Once your wedding is over you may be among the many brides who struggle with the decision of what to do with their wedding gown because it represents your special day. Many brides like to treasure the memories of their wedding day by keeping their wedding dress as a memento. That's why it is important to understand the proper methods of cleaning and storing your gown so it can last for centuries to come.

Since new stains are not always visible to your eye you should I have your gown cleaned even if it looks clean.

It doesn't matter if you decide to keep your gown, donate it or sell it, it's important to have it cleaned and/or preserved as soon as possible which will help to maintain its beauty and value. Common stains include sugar stains from cake icing, wine, champagne or even carbonated soft drinks. They should be removed immediately or they will leave unsightly brown spots/stains if they are not thoroughly removed from the fabric in a timely manner. Perspiration, deodorant, hairspray, perfumes, body lotions and cosmetics can also cause stains and discoloration.

Most of these stains are not readily visible to the naked eye but can cause damage to the fabric of the gown. If these stains are left untreated they can be difficult or impossible to remove. Therefore it is recommended you have your gown cleaned and/or preserved by a reputable professional company as soon as possible after your wedding.

The dry cleaning process provides basic cleaning of obvious dirt and stains. It does not protect against the long term yellowing, fabric deterioration, or the invisible stains that can surface over time and ruin your wedding gown.

It's important they you find a reputable and experienced preservation company. Ask questions about their process. Make sure it includes carefully examining your gown under special lighting and hand treat all stains with gentle yet effective chemicals. They should also treat the fabric against yellowing and other discolorations with a special anti-sugar treatment. Proper cleaning and preservation will permanently remove both the visible and invisible stains. The process will protect the fabric from deterioration, so your gown will look just as beautiful as the day of your wedding.

If you are one of the brides who has gotten busy with your new life and forget about the proper care of tyour gown - especially if you are undecided, the best decision is to have your wedding gown professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible.

Quality wedding dress preservation by a reputable company doesn't have to be expensive. Check pricing, some companies will charge upwards of $400 for what they call "museum quality preservation", but you can get the same high quality for a lot less if you do your homework. Find an authorized dealer for The Wedding Gown Preservation Company (in business since 1913 specializing in wedding gowns) and offers packages starting at $169. Most dry cleaners will charge that much, if not more, for just basic dry cleaning alone.

While waiting to have your wedding gown sent in to be preserved it is best to keep it in a dark, dry place, folded or rolled in a clean white sheet. Hanging your gown is not recommended because it can cause stress to the fabric and create distortion in the shoulders or hanging straps area. Do not store your dress in a plastic garment bag. Plastic can emit gases that will tend to yellow the fabric.

Since most wedding dress preservation companies will take special care in placing your gown on a bust form and place tissue in the gown to hold its shape, as well as pins to hold the gown in place, most people prefer to leave the gown in place unless they are selling, reusing or donating it.