress.
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Should I use a storage box?
Once clean your dress needs to be stored away to prevent any damage to the dress over time. Leaving it in polythene in your wardrobe or attic can damage the dress. Our boxes are made from pH neutral materials preventing any yellowing or discoloration.
Unlike plastic coverings, boxes allow the fabric to 'breathe' which eliminates the risk of mildew or oxidation. Boxes protect from exposure to light and dust which will cause uneven marking of the gown over time.
Textile care experts recommend boxing and then storing in a spare room. The attic is not advised as there are regular extremes of temperature.
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