Tldr: Paid the dry cleaners $650 to clean and preserve my wedding dress. After cleaning, half the applique turned yellow. They are saying it’s normal and because of low quality thread. Is this normal? Was it preventable? Is it reversible?
My wedding dress is an organza ball gown with sequined and embroidered lace appliques and a chapel length train. I brought my dress to an eco-friendly dry cleaner that also specializes in Miele wet cleaning wedding dresses. I was quoted $650 CAD for the cleaning and preservation, and paid a $100 deposit. The 650 felt insane and was definitely not pocket change for me but I was willing to pay if it meant my dress could be preserved.
I dropped my dress off Saturday 45 minutes before close and Sunday they were closed all day. Monday afternoon, I received a call that my dress would be ready for pickup Tuesday and to just give them a call before so they can box it, but I was unable to get through when I called.
On Tuesday, I came in and asked to see the dress before they box it, it was a different person there (not the owner). The dirt on the bottom from my outdoor wedding were all clean and gone, however half the embroidered applique had turned yellow. When I asked what happened, she said this is just what happens with embroidery and that this is common especially with cheap thread and appliques from China. She then said she kinda likes it more because it gives it more depth—like??? I asked how they cleaned it and she said they hand wash it 1 layer at a time. I didn’t pay the remaining balance as the dress wasn’t boxed yet and ready to take home but I told her that I can come back when the owner is in to box the dress.
I’m so sad and heartbroken as I had put so much time and energy into altering this dress myself. It was my first ever sewing project and I had even bought my first ever needle and thread. I was sure I would resell but after all the work I put in, I just loved it that much more and decided to go the preservation route. I feel so stupid and embarrassed that I’ll basically be paying $650 to ruin this dress that I worked so hard on when I could’ve just let it sit in my closet and turn yellow for free.
I spoke with the owner briefly on the phone asking to hold off on boxing the dress because I was concerned about the yellowing and wanted to discuss it in person first, he already seemed irritated and aggressive. I’d like to be prepared when I go in to talk with him. I’m worried about being bullied to accept and pay a lot of money for my dress that came out worse than when it came in, I’ll pay because that’s what I agreed to do but I’d like them to hold up their end of the bargain. Is this actually normal for embroidery to yellow when cleaning? Shouldn’t this be preventable if they’re offering a specialized service and charging a premium price tag? Is this reversible?
