Stains on Wedding Dress? Here's What You Can Do

“The most memorable days end with the dirtiest clothes.” 

But even a tiny spot, especially on a white wedding dress before the ceremony, appears very ugly. I have never seen a bride who wants to get a stain on her wedding gown, that too on her wedding day – in fact, this is the worst nightmare for a bride.

Unfortunately, stains are inevitable, even if you take every precaution. They can come from body oils, makeup, sweat, dust, dirt, food, and wine.

Imagine someone accidentally spills wine on your wedding gown, or your dress gets makeup stains when you’re getting ready. 

“Oh, NO…………. What should I do now? How to get rid of this stain? How to clean a wedding dress? It will ruin my big day.” 

These are the common thoughts that come to a bride’s mind. But now what? 

Well, it is always good to expect the unexpected. So, here's what a bride can do if she has somehow stained her wedding dress!

Immediate Actions to Take When a Stain Occurs

While prevention is better than a cure, at unfortunate times, you can’t do anything to prevent wedding dress stains. So, if you somehow stain your wedding gown, here are a few things you should do:

Stay Calm and Act Quickly

While it is easy to let stress take over, creating panic won’t do anything good. So, stay calm. Since stains love time to make themselves deeper, darker, and even bigger, you should act immediately. The sooner you address the stain, the better your chances of removing it.

Pro Tip: You won’t have much time to go through various articles to search for the best cleaning tips for your gown. So, make sure you can do some research about the fabric of your wedding gown prior to your wedding day. 

However, remember that not all fabrics are the same. Lace is more delicate than silk. So, find an effective emergency stain remover for your wedding dress in advance to handle these nasty surprises.

Blot, Don’t Rub

If it is a liquid stain, such as from make-up or wine, gently blot it with a clean, white cloth or paper towel. Rubbing the stain can spread it and cause it to set deeper into the fabric, making it more difficult to remove. Bloating helps to absorb the excess liquid without damaging the fabric.

Use a Spot Cleaner

As mentioned before, having an effective spot cleaner can be your lifesaver in such instances. So, if you get a stain, use your spot cleaner. However, make sure you use a clean white cloth, especially for white dresses. 

Note: Always patch-test first on a hidden seam & opt for gentle cleaners. You can use a homemade stain remover, made up of dish soap + vinegar + water.

Create an Emergency Bridal Stain Kit

Quick Summary Table: Stain Removal Methods

Common Wedding Dress Stains Occur Before or During the Wedding: How to Treat Them

From sweat and body oil stains to food and beverage stains, a wedding dress can get different kinds of stains. So, let’s discuss the common wedding dress stains and how to address them effectively.

Food and Beverage Stains

Wine, coffee, and food spills are almost inevitable during a wedding. While beverages like red wine or juice will leave a colored stain on your dress, food spills will make your dress absorb the oil.

So, here is how you can get rid of different types of stains from your gown:

Makeup Stains

Makeup stains are common, especially around the neckline and bust area. So, wear a silk scarf to cover these areas. 

In addition, make sure you take extra precautions while finishing touches, as lipstick or mascara stains are difficult to remove. However, if the worst happens, try makeup remover. 

Pro tip: Don’t rub; just dab. 

You can use:

• Baby powder to absorb oily smears.

• Sticky tape or a hair dryer to remove dry powders. 

• Lift away blobs of lipstick, lip gloss, or foundation with a sharp, pointed object like a knife.

• For foundation stains, dab with mild detergent on a damp cloth.

• For lipstick/blush stains, dab gently with rubbing alcohol using a cotton swab.

And if nothing works, try to cover the spot with the help of flowers! 

Grass & Dirt Stains

Grass and dirt stains are common on your hem, especially during an outdoor wedding or while taking photos. However, no one is going to stare at your hem. 

So, you can leave it as it is on your wedding day. And after your wedding, you can find a reliable wedding dress cleaner to get rid of grass and dirt stains.

However, if it is visible too much, you can apply some baby powder to absorb the moisture and cover the discoloration. And for mud stains, you can use a dry towel or brush to lighten the stain after it is completely dry.

Note: Don’t forget to get your wedding dress cleaned by a professional after your wedding.

Sweat and Body Oil Stains

While sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, stress-inducing moments can make some people sweat a lot. And there is nothing to be ashamed of. However, this sweat can lead to wedding dress stains that impact your overall look.

So, it is wise to use armpit pads. However, this won’t work for sleeveless gowns. In such a case, apply a paste of baking soda and water, leave for 30 minutes, rinse.

In addition to sweat, a delicate fabric can absorb body oil, causing stains on your wedding dress. So, it is recommended that you use body lotion at least 7-8 hours before your wedding. This will not only prevent staining your dress but also ensure your body absorbs the moisturizer completely. 

Moreover, if your body doesn’t absorb moisture properly, it can make you sweat more, transferring lotion or stains to your wedding dress fabric.

Pollen Grains

Pollen grains from the flowers can easily cling to your wedding dress and leave yellow stains. If you notice pollen on your dress, avoid brushing it off with your hands, as this can spread the stain. Instead, use a piece of sticky tape to gently lift the pollen grains from the fabric. 

If a stain remains, you can try baby powder to cover the stain.

Water Stains

Though water seems harmless, it can leave visible marks on delicate wedding dress fabrics, especially satin and silk. So, here is how you can treat water stains:

Note: If the stain persists or leaves a visible ring, it's best to consult a professional cleaner.

Ink & Color Bleed from Other Fabrics

This can happen when colored accessories, sashes, or ribbons rub against your gown, especially in humid or rainy conditions.

Treat these stains as soon as possible, as letting them dry can set the dye permanently.

Common Wedding Dress Stains After the Wedding: How to Treat Them

A wedding gown not only gets stains on the wedding day but after the wedding as well. So, here, we will discuss common wedding stains after the wedding, their reasons, and how to treat them.

Food and Sweat Stains

Food and sweat stains turn yellow over time, especially if left untreated. While your professional wedding dress cleaner can help you get rid of all kinds of stains, you can use the following tricks after your wedding, especially if you are not immediately taking your dress to a professional cleaner. Apply:

• Dilute ammonia and vinegar solution

• Hydrogen peroxide and water solution

• Vinegar solution

Deodorant Stains

Like food and sweat stains, invisible stains of deodorant can be tricky to deal with. When chemicals in deodorant react with sweat and the fabric of the wedding dress, it leads to yellow stains. These stains can permanently set into the fabric if left untreated, making them more challenging to remove.

You can use the following tips to get rid of deodorant stains:

• Apply baking soda and water paste and rinse it after 30 minutes

• Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and rinse it with cold water after half an hour

However, it is always best to hire a professional wedding dress cleaner to clean both visible and invisible stains.

Oxidation Stains

UV light, grass, dirt, pollutants, and food and beverage particles cause fabric oxidation, which, if left untreated for a prolonged period, can lead to fabric discoloration. So, make sure you store your gown properly away from sunlight, humidity, mold, and mildew. 

Yellow Stains Due to Improper Storage

Most brides store their wedding dresses in a plastic bag or an untreated card box. However, plastic material can break down over time and emit harmful fumes, which then react with fabric and cause yellow stains. 

In addition, when the delicate fabric of a wedding dress comes in contact with various environmental factors, like humidity, UV light, etc., it leads to fabric yellowing over time. 

If you want to maintain the pristine condition of your wedding dress for lifetime, it is wise to opt for wedding gown preservation.

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we offer wedding dress cleaning and preservation kits that allow you to store your wedding gown properly and protect it from environmental damage.

Pre-Wedding Preventative Measures

While stains on your wedding gown are inevitable, no bride wants to get her wedding dress stained before the wedding. So, here are the preventative measures you can opt for before your wedding:

• Never take your gown out of the garment bag before your wedding day

• Never store your gown in an area with direct sunlight, fluctuating temperature conditions, or humidity

• Avoid too much dress handling

• Wear your wedding gown at the last moment to avoid stains

• Apply moisturizer one night before your wedding

• Apply deodorant hours before wearing your dress

• Cover your face with a scarf when you have to wear a wedding gown

• Always wear a robe during hair and makeup.

• Use silk scarves to protect your neckline and bust while dressing.

• Keep emergency supplies handy (powder, wipes, club soda).

• Have someone help when moving or eating.

Key Tips to Remember for Future Brides

Planning ahead and staying prepared can make all the difference when it comes to managing wedding dress stains. Here are essential tips every bride should keep in mind to keep her gown looking perfect.

• Before using a stain removal product, make sure you test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your gown.

• Don’t hang your dress. Place it on a flat surface.

• When it is time for makeup and hairdo, wear a robe to avoid makeup stains.

• Keep your dress out of reach of children, pets, and anything that could potentially stain it.

• Make sure anyone handling the dress has clean hands to avoid transferring oils or dirt.

• Always use a white towel to dab any stains gently, avoiding rubbing or scrubbing.

• Keep a DIY wedding dress emergency kit. 

The Bottom Line

While it’s almost impossible to avoid stains entirely, knowing how to handle them can make a significant difference. By staying calm and using the right methods for different types of stains, you can maintain your wedding dress’s beauty throughout your special day and beyond. 

For long-term preservation, consider professional cleaning and proper storage techniques to keep your gown looking as beautiful as ever. 

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, we offer the highest level of preservation with our 100-year guarantee against yellowing and staining. With over a century of experience, we provide expert cleaning using advanced technology and ensure your gown’s unique features are meticulously restored. 

Our service includes free two-way shipping with insurance and complimentary cleaning for five wedding accessories. We are committed to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring your wedding gown can be cherished by future generations.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with our team now to restore and preserve your wedding gown!