Prom is over and here you are looking at a formal dress made of special fabrics and you have no idea how to take care of it. If your dress is dry clean only and has any stains, take it to the dry cleaners right away.
If your dress is made of washable fabric, read the garment’s care label and follow the instructions on the label. If you have gotten a stain on your dress and the garment is washable, pretreat the stain as soon as possible. Never iron a stained area or dry the garment until the entire stain is removed, as this could cause the stain to set. Always test stain removers on a hidden area of the garment before using it on a prominent area. When removing a stain, always blot the area dry with a clean white towel. Use a mild cleanser on any stains first, and if necessary, use other stain removal products. If you need to rub the area, do so from the back of the fabric rather than the front. Be sure to rinse any stain remover from the dress before you wash it. If your dress is stain-free, you can clean the underarm areas to remove any deodorant residue instead of washing the entire dress.
If you feel your dress needs to be fully washed or if your prom dress is beaded or embellished with sequins, it’s best to hand wash with a mild cleanser. Fill a container large enough to hold the dress. If you don’t have a big enough container you can use your bathtub. Add enough mild cleanser to give the water a little suds. Place the gown in the soapy water and dip it in and out, shaking gently with each movement. Pay special attention to underarm areas making sure to remove any sweat or deodorant residue. Change to clear water and rinse in the same way. Experts recommend rolling the dress in white towels to remove excess water. Spread the robe out and shape it, then let it dry completely.
To store the dress, it is best to fold it with tissue paper between the folds in a nice sturdy box. If you choose to hang the dress, never hang it by the straps as this can distort the shape of your dress. Fold the back of the waist area over the hanger and store it in a garment bag. When you hang it in your closet, make sure it’s not tucked in between other clothes because this will cause wrinkles that can be very difficult to remove later.