Cleaning a 1952 Vintage Wedding Dress

How to gently clean a vintage wedding dress by hand-washing at home with detergent and chlorine-free bleach. Obviously if you have any doubt about cleaning the fabric type see a specialized dry-cleaner.
Read more about Elise and Britney here: www.elisetonndesigns.com/about...

[@ay6594]

Love the video, it helped me soo much! I was terrified to let someone else touch my grandmas 1955 wedding dress with chemicals, so I followed your method. It came out beautifully!! thank you, I really am thankful for this video as there isn't much online about restoring vintage wedding dresses. Thanks again! :)

[@jais327]

On the final rinse, fill bathtub with cold water, add a cup of silver hair conditioner, mix well then full cover dress for 15 mins or longer, this will help neutralize any yellow tones and soften the texture slight. I’ve done this for years even on my white towels to brighten them

[@loreenabradley]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I bought a vintage dress at a thrift store for under $10 that I plan on wearing as my wedding dress. I have no idea the age of it but it is definitely yellowed with time. I wasn't sure how I'd get the yellow out but I'm gonna try this!! Thank you so much for posting this

[@shealeyo2377]

This is so helpful! I found my grandmother's wedding dress from 1953 and it has definitely yellowed over time!

[@terryjanisch905]

I’ll be doing this next winter. Making my granddaughter first communion dress out of my wedding gown. I had it preserved from Marshall fields but there are noted stains all over the front of the dress. Will definitely be doing this.

[@SyringaRJK]

your voice is so quiet & the music overwhelmingly loud

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Agreed, should have turned the music down! Did this two years ago so a lot of learning on my part has been done since. Unfortunately I can't edit the audio without turning down the voiceover.

[@Timetravel1111]

SyringaRJK cool... it’s a way to get us to pay attention. I do love the vintage 1940s like big band.

[@kellylake6640]

I have found through a lot of different concoctions that my best solution for getting aging yellowing out of vintsge clothes is a mixture of both the oxi clean liquid whitner, the reg oxi clean stain removing powder, putting both into warm water to mix thoroughly then a bit of dawn dish detergent or dawn clear if you like, then I just mix all 3 together well with about 2 gallons of warm water and once mixed well I let it soak a few hours 1 or 2 depending on the level of yellowing then I gently move the item around to remove the yellowish and rince then soak with luke warm water a few times. All in all mine rake up to 24 hours too. Pretty much the same process but the dawn really helps get that extra dirt and yellowing out. Also this is NOT good for colors! Just whites and really light colors like ivory, white, etc..

[@dozywife07]

Thank you so much for showing this. I once owned a flowershop and I started renting tuxes and sending gowns in to be "preserved", this was not inexpensive but I couldn't get myself to charge what larger town places charged so I really didn't make anything offering this service. Well, one of my very good customers came in to show me that something happened and it became unsealed. To both our eyes was her dress completely filthy like when I sent it in as it was an outdoor wedding and you know the shoes don't last long or get smart and wear white flip flops or Converse like shoes. No one sees them so who cares. Right? But the dress literally had nothing done to it! So I refunded her money and reached out to other shops that offered this service of sending them off to be cleaned and preserved. Recently, our storage was invaded by raccoons and it was like someone just opened everything up and dumped it out. The bottom of my dress was super filthy as we got married at a cute chapel, we'd both done the over the top wedding before and this way whoever wanted to come (we're in Illinois but from AZ, so it was just a 4 hr drive. It was like a big wedding but without tons of expense for everyone else. We got vip at a high end club and drinks were spilled and employees would come running with cloths and holding up my dress. It was pretty cool feeling so special. But then at 4am lots of bottle service and decided we would walk from the Stratosphere to the no longer existing, Riviera where we were staying so basically the entire length of the strip barefoot, so it was horrifying when we woke up. I'm going to give it a try as it wasn't physically damaged by those little boogers that destroyed everything in storage it's just more dirty but not torn. I'm terminally ill, so I want to get it as clean as it can be to give to our daughter in a large shadowbox my husband is going to make so the entire dress can be seen and we will seal it with gorilla glue to help avoid discoloration as much as possible. Wish me luck!! 🤞

[@rachaelarrington7844]

Thank you SO much for this video!!! There is almost no info online about whiting a yellowed wedding dress except to take it to a cleaners. And that is not cheep! Thank you for sharing your knowledge :)

[@meiraloraduncan8953]

Wow I wish I had found you back before I tried to work on my mom 's wedding gown. It had been "heirloom preserved ". And stored in her parents home for 42 years in Florida. When she brought it home all my sisters and I wanted to see it as we had only seen a few pictures. When it was opened the smell of chemicals about killed us. Needless to say it was packaged back up and stored in her closet. About 2-3 years ago my Dad gave it to me so I could make keepsakes for my siblings. I was working with a group of talented ladies who turned wedding gowns into gowns. Bonnets and wraps that are used for infants who are born to soon or are in the NICU and don't make it home. So I followed their advice for cleaning it. One thing they use is a mixture of vodka and vinegar which helps get rid of oders. Then I mixed warm water and oxy clean and dreft. I put the gown in this solution (which I had in a large container) and let it soak. I would come back every 5-10 minutes and gently move it around. The water changed like yours did so I rinsed it and added clean solution and repeated the process again. I wish I had never touched it. This was a handmade custom silk and lace gown from 1950. When I opened the box the lace and veil crumbled into crumbs in the box. That should have told me to stop. (This was before I had touched anything). Well when I went to start rinsing it for the last time the material started shredding. I freaked out and was crying. I gently tried to lay out on a table in the laundry room to dry and see if I could salvage anything. I dried into stiff pieces that would shred when moved or touched. The texture of the fabric changed. I still have a few pieces,but I really can't do anything with it,so they sit wrapped up in acid free tissue paper. Heartbroken and devastated I had to tell my sisters... not a fun time. 😭😭

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Sounds like the original method of preserving had an adverse effect. Being a natural material like silk probably worsened the situation as well. I am so sorry this happened to you, but it will serve as a word to the wise for sure. I have a client currently you had her Grandmother's dress destroyed due to flood damage and I'm working with her to create a replica of sorts. Thanks again for watching and sharing even though it's painful.

[@pennyposh]

Never wash silk.

[@sharonkirby7074]

Thank you. I am needing to do this with a 107 year old christening gown. My mil's wedding gown is also needing a better cleaning than I have been able to do and hope that this will work on something that has been washed with other cleaners in the past.

[@justinedraper2010]

Thank you for your well-detailed vid sharing of this very helpful.

[@suz0000]

Beautiful dress!

[@laurakirk3940]

I’m remaking my bridal veil from 1973, (what 45 years ago? YIKES) for my baby (she’s 27, last child) getting married May 18th this year. The veil is quite IVORY from age. I do not remember it being THAT ivory. Her dress is a slight blush with a very pale ivory trim. So....... I’m going to try the clorax soak and hope for the best. Like it will bleach it but not too much. I told her that I’ll have it done in plenty of time before the wedding so she can buy another if I fail or she hates this one. Thank so much for you great video. Good luck, best wishes and God bless!!!!!!

[@jais327]

How did it go?

[@wendellmonster6179]

I was looking for some tips and tricks to get my christening gown which is over 64 years old ready for my granddaughters christening in October. Thank you

[@Timetravel1111]

Then the clarification! Whew!

[@Timetravel1111]

I have a true vintage white dress and it had flowers so I mainly want to clean the armpits right away after wearing today.

[@D0llbabyAngel]

Came out so beautiful luv :)

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Starlee Midnight thanks so much!

[@tigress63]

Britney, I knew I loved your channel from when I saw you do the invisable lace - and to find out you're also Canadian too! Love it! To show so much respect for your grandmother to name your company after her. Bravo!! I'm wondering if Borax would have perhaps been better for getting it whiter. Borax and Oxiclean are similar chemically as they are both in the sodium family and I think they work by absorbing oxygen ( basically absorbing water molecules and coverting to hydrogen peroxide - which bleaches) You may have to have a chemist confirm it....I think Borax is slightly stronger and is known to be an effective whitening agent. anyhow - love your channel!

[@ThreadoraGowns]

tigress63 thank you so much! Borax is stronger, I’d maybe give it a try on something not as delicate with lace.

[@livinglife8333]

Non chlorine bleach works well also.

[@nicolefrederick4918]

Great video! Very informative! I have a 1950s wedding dress I'm trying to clean, it's a silk and satin blend, but the original color is ivory, so I can't bleach it. It has a few very minor stains smaller than my fingernail but one large coffee/tea stain on the shoulder and some perspiration stains. I was advised to soak it in cold water with some borax so soften the stains until I can rub them out. I was told warm water would dissolve the fabric. It's been sitting in water for over a day and I change the water every 12 hours. I was thinking of using a tad bit of Oxiclean to speed the process, do you think that would lighten the dress? Err. Would you suggest me using a spot treatment?

[@ThreadoraGowns]

I haven't used oxyclean on silk or silk satin. You can test it on an inconspicuous stain with a spray and see the result. I do this for spot cleaning before the tub. Cold water is safest yes. You can also try a product called Restoration, I hear it works well: www.amazon.com/Engleside-Products-Restoration-Hypoallergenic-Delicate/dp/B002ISCPD2

[@bettyb1313]

My first grandson was born today i found his father's christening gown it's really yellow in some spots will this work for cleaning a 1995 silk satin cotton blend?

[@ThePHYL]

Oh my gosh I think I lost hearing in my right ear.....

[@cindyharrison9010]

great advice but that loud music...omg

[@Analyn100]

can you do this with a. dress that has "bling" on it?

[@JamieYAYme]

Take the zipper out? How on Earth can you take zippers or hooks out/off? I'm really curious, this would be so convenient with my little girls clothes as they always catch in the washing machine. Very beautiful dress btw! Thanks for the help. I'm actually just looking for a gentle way to wash my toddlers Lacy dresses so thank you! I'll try this method out with the gentlest soap I have.

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Jamie Yayme hey! I only took the zipper out because it’s metal and will rust. Nowadays they are mostly plastic. I had to stitch the zipper back in afterwards. Glad it helped!

[@edenrose6387]

Hi! I recently inherited a ball gown that I would like to wear to my senior prom, it has a full tulle skirt that has become gray/yellow but the top is completely beaded with false pearls, would I still be able to do this with the beading?

[@ThreadoraGowns]

eden rose I would inspect them closely and make sure they aren’t metal that’s been coated. Hopefully they are plastic and you should be okay just to soak, barely wringing or disturbing the pearls so they don’t come off. Of course if you are uneasy about any of this take it to a professional dry cleaner.

[@suzyhendrix]

How would you clean something that has a lot of metal parts like eyelets and steel bones?

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Unfortunately anything metal has to be removed, water can cause rusting which is not removable. Better safe than than sorry.

[@sophiemariedonohoe941]

Elise Tonn Designs true

[@caradegroft6973]

How would you remove the zipper? I'm terrified or ruining it! And my dress has some brown spots, how would I clean that?

[@adriananoelle4699]

Hi! Thank you for the wonderful video! However, I must ask; can I use the same method on my mothers’ Monique Lhuillier gown from 2000? It is 100% Silk Charmeuse, silk lining and tulle. I don’t trust dry cleaners with such treasured piece. Thank you.

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Adriana Noelle I wouldn’t use it on silk. You should be able to find a specialized dry cleaner and the dress isn’t that old, does it have stains? Was it not cleaned originally and stored properly. If so you might not even need to clean it.

[@adriananoelle4699]

Elise Tonn Designs I did find a few, but again, I’m not too comfortable sending it or dropping it off anywhere else. The gown was immediately stored after the wedding, and it honestly looks brand new, but the hem is just so horrible! Luckily, the bodice is clear, minus the lining.

[@thuymojimakeup7894]

What are the 2 powders that you used to soak the dress? the result is pretty amazing :)

[@ThreadoraGowns]

+Thuy Moji Makeup Thanks for watching! I used the chlorine free oxyclean as a brightener and then a gentle powder detergent called Ivory Snow. Just have to be careful with how much you use, less is more! Keep repeating until your satisfied with the colour.

[@thuymojimakeup7894]

+Elise Tonn Designs thank you :)

[@karendonahue5393]

Elise Tonn Designs

[@cherry817]

Is this satin? I have a vintage ballerina dress and I'm not sure how to wash it. It has no tags but I'm pretty sure the top is satin and the bottom tulle with a satin lining.

[@karenthauer241]

I have a dress from 1948, never preserved, would it b safe procedure to clean

[@alayjahjones1800]

It looks like it did before but just more

[@lyanncarrero4517]

when are you posting part 2?:D

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Hi Lyan, part 2 is repairing and can be seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o16qZGhvpZ57gJo Thanks for commenting.

[@sablejean4564]

Can you restore my Grandmothers 1954 wedding dress? Its discolored and stained and I'm terrified to give it to anyone to clean it. I've been told the yellow is impossible to get out... but you got yours out, which makes me skeptical on these cleaners knowledge of cleaning vintage dresses.

[@sablejean4564]

I'm from Alberta and there aren't any restoration specialists in Edmonton. Sos! You can email me at [e-mail] I could really, REALLY use your help. My wedding is next summer and I'd love nothing more than to have my Grandmothers dress back to its original color.

[@cadenmiller4808]

sable jean what is the dress made of?

[@moorelivinwithxbeautyy]

what is in the spray solution at the beginning of the video? my grandmothers wedding dress is kinda yellow too and I want to wear it for my wedding!

[@ThreadoraGowns]

+tyjean davis it's water, mild laundry detergent and some oxi-clean. I sprayed it and gently rubbed it in to pretreat some stains. What really gets it whiter is the long soak in the tub. Overnight if you have to!

[@hotcris3]

+Elise Tonn Designs which mild detergent?

[@ThreadoraGowns]

I used powder Ivory Snow. But there's others like Woolite or Tide Free and Gentle.

[@claireuniuquebeautyxox8342]

Elise Tonn Designs have u got any tips on to getting discolouration from any sort of beading on a Maggie sottero wedding dress?

[@cheryldigital]

So your process did not weaken or damage the lace parts of the dress? I want to do this with my mom’s dress but I’m worried about the lace falling apart

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Cheryl Hebert you have to start with something in good shape. With mine the lace was intact with no rips. Also if your worried don't squeeze or twist when it's soaking, barely touch it. Do lots of draining and refilling.

[@samanthawilson8366]

I cannot tell the material of this dress, will this method work for any dress material? Also, you mention to take out anything metal, but do you think beading from embroidery work would cause any issues? The bodice of my grandmother's dress from around the same era is entirely embroidered with a beaded pattern and is the most yellow thing I've ever seen! But I'd love to use it as my wedding dress in the future..

[@ThreadoraGowns]

The beading should be fine, you would notice rust if there was any metal. As long as the material is synthetic (polyester) you’re good. Silk is a definite no-no with this.

[@Cleanburrito]

I have no way to remove my zipper! My gown is slightly yellow due to old age, but i dont want to not be able to zip. Solutions??

[@catbee1452]

Use a seam ripper tool and gently cut the zipper seams. You'll have to bring it to a seamstress to sew it back in once you are finished restoring it.

[@tundedioszegi7680]

i actually liked the yellowish tint better.

[@silviamagadan4770]

2019????

[@mrgrtd8447]

what is dry "L" spray? why didn't you show the bottle? does it remove mildew? can barley hear you over the soundtrack ...

[@ThreadoraGowns]

It was called Dryell, I believe Woolite has bought it out. It’s a stain pretreat for dry cleaning clothes. Sorry, this video was a long time ago!

[@patriciabilinkas3911]

What’s with that music?

[@ronniegross9428]

does this cleaning process include 100% silk jackets

[@ThreadoraGowns]

No, I wouldn't recommend doing it on silk.

[@Timetravel1111]

Pause at 6:24!! Ohh la la the white beaty

[@user-uo8vb4jh3k]

Music too loud

[@rubywalden9991]

The music is so loud compared to the volume of the speaking. It's hard to watch.

[@dr.shequettagreen-pratt9641]

God yes

[@angellekomp1050]

Is this a silk gown?

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Angelle Komp no, satin and lace.

[@linseycarducci9180]

I love this video but you are very soft voice and the music when not talking goes loud so I had to keep changing my volumes.

[@EJtheArtist]

Cute, that's my name!

[@therusfamily1196]

Did you wash and rinse in tepid or cold water please? I have a 1944 satin wedding gown to clean 😊

[@ThreadoraGowns]

Cold water!

[@Timetravel1111]

2 min she said ... before it goes in the wash. I’m like big eyes.. really?!!!

[@kevinschwarz1808]

The sound sucks. Blasted by music then extremely quiet verbal instructions.

[@belledecaucase]

Please wear gloves!

[@MapleBB]

Belle De Caucase why should she wear gloves? She isn't using any toxic chemicals, just gentle detergent. Relax