How to Steam Satin Bridesmaid Dresses: 7-Steps + What Not to Do

Girl, let’s discuss the dresses!

Particularly, the elegant satin bridesmaid dresses. Trust me, you wish your squad to slay in those gowns but satin is rather a little more elusive than your drunk Aunt Rhonda at the disco. (Wrinkles are waiting to pounce!)

So let me start with how to get rid of those stubborn wrinkles and creases on satin clothes, be it from shipping and handling to re-wearing your dress. To properly care for your bridesmaid dress, it’s important to first allow the dress to hang or drape while not wrinkling or damaging the material in the process (of course!). But remember always to read the care label before taking any action! It may come as a surprise to know that not every type of satin behaves the same way when exposed to steam, some may NOT even need a steamer.

Equip Yourself with…

Steamer

Girl, take it away! Do not even consider ironing satin, that is an impossible mission even for a professional. Crisp ironing is one advantage of the steamer because it doesn’t need to be pressed hard on the material, unlike in ironing where you have to iron them with so much force.

Padded hanger

The straps are delicate, use hangers that do not come with rough surfaces that may bring out hanger bumps. They will ensure that the gowns appear smooth and neat and that protruding bits from boning do not cause any inconvenience.

Clean water(better distilled water)

Pour it with some fresh, clean water, or distilled if possible. No chemicals here. No hint of those hard water minerals on these beautiful Satin bridesmaid dresses of yours!

Breathable garment bag

No more dolling up your satin dress and packing it at the far end of your closet until the wedding comes. Choose a light material garment bag to allow air to circulate and prevent the dress from developing wrinkles. We want to let that satin shine, not lock it in with yucky condensation, so the window is the obvious choice.

7 Key Steps to Steam Your Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

1. Hang your satin bridesmaid dress

Do dry your satin bridesmaid dress and then, hang it on a strong hanger or a wooden clothing hanger. Ensure it is not clumped together- you have to be able to see if there are wrinkles or creases that need ironing.

2. Turn the satin gown inside out

Flip that slinky satin dress, inside out. This helps to avoid getting the outer fabric of the garment soaked and getting water stains or any other form of damage once in contact with the steam. Safety first, bridesmaids!

3. Fill the steamer

Make sure the water on your steamer is distilled water, and add it to the steamer until the fill line appears. Save up plenty of steam power because those creases ain’t going to iron themselves!

4. Heat the steamer up

Ensure the steamer has been turned on and allowed to heat properly before proceeding with steaming.

5. Start steaming

Now that you have your ingredients ready, the fun begins: start steaming! It is recommended to use it approximately 6 to 12 minutes away, but first, you should try it on a small area to see if it can take the heat.

Then try to slowly and gently slide the steamer head to the direction of the fabric which will help to relax the fibers. Then, gently iron over the fabric to flatten out any crease lines that still exist. It is something that should not be rushed since it should be done to perfection!

6. Air dry the satin dress

It is also advisable to avoid washing your dress with other clothes as this causes color transfer which results in discoloration. Let the gravity work as water drains off from the fabric and continues to drop. Try to take at least an hour or two if possible for the game to load.

7. Hang it in a breathable garment bag

Last but not least, put on your non-wrinkled satin dress, then place it on a sturdy hanger and slide it into a breathable garment cover. These covers effectively prevent dust and dirt particles from settling. This final step will not only shield your dress from dust but will also help maintain its crisp.

How to Steam Your Satin Gown in a Bathroom

Don't have a steamer? No problem! Shower steam is another way to iron out wrinkles in your satin bridesmaid gown. In the process, the key is to make sure that the steam does not wet the fabric but glides over it and flattens it.

1. Tidy up your bathroom. First, it is important that the bathroom is clean, and all clutter that may hinder easy movement is removed. This will be where you’ll be hanging your gown, therefore, clean countertops should be evident and any bottles well closed.

2. Hang your satin bridesmaid dress. Next, take your satin bridesmaid dress and head to the bathroom to hang it at the back of the door. Ensure that you turn it inside out so you can see the stains and areas that require more steaming.

3. Now, turn up that hot water and shut the door! Open the room and allow it to steam for approximately 10-15 minutes constantly checking the gown to ensure that the moisture is not accumulating and dripping. You are standing in steam and you should carefully flatten all the sensitive areas of the satin material with your hands. As always, just nudge it, don’t push it. The main message, therefore, is to Go easy on it!

4. Dry the dress. When you are sure that your bridesmaid gown has been steamed properly, turn down the hot water and open the door so that the steam can come out. You may want to blow a fan directly on the dress for at least 5-10 minutes to completely get the dress dried. Iron your garments and ensure you take extra time scrutinizing the pleated or intentionally gathered parts before neatly folding your gown and keeping it until the wedding day.

Do’s and Don’ts of Steaming Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

Do’s

• It is important that you pay close attention to the fabric care label if there are any special instructions to be followed.
• Make sure you use filtered water either distilled or demineralized in your steamer
• Allow sufficient space for the dresses to be placed flat to be steamed.
• Let the dresses dry out to the last drop before putting them away or even wearing them.
• If you are storing steamed dresses make sure to use garment bags that allow for air circulation.

Don’ts

• Don’t use high heat.
• Don’t Place the steam head directly on the fabric Without the help of water.
• Don’t Use tap water
• Don’t Steam in a closed area that does not permit enough space to navigate around.
• Don’t Over-steam which can harm delicate satin.
• Don’t Preserve your satin bridesmaid dress in plastics which may cause moisture.

How to Store Your Satin Bridesmaid Dress

I’ll be honest. Keeping those satin bridesmaid dresses fresh and shiny after the wedding sometimes feels like a herculean task! But a little effort and some attention can help a lot. 

• After steaming the dress, one should allow the cloth to cool before folding it or hanging it so that it doesn’t remain in a damp state that may cause mold formation.
• Pack them lightly in soft covers (as already mentioned) that allow some air circulation and preferably lay them flat to prevent wrinkling.
• Keep in a dry and cool place preferably in an airtight container or in a place where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight as this will affect the color of the skin. And you should not keep them in plastic bags or containers which might cause the fabric to turn yellow with time.

Trim these steps, add some steps and you will have those satin stunners for the next occasion! If you have any other questions or tips about the wedding wardrobe, please do not hesitate to ask us.

All in All

So, there you have it, 7 hot steps to keep your satin bridesmaid dresses in shape! Just be gentle when steaming and always ensure that you read the fabric care label before steaming the fabric, especially for the first time, use low pressure and make sweeping strokes across the fabric.