How to Clean a Wedding Veil (Steps)

Knowing how to clean your wedding veil is crucial to maintaining its beauty and ensuring it lasts as a cherished keepsake.

Cleaning a wedding veil is a delicate process that requires careful attention to preserve the fabric an any embellishments. If you aren’t feeling confident or if your veil is embellished, we always recommend brides have their veil professionally cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding to remove any stains or dirt. If you wish to clean your veil yourself, we’ll share below our tips and advice on how to clean a wedding veil and to bring it back to its former glory.

Steps on how to clean a wedding veil

1. Assess the veil

Always handle the veil with clean hands to avoid transferring oils or dirt onto the fabric.

Before any cleaning can commence, it’s important to check the fabric type, any embellishments (such as beads, sequins, 3D flowers or lace), and the extent of stains or damage. Different fabrics require different care, so it’s important to know what you’re working with. Take some time to research online how to best work with your specific fabric as synthetic fibres may respond differently to natural fibres.

If you’re unsure about cleaning your veil at home or if it has significant stains or damage, consider taking it to a professional cleaner who specialises in bridal wear.

For older or heirloom veils, professional cleaners may conduct a fibre test to ensure that the fabric can withstand the cleaning process without damage.

2. Spot clean with a gentle cleaning solution

Look for specific stains or spots that need attention, such as makeup, dirt or food stains. These stains should be targeted separately with the appropriate solution. Professionals will use specialised, gentle cleaning solutions tailored to the veil’s fabric to pre-treat and remove stains.

Generally speaking, a mild detergent mixed with luke warm water can be effective and removing most dirt stains. To do so, dip a clean, white cloth into the solution and gently dab the stained area. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain or damage and/or tear the fabric.

After treating the stain, use a separate cloth dampened with clean water to gently blot away any soap residue.

3. Hand wash the veil

Submerging a veil in water is only recommended where there are no embellishments on the veil and the veil is in good condition. This process loosens dirt and removes general grime.

Prepare a bath or a large basin with lukewarm clean water and add a small amount of mild detergent (such as a gentle fabric wash)
Gently submerge the veil in the soapy water, ensuring the comb doesn’t get wet. Wetting the comb can damage the stitching that holds the veil to the comb. Gently swirl it around to help loosen dirt without scrubbing or wringing the fabric.
Let the veil soak for about 15-20 minutes, giving the detergent time to work on any dirt or stains.
Do not wash your veil in a washing machine, even on a gentle cycle it will rip and damage your veil.

Some veils, particularly those with intricate embellishments or made from delicate materials like silk, may be dry cleaned using a solvent-based process that is safe for fragile fabrics. Embellished veils are best left to the experts.

4. Rinse the veil

Drain the soapy water and refill the tub or basin with clean, lukewarm water. Gently rinse the veil until all soap residue is gone. You may need to rinse several times to ensure all detergent is removed to ensure the veil doesn’t yellow or degrade over time.

5. Drying the veil

Lay the veil flat on a clean, dry towel and gently roll the towel to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist the veil, as this can damage the fabric.

Unroll the towel and lay the veil flat on a new, dry towel or hang it up to air dry. Ensure the veil is away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can cause discolouration or damage.

6. Steaming or ironing (if needed)

If your veil has wrinkles, use a handheld steamer to gently remove them. Hold the steamer a few inches away from the fabric and move it slowly to avoid water spots.

If you don’t have a steamer, you can use an iron on the lowest heat setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the veil. Be extremely cautious and avoid ironing over embellishments.

7. Storing the veil

Once clean and dry, store your veil in a breathable garment bag. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause yellowing.

If you wish to store your veil in a box, place the veil in a breathable, archival quality box designed to protect it from light, dust and humidity. ensure the box is lined in acid-free tissue paper.

For long term preservation, professional cleaners may use additional preservation techniques, such as vacuum sealing the box to prevent air exposure or using UV-protective materials.

Need personalised styling advice?

Feel free to send us an email with photos of your wedding dress and bridal hairstyle and we would be happy to send you recommendations and ideas via email.

Every wedding gown and bride is different and the perfect accessories for you will not only depend on your gown but your personal style, vision, height and style. We love to work with our brides to create the perfect customised wedding veil that you will love to keep as an heirloom after your wedding day. We are based in Australia and ship worldwide.