How to Wash Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

Satin bridesmaid dress is a luxurious and beautiful addition to any cloth wardrobe. Its drape and lustrous texture adds a touch of royalty to the ceremony. Therefore, it is important to retain the longevity and beauty of the bridesmaid dress after the wedding.

Washing your satin bridesmaid dress is a bit complicated and demands special attention from you. Especially if your satin bridesmaid dress is embellished and embroidered. This guide will provide you with all of the expert washing tips for your satin bridesmaid dress. Also, walk you through the process of preserving your bridesmaid's dress for future use. But first, let us go over the basics.

What is Satin?

Satin is a form of weave characterized by a soft, smooth, and glossy face side. With a duller surface on the opposite side of the fabric. Mostly created out of silk, this fabric is famous for its luxury and elegant look.

This style of weaving can be traced to medieval China where satin was exclusively woven with silk. The weave started in Quanzhou, a Chinese port city referred to as Zaitun by the medieval Arabs. Zaitun became a popular name and was later referred to as, satin till datde.

Characteristics of Satin

Satin fabric is woven with not only silk but also synthetic fibers such as polyester, cotton, and rayon, which in a way affects its overall quality. However, there are some peculiar characteristics of satin fabric regardless of the raw materials used. To mention a few:

• Drape: The concentration of fibers used in producing satin gives it a soft and easy drape. Making it an ideal choice for sewing wedding dresses and upholstery materials.
• Smooth and shiny face side: Satin weaves produce a smooth and shiny face side of the fabric. While the inside of the fabric is dull as a result of the weaving patterns. This gives satin a luxurious and soft texture when held.
• Wrinkle-resistant: Unlike other plain fabrics, satin does not wrinkle easily. Satin is wrinkle-resistant most especially the thicker satin fabrics like duchess satin.

How to Wash Satin Bridesmaid Dresses?

Pre-Wash Considerations

Satin is a soft and smooth fabric with glossy finishes making it one of the staples of every wedding. Aside from the bride's gown, the bridesmaid dresses can also be designed with satin. This adds a touch of royalty and elegance to the wedding atmosphere. Given the delicate nature of satin, it must be washed in a specific manner to retain its originality and beauty.

Hand-Washing Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

Before you proceed to hand-washing your satin bridesmaid dresses, identify the type of satin fabric it is. If your satin bridesmaid dresses are made from synthetic fibers such as polyester you can hand-wash the dress at home. However, if your satin bridesmaid dress is from silk, it is best advised that you take it to a professional dry cleaner who understands satin fabric.

"Although some wedding dresses require professional cleaning, the majority of them can be cleaned with four simple items: stain remover, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a steamer," says Breyana Wright, owner of Styled by Breyana. Let us get started with the hand-washing procedures.

(By now, you should have identified the type of satin your bridesmaid dress is.)

Clean off the Stains

First and foremost, get rid of all stains. Your bridesmaid dress will almost certainly not remain intact after the wedding ceremony. Drinks may have spilled on your dress while you were attending to your bridesmaid duties. So, there is the need to check your dress and remove any stains before they cause a dent.

Apply mild spot cleaners or stain removers on the part that has the stain. You can also add baking soda or vinegar to the stained part, it works so well. According to Breyana Wright, "When applying the stain remover, place a paper towel underneath the stain to prevent it from soaking into other layers of the dress." This prevents the stain from spreading to other parts of your bridesmaid's dress.

Wash the Dress

Wright rightly advises washing your bridesmaid dress first from the hem. Because it is more dirty compared to the bodice of your dress. You can either fill up your bathtub or a big bowl (if you have one) with cold water. This ensures that every part of the hemline is soaked with water. Add sufficient detergent to the cold water and leave your dress inside the water for a few hours.

If you still discover some dirt on the hemline, add some more detergents and scrub gently with a toothbrush. Up next is the bodice of your bridesmaid dress. This part is easier compared to the hemline, add more water and detergent to the tub(bowl). Soak the dress completely in water, then turn it inside out and wash.

Rinse the Dress

After washing your bridesmaid dress to your satisfaction, empty the tub(bowl). Proceed to fill it with warm water to rinse off the detergent from the dress. While rinsing your satin bridesmaid dress, swirl it around in water a couple of times. Rinse and repeat the procedure to ensure that all the detergent is gone from the dress. Then proceed to dry the dress.

Machine Washing Satin (If Applicable)

Not all bridesmaid dresses can be hand-washed, some can be washed with the machine. If the washing instructions on your dress allow you to use a machine. Use a mesh cloth bag to help protect your bridesmaid dress from being crushed. And also preventing any lint from sticking to the dress in the process of washing.

Turn your bridesmaid dress inside out before you put it inside the cloth bag. Add sufficient detergent to the water to wash the dress clean. Follow the washing temperature instructions to know the type of water to add.

Drying and Ironing Satin

After rinsing your satin bridesmaid dress, do not wring out the water from the dress. Instead, press out the water from the hem in a mild manner and dry on a curtain rod or a drying rack.

If you feel that the dress can size a hanger, hang it and expose to moderate sunlight. Wringing the water can lead to shrinkage and wrinkling of your bridesmaid dress.

Once the dress has dried, iron it on a pressing board using medium heat. While ironing, turn the bridesmaid dress inside out and press it according to the pattern.

Professional Care

"Bridesmaid dresses with details, such as tulle, embroidery, and lace appliqués, can change the cleaning process, and experienced dry cleaners know how to get it done without experimenting on your gown," says Sarah Ghabbour, owner of Loved Twice Bridal. If you feel that your bridesmaid dress is delicate and can be easily destroyed. Do not hesitate to consult a satin dry cleaner expert, rather than an amateur who will ruin your dress.

Hiring the services of an expert can be stressful if you have never used one before. Check online for reviews or consult with close friends who have had positive experiences.

Storage and Preservation

The longevity of your satin bridesmaid dress depends on the extent to which you store it.

To properly store your bridesmaid dress, hang it on a hanger rather than folding it. You can also put your dress inside a cotton cloth bag. The benefit of this bag is that, it keeps off dust and pests from your bridesmaid's dress. Also, it protects your bridesmaid dress from being pulled by other clothes.

You can rest assured that your satin bridesmaid dresses will still be useful to you in the nearest future. Ats long as you launder and store them the right way.

Conclusion

If you want your satin bridesmaids' dresses to last long, you must learn how to properly wash your satin fabrics. Satin bridesmaid dresses can be woven from either silk or synthetic fibers. This determines the kind of washing procedures to use, hand-washing or machine washing.

Before you wash your dress, check the instructions on the label and follow suit. This helps to preserve the lustre and smoothness of your satin dress. Wash and rinse off with cold water and dry on a rack without wringing out the water. Store your dress inside a hanging bag in your closet to ensure continuity. Let us know if you find these tips helpful in the comment section below.

References

Satin - Wikipedia

How to Clean a Wedding Dress, According to Experts

How to Wash Formal Dresses by Fabric: Satin, Sequin, and Velvet