7. Chemical Pollution - inappropriate storage of your gown will contribute to degradation of the textile fibres due to acid migration from the storage materials.

a. Plastic Covers - the worst storage medium for your gown is a plastic bag or cover. Storage boxes with plastic viewing windows are also not recommended. The plastic chemicals react with the fabric enhancing acid formation and causing excessive yellowing and tarnishing of white gowns and fading of coloured fabrics. Plastics also trap moisture (see above).

b. Cardboard Boxes - commercial storage boxes are not made of acid-free board. The acid can migrate and react with the contents of the box within only a few months causing gradual yellowing and deterioration.

c. Glues, Tapes and Adhesives - used to make commercial packaging or decorative additions are also highly acidic and can be very attractive to certain pests.

d. Wooden Chests - often sold as Wedding Trouseaux, the high acid and lignin content of the natural wood will cause more rapid deterioration and discolouration of a dress stored in this way.

e. Inks and Dyes - the dyes and colourings contained within commercial tissue paper, printed fabrics or wrapping papers are highly acidic and will turn contacted areas yellow. Beware of storage boxes claiming to be acid free but decorated, printed or covered in fibrous papers on the outside to make them more attractive. The higher acid content of the decoration plus the adhesive to hold it in place will in time migrate through the box to your dress. Having an acid free box covered in materials with a damaging acid content is rather defeating the object! Never use perfumed and patterned drawer liners to store precious textiles.

f. Sealing - preserving your gown in a vacuum packed, oxygen free container is not particularly ideal or recommended. This method is usually a last-resort conservation method used by museums or archivists to preserve fragile items. The packaging may not always provide an acid-free environment, may trap moisture and does not allow for access and inspection at regular intervals.

1. Pre-plan - treat the preservation of your gown as part of the wedding planning process and not as an afterthought. Understand the fabric and accessories that make-up your wedding gown and find a good dry cleaner who specializes in cleaning gowns. Some organized brides keep an emergency stain cleaner to hand during the big day, otherwise arrange for someone reliable to take the dress for cleaning as soon as possible.

2. Storage - aim to store your dress in an environment that is as chemically (acid) neutral as possible:

a. flat storage - provides even support which helps to minimize fibre damage. Avoid hanging your wedding gown for too long on hangers or in plastic dry cleaning covers. Transfer to a flat box / storage container as soon as time allows.
b. acid (pH) neutral archival box - invest in a sturdy archival quality storage container that is specially made for textile preservation and does not contain harmful acids or alkalis. The correct box will protect against light and dust and reduce the risk of minor untoward accidents! You are not looking for 'pretty' or 'designer' or 'matching' but for specialised, practical storage that is designed for this particular function.
c. stacking - don't store more than one item in a container (mixed materials will have different acid content and migration may occur into your dress). Store shoes, veils and purses separately. Smaller archival storage boxes are available for these type of items.
d. folding - Ensure the storage container is adequate for the size of wedding gown. Too small and permanent creasing may occur, too big and your dress will slide around too freely. Ideally the dress should be folded as little as possible. Fold once at waist level (bodice onto skirt) and again at thigh level if necessary. Layer the folds with unbuffered acid-free tissue paper. Use only white tissue never blue, black or commercially produced paper.
e. handling - wash your hands before handling to avoid transfer of grease and salts. Ideally use white lint free cotton gloves when folding and packing your wedding gown (these can be washed and kept for this purpose). Once packed away, try to avoid opening the box and handling again unnecessarily. However, we would recommend checking the dress each year. Carefully unpack and examine the gown for any signs of staining or creasing. Repack again following the above guidelines to prevent permanent folds and creases from developing. If your archival box has been supplied with cotton covers wash these in mild non-biological washing medium (no additives or enzymes) to remove dust. Dry flat and iron carefully.
f. environment - plan where you are going to store your dress so that it will not be affected by radiators, underfloor heating systems, damp or pests. Keep out of direct sunlight in a dark place but never in the attic, loft or basement. Storing in a living part of the house such as the bedroom will provide an environment with more stable temperatures and moderate humidity levels.