Wedding Gown Preservation Services

Your bridal gown was specifically designed to be worn one time. We understand how to preserve those delicate fabrics to last as long as your memories - and to allow you to give an heirloom to your daughter one day. That is why we are proud to offer you Wedding Gown Preservation Services by the Childress Company.

Over 40 years of experience with hand cleaning of designer and vintage fabrics have established Childress Professional Dry Cleaning as a leader in bridal gown cleaning and preservation. Our staff are experts in all cleaning processes involving the delicate fabrics, beading, embroidery, and stitching of wedding garments.

Our staff has provided bridal garment services for many years in our Charlotte, NC ABClogocolor4.JPGplant. We now have the opportunity to reach across the internet and provide that same quality service and attention to detail to your treasured memories.

Check out the other links in our site to learn more about our services and don't forget to click the "Ask The Dry Cleaner" link if you have any questions regarding dry cleaning, washing, stain removal, or preservation services.

To take advantage of our Wedding Gown Preservation Services, which includes free shipping and a free preservation chest, simply:

Step 1 -Complete and submit the on-line order form.

Step 2 - A special shipping box will be delivered to you with a postage-paid return label. Insert your garments and contact any UPS Shipping Center for a pick-up. After completion of our preservation process, your garments will be returned to you in special acid-free preservation container with a 50 year guarantee. It's as simple as that!

All gown orders include free shipping and free preservation chest

Cleaning and Preservation - gowns with no train or sweeping (floor length) train $149.00

Cleaning and Preservation - gowns with chapel length (4 feet from waist-line) to royal train (7 1/2 feet from waistline) train $162.00

Cleaning and Preservation - Gowns with special processes required $179.00

Restoration of vintage gowns - quoted after inspection

Veil / Headpiece $19.99

Shoes (satin) $17.99 *shoes can be cleaned but not preserved due to glues commonly used in manufacturing process which will deteriorate over time

Jacket / Shawl $19.99

Other items (gloves, pillows, garters) $8.00 - $16.00

Shipping (if outside of Charlotte, NC) $40

How do I use your Wedding Gown Preservation service?

A: Complete and submit your information on the Contact page. We will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your shipping address and arrange payment. We will then ship a box to you for your gown and accessories, which includes packing instructions and a postage-paid label. If you live in the Charlotte, NC area, we have a home valet service which will pick-up and deliver your gown directly to your home.

B: Pack your gown and drop the container at any UPS Shipping Center or call UPS for a pick-up. Depending on the complexities with your gown, the cleaning process usually will be completed in two weeks. Your garments will be shipped back to you in a special acid-free container which has been designed to protect your gown for the next 50 years.

What cleaning process is used on my garments?

Wedding gowns can represent unusual challenges from a cleaning perspective. The potential combination of fibers and materials - both natural and synthetic - as well as an assortment of decorative details, creates a challenge which requires the experience and judgement of an experienced gown professional. We pay strict attention to the manufacturer guidelines for each gown - and we test every element of the gown (beading, stitching, etc) to ensure viability of the appropriate cleaning agents. Our process utilizes detergents and solvents that are appropriate for these types of garments so that they will be thoroughly cleaned, but will not degrade the fibers over time. Each gown is individually hand cleaned and pressed - and personally inspected by a single Master Dry Cleaner throughout the entire process.

My dress was not cleaned after our wedding 2 yrs. ago. Now it is showing stains that were not apparent right after the wedding. Any idea what might cause new stains on a gown hanging in a closet and whether or not they would be removable now?

This is a common situation - and one that drives the need for garment preservation for wedding gowns. Some stains, especially those from bodily fluids such as perspiration, can be invisible initially, but will ultimately transform bio-chemically into what is commonly referred to in the industry as a "sugar stain", a general reference to the oxidation process that occurs over time. The good news is, these can be removed. If all are removed properly (and we have techniques to identify other so-called invisible stains), then you have eliminated all elements that would artificially speed up the fabric deterioration process. That is, quite simply, the idea behind garment preservation. Other businesses many use fancy words to mystify the process ("anti-sugar treatments", "virgin solvent applications", etc) but they all refer to the simple process of eliminating external initiators of fabric deterioration. Even though wedding gowns aren't built with hardy fabrics and materials for long term use, they certainly can be positioned to be preserved quite effectively, if you have the right expertise.

“I thought I had destroyed my new Christian Dior dress. I now see where the Master Dry Cleaner from Childress gets his ‘Miracle Man of Dry Cleaning’ nickname. I can’t thank you enough.”

J. Thompson Charlotte, NC