46th Annual Boerne Berges Fest - BlueToad

dry cleaningAsk the DryCleaning LadyYour Bridal Gown...Preserving MemoriesYou found it! The perfect wedding dress, the oneyou’ve dreamed and fantasized about your entirelife. It’s everything you ever dreamed about orenvisioned with layer and layers of exquisitefabric, beads and sequins in a sophisticateddesign that not only flatters and fits your figurebut also makes you feel like a beautiful princesson this special day, your wedding day! You can see yourselfwalking down the aisle in your dream dress looking radiant!You’ve invested so much in this dress and this day from yourheart to all the time and money so you want it to be special andlast forever. Toudanines Cleaners can help with preserving yourgown after your dream wedding. Your dress requires specialhandling that will protect and preserve it for many years to come.Maybe a family member like a daughter, sister or niece will wantto wear your gown as a heirloom in the future. What a fabulousgift to hand down for many generations to come. Your weddinggown is one of your most precious possessions. It is a symbolof an important event in your life and, as such, should be treatedwith special care and attention that your gown deserves bothbefore and after your special day.Today’s bridal gowns are made from a wide variety offabrics. The gown you have selected may be satin, taffeta,chiffon, organza, brocade, and lace, and accented with delicatetrims, such as beads, crystals, sequins, embroidery, silk flowers,and appliqué, all of which require special care. ToudaninesCleaners has had the privilege of caring for gowns of everytype and style. We feel it is essential that we inspect your gowncarefully and discuss problems or concerns you may have beforecleaning and preparation of the gown for safekeeping.Why do I need to clean my dressafter the wedding?Q:A:After the wedding, whether having worn a newgown or a cherished heirloom, most brideswant to preserve their gown as a symbol of that specialevent in their life as well as perhaps preserving theopportunity for their own daughter to wear on her weddingday. That’s why it is important to clean and repairrips and tears as soon as possible and before storing.Stains cause fiber damage and become more difficult toremove the longer they remain on the fabric. You may12 Boerne Business Monthly n June 2012by Arlene Conversethink your gown has no stains and is okay to put away without cleaning. Don’tdo it. Food and beverage stains (perhaps not even immediately visible), body oils,and make-up, if not carefully addressed as soon after the big day as possible, mayprove impossible to safely remove.My gown is an heirloom. What do I need to do?Q:A:Wearing an heirloom can make your special day that much morememorable. Always allow at least a month for professional care as wellas any alterations that may be necessary. Typically older gowns need moreattention than newer ones because many fabrics naturally yellow with age andold stains may not respond to our professional treatments. Before you decide towear a cherished heirloom, allow us to assess its condition and discuss the prosand cons with you.Toudanines Cleaners can help you preserve that special lifetime moment. Once we havepreserved your memories, here are our suggestions for maintaining your gown:a.) After we have preserved your gown in one of our specially constructed gown boxes,your treasure will already have been carefully stuffed with white, acid free, tissue paper to preventwrinkles. As long as the headpiece does not have a metal wire frame or colored flowers, we willenclose it with your gown.b.) Headpieces, veils, shoes, programs, glasses, foam shoulder pads, and bra cups shouldbe removed and stored individually and separately from the gown to avoid color changes anddamage to the gown’s fabric. Toudanines Cleaners will be glad to discuss suggestions for storingthese items.c.) Store the gown in a cool, dry location. Basements and attics are not good choices becausebasement dampness can cause mildew and attic heat could promote yellowing of the fabric. Underthe bed or in a closet is always a good choice.d.) The goal of any storage method is to slow down the aging process. Unfortunately, noprocess or storage method can absolutely guarantee against yellowing or possible deterioration offabrics. However, by allowing Toudanines Cleaners the privilege to care for your gown, you willhave taken all the right steps to minimize these eventualities. You may wish to consider checking thegown every 3–5 years as it is easier to address and correct any problems sooner rather than later.Toudanines Cleaners considers it a privilege to handle your gown both before as well asafter your special day. We are glad to also preserve the memory of military uniforms as well aschristening gowns. Rather it be your wedding day, in memory of military service and a lovedone, Toudanines Cleaners will take excellent care to prepare and protect those memories. Youcan trust that we will cherish those precious items with the respect and special attention thatthey deserve. BBMArlene Converse is President of Toudanines Cleaners in Boerne, San Antonio andSchertz, Texas. They currently own and operate 3 locations in Boerne and throughoutthe San Antonio area. In 19 years they have own and operated 17 stores in 11cities throughout the state of Texas. For more information visit our website atwww.ToudaninesCleaners.com, Facebook and Twitter.IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE DRY CLEANING LADY, PLEASE SUBMIT IT TO INFO@TOUDANINESCLEANERS.COM