How to Care for Your Dresses So They Last
- 5 min reading time
A practical guide to washing, drying, storing, and repairing the dresses in your wardrobe so that they last beyond a single season.
Proper care is the difference between a dress that lasts one season and one that lasts for years. Most fabric damage happens during washing and drying, not during wear. This guide covers how to handle the most common fabrics you will find in our collection and in women's clothing generally.
Read the Label First
Every dress has a care label sewn into the side seam or the neckline. Before washing anything for the first time, take a moment to read it. Care symbols are standardized, and following them is the simplest way to avoid shrinkage, color loss, or fabric damage.
If your label includes a symbol you do not recognize, search for "laundry care symbols guide" online and compare. The most important symbols to know are:
- A tub with a hand in it: Hand wash only.
- A triangle with an X through it: Do not bleach.
- A circle: Dry clean only.
- A square with a circle and lines: Tumble dry (the more dots, the hotter).
- An iron with an X through it: Do not iron.
Washing by Fabric Type
Cotton and Cotton Blends
- Machine wash cold or warm on a standard cycle.
- Turn dresses inside out to protect the outer surface from friction.
- Wash with similar colors. Dark cotton dresses can bleed during the first few washes.
- Tumble dry on low or lay flat. High heat can shrink cotton by 3 to 5 percent.
Polyester and Polyester Blends
- Machine wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle.
- Avoid hot water, which can permanently set wrinkles and damage synthetic fibers.
- Tumble dry on low or hang to dry. Polyester dries quickly without heat.
Chiffon and Georgette
- Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent.
- If machine washing, use a mesh laundry bag and the delicate cycle only.
- Lay flat to dry on a clean towel. Do not wring or twist.
- Do not tumble dry.
Satin
- Hand wash in cool water with a mild, fragrance-free detergent.
- Do not soak for more than 10 minutes.
- Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.
- Iron on the lowest setting with a cloth between the iron and the fabric to protect the shine.
Lace
- Hand wash only. Use a mild detergent in cool water.
- Do not rub or scrub. Swish the garment gently for a few minutes and rinse.
- Press between two clean towels to remove water, then lay flat to dry.
- Store flat rather than hanging to prevent stretching.
Sequin and Embellished
- Most sequin dresses are dry clean only.
- If the label allows hand washing, use cool water and a mild detergent. Avoid detergents with enzymes, which can loosen sequin adhesive.
- Lay flat to dry, face down, on a clean towel.
- Store in a breathable garment bag to protect neighboring pieces in your closet.
Silk and Silk Blends
- Silk should be dry cleaned or hand washed in cool water with a silk-specific detergent.
- Never twist or wring silk. Roll it in a towel to remove excess water.
- Hang to dry away from direct sunlight.
- Iron on silk setting or with a pressing cloth.
Drying and Ironing
Most fabric shrinkage happens in the dryer, not in the washer. When in doubt, hang or lay flat to dry. If you do use a dryer:
- Use the lowest heat setting.
- Remove the dress while slightly damp to reduce wrinkles and protect elasticity.
- Avoid drying delicate fabrics together with heavy items like towels or jeans.
When ironing, always start on the lowest setting and increase gradually. Test on a hidden seam or the inside hem before pressing on the main surface. For synthetic fabrics, iron with a pressing cloth or on the reverse side.
Storage
How you store a dress affects its shape more than people realize.
- Hang: Most standard dresses (cotton, polyester, jersey) hang well. Use padded hangers or wooden hangers with wide shoulders.
- Fold flat: Heavy beaded, sequin, or knit dresses should be folded and stored flat in a drawer or box to avoid stretching.
- Use garment bags for formal dresses, sequin pieces, and anything you wear only occasionally. Breathable cotton or muslin bags are better than plastic.
- Keep your closet dry and cool. Moisture causes mildew. A small dehumidifier or silica gel packs help in damp rooms.
- Separate by length if you have space. Hanging maxi dresses in a taller section prevents the hem from dragging or creasing.
Stain Removal Basics
The sooner you treat a stain, the higher the chance of removing it. A few rules that work for most fabrics:
- Do not rub. Blot stains with a clean white cloth. Rubbing can push the stain into the fibers.
- Cold water first. Hot water can set certain stains permanently, especially protein-based stains like blood or egg.
- Oil and grease: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the fresh stain, leave for 10 minutes, brush off, then wash normally.
- Red wine: Blot with cold water, apply a small amount of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (test on a hidden area first), then rinse.
- Makeup (foundation, lipstick): Micellar water on a cotton pad is often enough for light stains before washing.
- Deodorant marks: A clean dry sponge or nylon mesh ball rubbed gently over the mark usually removes it before washing.
When to Use a Professional
Some items are worth the cost of professional dry cleaning:
- Heavily beaded or sequin dresses
- Silk formal gowns
- Wedding guest dresses you plan to wear more than once
- Structured or tailored pieces with interior lining
A good local dry cleaner can also repair small tears, re-sew hems, and replace broken zippers for less than the cost of replacing the dress.
Final Note
Treat your dresses as investments in your wardrobe, not disposable items. A dress that is washed correctly, stored well, and repaired when needed can last 5 to 10 years of regular wear.
If you have questions about caring for a specific Aria New York dress or are not sure what the fabric label means, you can send the product name or your order number to info@aria-newyork.com. We respond within 24 hours.