cleaning a dress

sMarie

sMarie

Registered Guest
I have a few 50s prom dresses and other dresses I would love to be able to hand wash to avoid cost of dry cleaning. Is there ANY way to wash taffeta?


Any advice will be appreciated! Thank you!
:help:
 
what's the fiber, acetate, rayon, silk?

silk taffeta i wouldn't touch. but i have attempted an acetate taffeta before. bear in mind both acetate and rayon are at their weakest when wet, so this means laying the dress full length in a bathtub, and moving it as little as possible.
 
Honestly, I don't know how to tell the difference between silk taffeta and others!

I'd like to at least get wrinkles out though. Otherwise, the clothing doesn't photograph well.
 
If wrinkling is the basic problem then I agree with Melody. Steaming should remove wrinkles and perk the dress back up. Although I know that taffeta has been washed successfully, I wouldn't try it on a fancy party or prom dress--I'd have it cleaned. Unless you have one that is really bad and you can use it as a test piece.
 
I agree with Anne: I'd dry clean it and if you're going to sell it, just add the cost to the selling price.

Taffeta can be washed, but getting the wrinkles out afterwards can be hard - I find that the fabric just isn't the same. I only wash taffeta when it's a lining or if the garment is otherwise beyond hope.

Nicole
 
Trust these ladies...I learned the hard way and dress never the same after handwashing. Dry cleaning small price to pay to ensure integrity of dress and Nicole is right, add to price of dress. I save my dry cleaning receipts and send along with dresses so that clients know dress was professionally cleaned and that I am not gouging them to recover cost. Might seem like overkill but many buyers have let me know they appreciate the extra step.
 
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