Proper Care for Fashion Formal Dresses.
Sequined dresses need to be washed with care. Turn the dress inside out and wash on a gentle cycle with cool water. Never put sequins in the dryer. Not only will they fall off, there is a good chance they could melt as well.
Formal dresses with beading on them should be handled similarly to sequined dresses. Turn the dress inside out, this will protect the beads from the washing machine. Put in the gentle cycle with cold water. Or, if you prefer to hand wash do it in cold water. Never put beads in the dryer they may fall off or melt on the dress.
Silk satin can be hand washed in ice-cold water with mild soap. Satin made from acetate should be washed in warm water with liquid detergent or mild soap flakes. Dunk the garment in the water until the stain is gone. Rinse twice, and then drip-dry. Crepe satin should be washed in warm water with mild liquid detergent using the same method.
Dry cleaning is a special process of washing clothes that typically is not done at home. It is a good way to protect delicate fabrics. Water and detergents are harmful for some fabrics. Dry cleaning uses a special solvent that does not require water.
If your formal dress says that it needs to be drying cleaned, then it is important to heed that warning. This means that you could permanently damage the garment by washing it in water at home. It is not like they are saying your dress needs to be washed by a professional; it just means that the dress should not be exposed to water or detergent.
With large dresses that have a lot of ruffles, fabric, and beading it may not even be necessary to wash the entire dress. Chances are there will be just a few dirty spots that can be spot cleaned. Clean under the arm area if that is an issue. Or many times a formal dress drags on the floor and gets very dirty. Just the bottom of the dress can be cleaned. Research stain removal tips for the specific type of stain as well as the fabric.
Again if it is a dry clean only dress, take it to the dry cleaners ” there is no substitute! You will save money and wear on your formal dress however if you just have them remove specific stains versus dry cleaning the entire dress.