How to Remove Stains From Your Gown on Your Wedding Day

Getting a huge stain on your wedding gown minutes before walking down the aisle is probably number one on your list of wedding day fears.

Accidents happen, especially on wedding days, but a wedding gown stain doesn’t have to be the huge disaster many brides think it is. Rather than moving into complete panic mode, take a deep breath, and know there is a way to fix it. Every gown is different, but there are a few stain removal tips that can work with almost any gown. Baby powder and makeup wipes will be your best friends and should be a part of your wedding day essentials. But, remember these are surface fixes and you should get your wedding gown to a professional cleaner fairly soon after your wedding. Keep reading for a few ways to remove stains from your wedding gown the moment they happen!

Deodorant & Makeup Stains

Even on a regular day, it’s always a pain to deal with pesky deodorant stains! If you happen to get any deodorant residue on your gown while you’re putting it on, just use a baby or makeup wipe to dab away the stain. For more delicate fabrics, like silk, use a pair of nylon tights to dab out the stain. Removing a makeup stain would require the same process, you could sprinkle some baby powder on the stain as well and let it sit for a few minutes before gently brushing it off.

Photography by Alyssa Parker Photography

Liquid Stains

Photography by Jessie Wyman & Christina Anne

No matter what kind of liquid has stained your gown, whether it’s white wine or iced tea, you’ll want to dab at the stain to remove any excess liquid. Once you think you’ve removed all the liquid, cover the stain with baby powder or cornstarch. This will allow the stain to be lifted off of the gown before it sets into the fibers. Gently brush away the powder after a few minutes with a small brush or your finger. You can also use a small cloth and warm water to dab out a liquid stain on more delicate fabrics.

Oil Stains

If you spill any oily food or grease onto your wedding gown, use a blunt knife or utensil to remove any excess food or oil. Apply a thick layer of baby powder onto the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to soak up the oil or grease and then gently brush it away. You can also wet a cloth with warm water and a small amount of dish soap to dab at the stain, starting at the edges, working your way to the middle of the stain.

Photography by Elizabeth LaDuca Photography

Grass or Mud Stains

Even with a perfectly tailored wedding gown, if you have a train, it’s likely that it will drag on the ground at some point. The best fix for this kind of stain is prevention. Try to hold up your gown when walking through grass or even on concrete. If you do get any stains, it’s best to leave them alone as most won’t be visible in photos. But, if they're visible, you can brush off any grass or mud with a dry towel. Applying any wet substances, like water, will make the stain set in more.

What Not To Do

You want to move quickly before the stain sets in, but don’t start panic scrubbing. Rubbing the stain will only work it into the fabric even more, instead blot away any excess before you try to remove the stain. You also want to avoid using any stain removal pens or commercial stain removers. These tend to bleach the stain, making it irreversible even for a professional cleaner.