How to Preserve Baby Dresses

A handmade baby dress.

Some of the worst things that can happen when storing old baby dresses are water damage, mildew and moth attacks. Throwing old baptism, first birthday and Christmas dresses into plastic bags or cardboard boxes simply isn't enough if you want to properly preserve these keepsakes. When correctly stored and preserved, these baby dresses can be passed down from generation to generation. This is especially important for dresses that have been handmade. Also, making sure the dress is clean and folded properly is important when preserving.

Things You'll Need

• Mild detergent
• Clothespins
• Clean, white washcloth
• Scissors
• White cotton gloves
• Clean white sheet
• Acid-free, lignin-free tissue
• Large acid-free, lignin-free box

Instructions

Cleaning

1. Remove any metal on the dress. This includes buttons and embellishments. Metal can corrode over time and create stains on the delicate fabric of the dress.

2. Hand wash the dress using the mild detergent. Make sure the dress does not need to be dry cleaned; if it does, do not hand wash it, but take it to a reputable dry cleaner.

3. Rinse the dress at least three times with cool water.

4. Hang the dress on a clothesline with the clothespins and let air dry. To avoid denting from the clothespins, cut small pieces out of a clean, white washcloth and place them where each clothespin grips the dress; rubber-tipped clothespins are best. You can also lay the dress flat to dry.

Packaging

1. Put on the white cotton gloves when handling the dress. This will keep any lotions or other oils from your skin from getting on the dress.

2. Lay the sheet down on a flat surface.

3. Place the acid- and lignin-free tissue over the sheet. Also crunch some of the tissue up and stuff it into the bodice and sleeves of the dress to prevent creasing.

4. Fold the acid- and lignin-free tissue over the dress; ensure that it is completely covered. Add multiple layers of tissue if necessary. Be sure to wrap accessories like bonnets and slips separately.

5. Place the wrapped dress into the box. The box should be large enough to give the dress a lot of breathing room, which allows for adequate air circulation.

Storing

1. Store the boxed dress in an interior closet. This means that none of the four closet walls should be external. External walls can allow temperature changes and humidity.

2. Check on the dress at least once a year. Remove the acid- and lignin-free tissue, and look for any signs of yellowing, mildew or moth holes.

3. Refold the dress on different lines at every yearly inspection to avoid stress on the fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Never store a baby dress in an airtight container. Avoid storing dresses in damp basements, near heaters or in cedar chests.

References

• Marilyn Bohn: How to Store Heirloom Clothing the Right Way