Most Common Last-Minute Wedding Gown Stains and How To Remove It

The last thing that you would want to worry about on your wedding day is getting your dress stained. You should be walking down the aisle with your stunning wedding gown full of confidence without having to worry about anything. 

However, there are instances that you cannot control on the day of your wedding most especially when you have to roam around to greet your guests and do your make-up at the same time. This may cause you to get a lot of stains on your gown unknowingly.

Stains on your wedding gown may sound disastrous but it can actually be removed or hidden quickly. There are visible and invisible stains that may stick to your gown but for the most visible one, we prepared some tips on how to do last-minute stain removal and keep your gown clean throughout your wedding ceremony.

Here are the most common stains that might stick to your gown and how to remove them.

#1 Lipstick or Makeup stains

This is the most common stain that you will probably get on your wedding dress. It is impossible to avoid it as you will have to sit for almost 4 hours to get your makeup done and anything can happen between those hours. But do not panic! It can be removed or covered easily.

Try wiping it with a stain removal wipes or stain stick. Dab it at the stain from the outside edges toward the center carefully so it will not smudge. If that will not work, scrape off any excess makeup with a spoon or anything that can scoop and blot first with a dry cloth.

After, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the stain and leave it there for three to five minutes then rinse it with water. Dry it with a hairdryer and cover the remaining stains with chalk or baby powder. That way, the makeup or lipstick stain will not be too visible in your gown if not removed totally.

#2 Drink stains

You will never be able to avoid this if you are a coffee lover who likes to have a daily dose of coffee to start their day and your wedding day is no exception. Drink stains can also be caught from people around you who are drinking juice or wine.

If that happens, mix a drop or two of mild dishwashing detergent with either a dash of white vinegar or lemon juice. Carefully rub it on the surface of the stain to make sure it will not scatter more and cause bigger problems. The stain won’t be removed right away so let it dry for three to five minutes and cover the remaining stains with chalk or baby powder.

You can also use a white towel to absorb as much of the coffee, juice, or wine as possible and then dab it gently with a white cloth soaked in warm water until the stains become invisible. Make sure to start dabbing from the outside going to the middle to avoid creating a bigger stain.

#3 Pen Ink

This is one of the most difficult stains to remove because it leaves a noticeable stain even after you remove it. That is why we recommend that you do any final edit or addition to your vows the day before your wedding to avoid any ink stains. But if you need to write something and got ink stains, grab a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. Work slowly while you try to absorb the ink. Change the swab as often to make sure that the ink is not transferred back to the fabric.

After that, blot it with a clean cloth and protect the underside of the gown with another white cloth to help absorb the ink. Let it sit for three to five minutes and then dry it. You can also try wiping it with a cloth dipped in liquid detergent and water.

#4 Food stains

Of course, we cannot skip eating. You will need that to gain energy for a whole day filled with tiring but happy memories. But be careful not to drop any piece on your gown cause you might get that tiny stains on your white beautiful dress while you walk down the aisle.

If ever that happens, cover the stain with a thick layer of baby powder to absorb the oil or food grease and let it sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Gently brush it away once the stain dries and keep doing the same process until the color of the stain fades.

After that, wet a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and dab it in the stains carefully. Make sure not to make the stain bigger to avoid getting more trouble. Luckily, food stains are not that difficult to remove but if there are still traces of the stains, cover it with chalk or baby powder.

#5 Mud and soil stains

There will be a lot of photoshoots happening on the wedding day that requires you to move a lot from one place to another. With that, you cannot avoid getting mud or soil stains to get to your wedding dress. Although this kind of stain is too small to be noticed, it can still catch the attention of your guests if there are too many.

To remove mud and soil stains, use a damp cloth with liquid detergent and water on it and then lightly brush it off the surface of the stain. Be careful not to rub and just brush it off nicely to avoid the stain from getting bigger. Let the stain dry and then cover it with chalk or baby powder if it remains visible after brushing it off with a damp cloth.

It is difficult to spot a stain on your wedding gown most especially when you are packed with things to do on your wedding day. However, it is still better to be safe than sorry so make sure that you avoid things that can put stains on your gown and always carry with you stain removal must-have items. That way, you will always be prepared during a last-minute wedding dress stain disaster and walk the aisle confidently with your stain-free and gorgeous gown.

However, if stains have to really get in the way, consider investing for a professional wedding dress preservation service right after you wedding day.