Would you dare to wash a wedding dress?

[CalmDownPacino]

So I bought mine. Secondhand from eBay. It's beautiful and originally cost £1300. I paid £50! It's immaculate except the train and longer underskirts are dirty from dragging on the floor. I absolutely cannot afford dry cleaning so I'm debating putting it in the machine on a handwash cycle. Would you dare?!

I just thought I would update! We chickened out of washing it ourselves and managed to find a local independent dry cleaners who are going to 'spot clean' the affected areas for a super smashing bargain price of £40! She had a good look at it and said it is mostly dust and mud, presumably from grass, so will come out fine. Yippee!

I've worked in bridal - the tulle looks quite full to go in the machine, i would soak in the bath with gentle hand wash liquid, squeeze gently to remove excess water -( dont wring!) dry over the bath if possible, if you dry outside be careful if its a windy day, as each layer of tulle drys it could get caught on part of a rotary line. to iron, it often helps to have someone hold the bodice while one irons the tulle skirts, test the temp of the iron on the underskirts first - dont sweat muddy stains on the train, it will be dirty anyway once you have walked anywhere!

bugger! i took so long to type that!

Nice bump though babes I'd love an update!

I washed mine in the bath in tepid water with soap flakes. Soaked it overnight, did a rinse then hung it up on the shower rail to dry. Came out spotless. All the dirt on the bottom where I had dragged it around had gone.

I washed mine and it came out fine. Mine is polyester with sequins and beads. I turned it inside out, put it in a duvet cover and put it in a cool delicates wash with minimal washing powder. Hung it over the rotary line to dry.

Some fabrics like silk or satin then I wouldn't risk it.

This is mine after washing.

Ahhh bugger, posted too late :)