We Don’t Just Follow the Standards.
We Help Set Them.
Janet Davis Cleaners has cleaned and preserved wedding gowns on-site in Berkley since 1938. Kyle Matthews, our fifth-generation owner, is the current president of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, the international body that sets the standards for gown care — which means the lifetime guarantee on every gown we preserve is honored by AWGS members in more than 500 cities worldwide, not just by us.
We’re also a certified affiliate of America’s Best Cleaners and a member of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute. Nothing is shipped out. Every gown is cleaned, inspected, and approved by you before it’s boxed.
Wedding Gown Cleaning
Janet Davis Cleaners has cleaned thousands of wedding dresses since opening in 1938. Cleaning wedding gowns is something we do every day, not just once in a while. Each gown is cared for individually, never mixed with regular dry cleaning. We have cleaned gowns of all shapes, styles, and ages. We have many cleaning methods at our disposal, some proprietary. What does all of this mean to you? With our expertise and experience, we possess the necessary skills and knowledge to properly clean your wedding gown while preserving the intricate details that make your gown uniquely yours.
Receive an estimate for your wedding gown cleaning and preservation by Janet Davis Cleaners.
Very detailed oriented! My daughter’s dress was a bit dingy due to it being a floor sample. Upon pick up, it was sparkling white!
– Tina Mow
Major Mold Transformation
When this vintage silk satin wedding dress was stored improperly, it sustained mold damage, yellowing, and wrinkles. The dress owner brought her dress to Janet Davis Cleaners. We successfully restored this lovely dress to its natural state. This image is a side-by-side comparison before and after we treated, cleaned, and de-wrinkled the dress. (Note: The photos were taken with the dress placed in the same spot and same lighting. The photos have not been retouched or altered in any way.)
Interested in seeing more comparisons like these? View featured Before & After images like this in our Wedding Dress Gallery.
Our Cleaning & Steaming Process
Your wedding dress is of a special delicate nature. We take the time to ensure your dress is cared for with detail and the most up-to-date cleaning methods. You can rest assured that your dress is being successfully cleaned the correct way. Our experts will have you looking your best on your special day.
Inspection prior to cleaning
First, before we clean your wedding gown, we perform a close inspection. We check to ensure the care label in the gown applies to the gown (sometimes the care label inside your dress is wrong). We do this by testing a small, inconspicuous part of the gown to make sure the composition and materials of the gown match the label.
Next, we test several beads on the gown to ensure they won’t come off, get damaged, or damage your dress during the cleaning process.
Preparation for cleaning
Based on the inspection results from the first step, we will select the best cleaning method (we have several cleaning methods, all on-site, to choose from) for your gown.
For certain methods, all of the bead work must be covered and any flowers and hoops may have to be removed. Any details that have to be removed are meticulously marked so that they may be properly replaced after cleaning.
Pre-spotting
This is where the bulk of the work happens on your wedding dress. All of the dirty areas and spots are meticulously treated prior to cleaning. This step requires an intimate knowledge of fabrics and spot removal chemistry. A dry cleaning technician will spend an unlimited amount of time on your dress going over every inch. Not every spot and stain can come out, but no expense is spared in trying.
Gown Cleaning
The cleaning phase cleans your entire wedding dress and also flushes out any spotting solutions we used during the pre-spotting phase. Every gown is cleaned individually, never in combination with regular dry cleaning or other wedding gowns to ensure optimal results every time.
Steaming/Pressing
Your wedding gown will be pressed or steamed to remove the wrinkles from the cleaning process. Our technicians have the experience necessary to know how to press or steam (and also when not to press or steam) your wedding gown.
Inspection & Re-assembly
We perform a close inspection to be sure all removable stains are gone. At the time we are re-attaching any flowers or other details that had to be removed prior to cleaning.
Wedding Gown Cleaning FAQs
What does your standard Clean & Steam service include?
Our standard Clean & Steam service provides expert cleaning of your gown, along with the appropriate amount of professional pressing or steaming. Your gown is then
returned on the correct type of hanger for structural support.
Can you clean a dress that has glued-on beads or embellishments?
In many cases, yes. Our specialists are experienced in cleaning garments with delicate embellishments. Glued decorations can present additional challenges because
certain cleaning solvents may affect the adhesive. Sewn-on beads and details are typically more secure, but any embellished garment requires expert care and evaluation.
We carefully assess each piece and select the safest cleaning method to protect both the fabric and its decorative details.
If only a small area is stained, can I just have a spot clean?
For wedding gowns that have been worn we suggest a full cleaning regardless of whether a stain is isolated to a single area like a hem or a corset. A full cleaning ensures that all invisible soiling, such as body oils or clear liquid spills, are addressed before pressing, preventing stains from setting permanently.
My gown has metal-covered buttons; is this an issue?
Typically, the presence of fabric covered metal buttons is not a problem in the cleaning process. Sometimes these will need to be removed before cleaning. We will advise you
during the process if any components need to be temporarily or permanently removed.
Is a deposit required to start the cleaning or preservation service?
Yes, to begin any requested service for your gown, a deposit is required at the time of your drop-off. The remaining balance is due upon completion of services on your gown.
Schedule Your Gown Cleaning
Expertly cleaning your wedding dress with precision and care!