Between galas, holiday balls and black-tie dinners, formal gowns come out of the closet in November and December. They are also the garments people leave to the last minute, because a gown seems like it should be quick. It is not.
Here is how long gown cleaning takes and how to plan around it.
How Long Gown Cleaning Takes
Plan on 3 to 5 days for a gown. That is longer than a standard dry cleaning order, because gowns are handled by hand and need more care in cleaning and finishing.
If the Gown Needs Altering
Alterations on dresses take 7 to 10 business days. If the gown also needs cleaning, the two steps happen one after the other, so add the times together.
Tell Us About the Fabric and the Details
Beads, sequins, chiffon, velvet and silk all behave differently. When you bring a gown in:
- Point out any stains, even faint ones, and tell us what caused them.
- Tell us if anything has been treated at home.
- Mention the event date so we can give you an honest timeline.
We will tell you what cleaning can do for the gown before we begin, and we will not promise that a set-in stain will lift.
Bring It In and Store It Well
Bring the gown in a garment bag if you have one, or carry it over your arm instead of folding it. At home, keep it in a breathable garment bag, not plastic, and away from direct light.
If you are cleaning a wedding gown, that is a different process with its own care. See our wedding gown cleaning guide.
A Simple Drop-Off Plan
- Gown that only needs cleaning: drop off at least two weeks before the event.
- Gown that needs altering: drop off three weeks ahead, or four if it also needs cleaning.
- Event is closer than that: call first. We will tell you what is realistic.
Our hours shift around the holidays, so call ahead in the busy weeks.
When to Let Us Handle It
A gown is worth getting right the first time. Bring it in early, tell us what you need, and we will give you an honest answer on timing and on what cleaning can and cannot do.
Schedule a pickup or sign up for Vogue Valet today and enjoy expertly cared-for clothes without the hassle.
