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Your
gown is thoroughly checked for any spots, tears or mishaps before
cleaning. |
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Hand
spotting is done using formulas to remove damaging stains from the fabric. |
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The garment is then cleaned
individually with proper attention not only to the overall gown, but
also to those delicate "problem" areas.
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Once
again, your gown is inspected and then expertly hand pressed.
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We then allow the gown to hang
for 24 hours to eliminate any moisture.
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The
gown is then shaped, a full bust form positioned, sleeves are stuffed, and the
gown, veil, etc., are beautifully placed in a 200 pound test corrugated box
with a special acid-free chamber. |
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Important
Hints for Safe Gown Storage: |
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Never
hang a wedding gown for a prolonged period of time.
The hanger will cause the gown to stretch and sag. |
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Never
seal fragile gowns in plastic bags.
Moisture forms inside the bag and promotes mildew and
fabric rot. |
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Do not expose gowns to strong light or open
air. Dust, dirt and
sunlight cause deterioration of your precious garment.
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Air,
and the bacteria in the air will turn your wedding gown yellow
in a very short time. Be sure to have it professionally cleaned within 60 days of
the wedding.
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| Care and knowledge are the keys to
Santoro’s success in preserving your wedding gown. Wedding
gowns may have different price tags, but all gowns have a large
degree of sentimental value.
We treat each and every gown with the highest degree of
care & concern.
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| FABRIC FACTS -
A wedding gown is one of the most important and cherished articles of clothing selected by a customer. People attempt to preserve wedding gowns for the joy of remembrance and the possibility of passing the gown on for future use to members of the family. The styles of wedding gowns have undergone some fashion changes, but not dramatically. The wedding gown relies on lace and ornamental trimming such as beads, sequins, pearls and droplets to emphasize its uniqueness. The color is traditionally white, but can range from pure-white to beige, or ivory-of-white to ecru. Wedding gown fabric is usually taffeta or satin and, occasionally, velvet or crepe is used. The fibers commonly used for wedding gowns are acetate, polyester, nylon, rayon, cotton and silk. |
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| FABRIC PROBLEMS -
Many wedding gowns are NOT labeled with care instructions, nor are they styled for serviceability. The problems with wedding gowns may be due to aged and oxidized stains that cause yellowing and weakened areas due to improper storage. |
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| It is important to determine how trim has been applied to the gown. Many beads, lace, feathers and other trim may be attached with glue. If the trim has been glued to the gown, the glue should be tested to see if it can withstand the solvents used in cleaning. We apply a generous amount of solvent to a glued area and if the glue softens or becomes tacky, the glue will most likely dissolve in the dry-cleaning procedure, resulting in the loss of the trim. |
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| TRIM -
The trim, itself, should also be tested for resistance to solvent. Many beads contain polystyrene, which is soluble in some solvents. In some cases, only the core of the bead is constructed of polystyrene and testing the beads is not always indicative of the beads’ performance in dry-cleaning. Core beads deteriorate from the center of the core and damage is not always evident with a cursory test. A gown may have many different beads, each requires testing.
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| Sequins should also be tested for
resistances relative to the chosen care process. Many sequins have a metallic or colored coating, which may be
removed when immersed in the solvent.
To test sequins, apply a small amount of solvent to an
inconspicuous area of sequins and rub briskly.
If the sequin color or reflectance is altered by the test, the
sequins will not withstand the effects of solvent.
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| If
a potential problem becomes apparent after an evaluation of all components
of the garment, Santoro’s will call the customer and discuss the
alternatives that may be taken to ensure proper care.
If there are any doubts about the garment’s ability to withstand
the advised care process, it is suggested that a customer consent form be
filled out. This guarantees
that the customer is aware of the risks involved in cleaning the article.
Some problems are unforeseen in cleaning wedding gowns, however,
thorough examination and testing will eliminate most alarming discoveries
of damage after a care process. |
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| PRE-SPOTTING -
All gowns received for cleaning and pressing at Santoro’s are hand-examined by one of our professional fabric care technicians. Every wedding gown is pre-spotted before the initial care process begins. This helps to decrease the amount of agitation necessary to clean the garment during dry-cleaning (or wet-cleaning). Hemlines are usually heavily soiled and require pre-spotting. Pre-spotting is also necessary to remove beverage and food stains that are typically found on a gown |
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| FINISHING - After final inspection, we expertly hand finish each and every wedding gown. The gown is hung to air out and remove any extra moisture from finishing. |
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| PRESERVATION -
After your gown is cleaned, it is carefully prepared for storage in our acid-free preservation chest. |
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| Acid-Free Paper -
Acid-free papers are made without alum. Synthetic sizing, as well as dyes and pigments, which require no acid fixatives, are used. Furthermore, the paper can be treated without alkaline buffering agents, such as calcium carbonate, to neutralize any atmospheric pollution. |
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