Q&A with Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: is club soda a miracle worker?

Happy Friday, Readers!

Welcome to the another session of reader questions, answered with care and expertise by Lynda, Rick, and Jordan. Today, our reader wants to know if an age-old tip really works:

Question: "I am going to a lot of formal parties and events this season, so I am breaking out some of my favorite dresses. I love the holidays, but it seems as though whenever I wear a great piece to a party I spill on it. What's the best way to handle this? I have heard of dabbing club soda on the stain, but is there another solution I should be using?"--Karyn {Chicago, IL}

Answer:  

Well-meaning friends generally reach for the club soda bottle and a napkin on the way to the aid of wine- or makeup-stained dresses, but our overwhelming response is absolutely do not use club soda.  In fact, the safest answer to your question is do not put anything at all on the stain.

Why?  Well, essentially there are two types of stains, those that can be broken down with water (known professionally as water soluble stains) and those that can only be broken down with chemical solutions (known professionally as solvent soluble stains). Lipstick and most make-up stains can only be removed by chemical solutions, so the only result of applying club soda to that type of stain is creating two stains: the original make-up stain and a second problem--the dreaded club soda stain ring.

I guess you are now thinking that since a wine stain would be classified as water soluble, you can successfully utilize the club soda to remove wine.  Our answer is NO once again.  Even though wine stains can be broken down by water, applying club soda on a wine stain would most likely only serve to spread the original wine stain and once again leave the dreaded club soda ring.  

Applying the club soda can also cause another problem. Typically, the group of good Samaritans surrounding the dress wait with baited breath as the “fabricare doctor” guest begins rubbing the fabric in the affected area with a damp cloth, while continuing to pour the club soda on the stain.  Unfortunately the doctor unintentionally has more than likely permanently damaged the finish of the fabric and possibly caused color loss.  

What to do?  Usually by the time stains occur at the party, you're halfway into the night.  Blot (do not rub) your stains with a white cotton napkin, and enjoy every remaining moment of the evening. As soon as you can, take the dress to a trusted professional. 

Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…

Special thanks to Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for stopping by and helping out! And don't forget to email, tweet, or Facebook us any questions you may have. We'll pick the best to feature right here. 

the most important dress of your life

Writing about weddings has allowed me to live vicariously through the best and worst of brides' and their guests' stories. Every girl deserves a perfect day, but no one can plan for everything--there are always details out of the bride and groom's control. Which is why elements that can be planned and cared for beforehand, like the bride and her party's dresses, are of the utmost importance. 

So where does a gal begin to make her checklist of necessary steps? Wedding planners and friends are great resources because they'll be able to share what worked for them, and--most importantly--what didn't. And when it comes to caring for the most beautiful--and chances are, most expensive!--garment of your life, Davis Imperial is one name that tends to pop up repeatedly, since they offer an extensive list of quality services many brides don’t even know are available. Below is a quick snapshot of how they can help make your day as dreamy and stress-free as possible. 

1. Fit and Style 

--Unless you had your dress custom made for you (lucky lady!), it will need some alterations. Davis Imperial's wedding gown coordinator works in collaboration with a seamstress to provide --in meticulous detail-- whatever minor or major alterations are needed. Whether it is a simple hem or a complete restoration and re-styling of a vintage piece, they'll care for your dress as though it were a priceless heirloom--which, with the right care, it will be some day.

2. Appearance

--It's your big day, your girls are gathered around, and suddenly you realize the dresses you picked for them look perfect...except for the fact that they wrinkle easier than tin foil. Davis Imperial not only offers pressing services for the entire party, going so far as to deliver the gowns to the event location, but they also offer on-location experts that can tend to all the dresses in the party whether it's right before you walk down the aisle, or right before you walk into the reception.

3. Preservation 

This is one of the lesser-known (or anticipated) steps for newly-engaged gals, since it happens after the ceremony, but it is one of the most important, and could make or break the chances of a dress surviving the test of time. When it comes to cleaning your dress and ensuring it will look brand new for your daughter or granddaughter someday, Davis Imperial's trademarked MuseumCare™ Preservation is second to none. And they're recommended by the Chicago History Museum--an entire brand whose identity relies on ensuring dated items retain their quality. 

Their Clean Room Preservation Laboratory and Museum Inspection Area--located on site--allows their technicians to carefully inspect every inch of a garment, identifying areas soiled by stains detrimental to fabric if ignored.  Stains such as white wine and champagne that dry clear and are invisible to the naked eye are located, identified and hand cleaned by Davis technicians that have been with their company over 35 years.  This meticulous procedure prevents the dreaded yellow stains that would eventually surface, and gradually darken to black, completely degrading the fabric. 

After hand cleaning, the gown is hand-ironed following the designer's line and drape, and then packaged in 100% acid-free (including the wedding chest!) archival quality packaging. White cottons gloves are included with the preservation (in order for the bride to be able to handle her gown without transferring oils and salt from her hands to the gown). No sealed boxes with little windows here! Preservations are accomplished the same way that the Museum Conservation Institute of the Smithsonian Institution and The Chicago History Museum preserve textiles.  This type of preservation is classified as an open preservation, which allows for natural fibers to breathe, and allows viewing of the gown over time.

To learn more about the full list of Davis Imperial pre- and post-services available to the bride and her wedding party, click here. 

…And don't forget to join us back here on Friday, when Lynda, Rick, and Jordan stop by to answer reader questions!

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