Vinyl garment bags are ideal to protect your Christening garment from dust and dirt during shipping and storage while in the retail outlet. However, chemicals in vinyl can cause damage over several years. Textiles need to "breathe" in order to last a long time without fading or turning yellow. Metal zippers can cause damage also. If you intend to keep your Christening garment for the next generation, you need to seriously consider preserving it.
We recommend the following:
1. Have the garment cleaned and then store it in a 100% cotton preservation bag with a 100% padded cotton hanger.
2. Most importantly, plan ahead. Make sure that a bib or cover is available at all times except during the actual Christening and picture taking. Remove the garment from the child as soon as possible after the Christening. Stains need to be removed within 48 hours. Plan ahead whether you will be cleaning the garment yourself or taking it to a dry cleaner.
3. Examine the garment in bright sunlight to identify any stains that might be present. Mark stains with a pin and let the dry cleaner know the makeup of each stain.
4. If the garment is hand or machine washable you can remove most stains at home before washing. If it is an organic stain (formula, baby food) you can use an enzyme cleaner. Avoid chemicals unless you know they can be used in connection with longterm storage.
5. Make sure the garment is washed well after stain remover is used as many stain removers will leave yellow spots if not completely removed.
6. Do not use any starch, bleach, conditioning agents or finishing chemicals.
7. If the stain is unknown or oil based such as lipstick, crayon, etc., we recommend professional removal. Let the dry cleaner know that you intend to preserve the garment. If the garment is silk, ask the dry cleaner if they have experience cleaning silk. Get referrals and ask about guarantees and what happens if the drycleaner ruins the garment.
8. Once the garment has been cleaned, place it on a 100% padded cotton hanger in a 100% cotton preservation bag and hang the garment away from extreme temperatures (outside walls, heaters, basements, attics, etc.) We recommend that the garment remain unfolded and uncreased. You can store the bib and blanket with the garment but don't store the shoes with the garment unless you are sure the shoes are sewn only and not glued. Remove any pins.
9. If hanging the garment in is not possible, the next best thing is to store it (in the cotton bag) in a polypropylene storage container under the bed. These can be found at most department stores. Look for a "PP" in a triangle which signifies polypropylene. If the garment must be folded, try to take it out every so often and refold it in a different way.
