Removing Stains on your Wedding Day

Let's face it- a stain on your wedding attire is less than ideal. A big splash of red wine on your gorgeous white dress?? No thanks. Fortunately, there are simple ways to tackle stains, especially if they have just occurred. In The Bride Kit you will find all-purpose stain removing wipes (that we think are miracle workers!) as well as wipes designed specifically for delicate fabrics, to really care for the silks and satins on the go. If you don't have The Bride Kit (what are you waiting for?) or you have a little extra time to tackle the stain, read on!

We've compiled a comprehensive list of the fabrics you will typically see used with wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos, and suits, and then the best methods for getting stains out. Best of luck for a stain-free wedding journey!

 Wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos, and suits are all typically made from a variety of different fabrics, with the following being the most popular....

Wedding dresses:

• Satin: This fabric is shiny and has a smooth finish, it is often used for the bodice and skirt of a wedding dress.
• Organza: This is a lightweight and sheer fabric, which is often used for the overlay of a wedding dress.
• Chiffon: This is a lightweight and flowy fabric that is often used for the overlay of a wedding dress.
• Lace: This is a delicate and romantic fabric that is often used as an overlay or as an embellishment on a wedding dress. This is the most likely to be passed down or repurposed, and can often be extremely fragile.
• Tulle: A lightweight, very fine netting fabric that gives a full and fluffy skirt for a wedding dress.
• Taffeta: this fabric is a crisp and smooth fabric, often used for the overlay.

Bridesmaids dresses:

• Chiffon: This is a lightweight and flowy fabric that is often used for bridesmaid dresses.
• Satin: This fabric is shiny and has a smooth finish, it is often used for bridesmaid dresses.
• Taffeta: this fabric is a crisp and smooth fabric, often used for the overlay of bridesmaids dresses.
• Tulle: A lightweight, very fine netting fabric that gives a full and fluffy skirt for a bridesmaid dress.
• Polyester: This is a strong, durable, and wrinkle-resistant fabric that is often used for bridesmaid dresses.

Tuxedos:

• Wool: This is a traditional and classic fabric that is often used for tuxedos. It's both wrinkle-resistant and suitable for most weather conditions.
• Microfiber: This fabric is a synthetic fabric that mimics the look and feel of wool, it is often used for tuxedos because of its wrinkle-resistance and durability.

Suits:

• Wool: This is a traditional and classic fabric that is often used for suits. It's both wrinkle-resistant and suitable for most weather conditions.
• Polyester: This is a strong, durable, and wrinkle-resistant fabric that is often used for suits.
• Microfiber: This fabric is a synthetic fabric that mimics the look and feel of wool, it is often used for suits because of its wrinkle-resistance and durability.
• Linen: This fabric is breathable and lightweight, it's typically used for summer suits.

It's worth noting that there're a lot of variations, depending on the season, region and personal preferences. As well as designers have their own preference and may have other materials they like to work with!

Here's our best advice for getting stains out, material by material.

Silk:

• Use a mixture of mild detergent and cool water to gently blot the stain.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the silk to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.

Satin:

• Use a mixture of mild detergent and cool water to gently blot the stain.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the satin to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Cotton:

• Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover before washing.
• Use warm water and a mild detergent to wash the item.
• Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can cause discoloration.

Wool:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the wool to shrink.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.

Rayon:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the rayon to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Organza:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the organza to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Chiffon:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the chiffon to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Lace:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the lace to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the delicate fabric of lace.

Tulle:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the tulle to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Taffeta:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the taffeta to shrink or become discolored.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fabric.

Polyester:

• Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover before washing.
• Use warm water and a mild detergent to wash the item.
• Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can cause discoloration.

Microfiber:

• Blot the stain with a solution of mild detergent and cool water.
• If the stain persists, use a mixture of white vinegar and water, and then rinse with water and dry with a towel.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the microfiber to shrink or become discolored.
• Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can cause discoloration.

Linen:

• Gently blot the stain with a mixture of mild detergent and cool water.
• If the stain is still present, use a small amount of white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.
• Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the linen to shrink.
• Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can cause discoloration.

Keep in mind that it's always best to address a stain as soon as possible, as fresh stains are usually easier to remove than set-in stains. If a stain persists, it is suggested to take to professional cleaner. And always read the care label of your garments, before apply any method on the fabrics.

In addition, it's always a good idea to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first before attempting to remove a stain to ensure that the method you are using will not cause discoloration or damage to the fabric.

Happy styling!