What To Do If Your Dress Smells Like Plastic?

You unboxed your bridal gown and found it had a plastic smell. You were so excited that your dress had finally arrived. What was supposed to be a sweet moment turns into a smelly nightmare. 

Short advice: don't panic-you are not alone, and there are ways to fix it!

Many brides face a chemical-like smell in their dresses, especially if they have been packed in a plastic bag. Or sometimes after tumble dry or steam ironing, post the big day. 

If you can relate, you are probably finding answers to questions like:

• Should you wash your gown to get rid of the plastic smell?

• Can you spray perfume on your wedding dress?

• Does airing out your dressing in sunlight work?

Explore this blog to know answers to your questions and learn about ways to deodorize the plastic smell from your bridal gown. Keep reading for more! 

What Should You Do To Remove the Plastic Smell?

1. Air It Out:

Before trying anything, airing out the dress should be your first resort unless you are getting married within a few hours. 

How To Air Your Dress:

• Hang your dress in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. 

• Repeat this process for a day or two.
  

⚠️Note: Avoid direct sunlight as UV rays can yellow the lace and the beading.

2. Use Natural Odor Absorbers:

We will move on to the second way to rescue your dress from the smelly blunder if the first one has failed or partially worked. 

The idea is to deodorize your dress without washing it. Here is what to do:

Place either activated charcoal bags, coffee grounds, or teabags near (not on) the dress and wait for a few hours (4-5) for these natural fragrances to overpower the plastic odor.

3. At-home Dry Cleaning: 

Another trick brides swear by on Reddit is DIY dry cleaning( used in theatre to freshen the costume). It is backed by the fact that alcohol kills bacteria and neutralizes odors without leaving residue.

What You Will Need?

• 250 ml Vodka 

• 250 ml Purified water 

• A clean spray bottle

Steps To Use Vodka Spray For A Smelly Dress:

Step 1: Mix 1 part vodka + 1 part water ( If the plastic smell on the fabric feels very strong, you can make the solvent stronger with 2 parts vodka + 1 part water.)

Step 2: Do a patch test  on a hidden area (insider part)

Step 3:  Wait 30 minutes to ensure there’s no stain or damage.

Step 4:  Hang the gown on a hanger in a well-ventilated room (windows open)

Step 5: Hold the bottle 6–8 inches away from the fabric.

Step 6: Mist lightly across the surface—do NOT soak the dress.

Step 7: Leave the tit hanging until it’s completely dry.

4. Gentle Hand Washing:

If none of the previous methods worked, the next option is to hand-wash your dress. However, this doesn't apply to all kinds of fabrics! 

⚠️ Before proceeding with hand washing, you must check the washing care label for “Hand wash safe”. Generally, only polyester and non-pure silk dresses are hand-wash safe. 

How To Hand-Wash Your Dress?

Add water and mild detergent to a bucket or tub.

• Gently soak your gown in it for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

• Rinse twice with clean water.

• Hang outside in the shade to air dry.

5. Professional Cleaning Services:

Professional wedding gown cleaning should be your call when:

• Your dress is smelling awfully bad.

• None of the above options works. 

• It is made of delicate fabric and adorns lace, embellishments

• You are restoring an old vintage gown.

• You're scared of ruining your dress by DIY cleaning.

What’s Different About Professional Wedding Dress Cleaning?

Professionals use advanced fabric cleaning technologies like SYSTEMK4  to clean your dress. They will also check your gown for stains and yellowing and deal with them. 

Did you know? Professional dress cleaners also offer services that include preserving your gown in an acid-free box with a 100-year anti-yellowing guarantee. 

Mistakes To Avoid When Deodorizing A Bridal Dress

Planning a destination wedding? We’ve got the best tips to pack it safely and wrinkle-free. Read on to learn the best way to travel with your wedding dress!

Takeaway:

Still struggling with odors in your gown?

Our wedding dress cleaning and preservation experts specialize in removing stubborn smells—such as plastic, sweat, mildew, or chemical odors—while protecting delicate fabrics like lace, tulle, and silk. We also offer reliable bridal dress preservation and restoration services. 

Contact Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation today to schedule a professional dress cleaning and ensure that it is picture-perfect on your big day.