Margaret’s Cleaners is Southern California’s awardwinning gown preservation specialist and the nation’s first Five Star Certified Couture Cleaner.® We are very proud to be referred by premier retailers, couture designers and elite bridal salons. Margaret’s recognizes that exceptional garments require exceptional care. We have the fabricare knowledge and experience to protect your investment. We invite you to visit us at www.margarets.com. You will find information regarding our extensive menu of services and an entire section dedicated to our bridal services. As a fabricare specialist, we take your gown care very seriously.
With Pride, We Present a Few Credentials...
F Recognized by Leading Cleaners Internationale as one of the top dry cleaners worldwide.
F The world’s first Five Star Certified Couture Cleaner® as certified by Leading Cleaners Internationale.
F Steve Boorstein, “The Clothing Doctor,” cites Margaret’s Cleaners as an “exceptional dry cleaner.”
F San Diego’s only licensed Wedding Gown Cleaning, Restoration, and MuseumCare™ Preservation Specialist.
F Member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.
F Endorsed by the Association of Bridal Consultants and the National Bridal Service.
Some of Our Awards...
Award of Excellence
Best Dry Cleaner
Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute
San Diego Magazine, La Jolla Light, & La Jolla Village News
People’s Choice Award Preservation, Cleaning, & Alterations from Bridal Insider
Couples’ Choice Award From Wedding Wire (2018 – 2023)
Margaret’s Cleaners provides everything you need prior to the wedding, including minor alterations of the bride and bridesmaids gowns, touch-up cleaning, final pressing, and delivery to the wedding site on your special day for those in our delivery areas..
Couture Alterations
Margaret’s Cleaners employs in-house seamstresses in charge of pre-wedding bridal-related alterations for the finest couture gowns. We highly recommend a final fitting of your gown 2 to 4 weeks prior to the wedding to make sure nothing has changed since you purchased it.
Cleaning & Pressing
Cleaning and pressing or just minor pressing is frequently required prior to your wedding. Also consider the gowns for bridesmaids, garments for parents, children as well as for ushers and the ring bearer.
Site Delivery
Margaret’s Valet Delivery Service™ is available in our Southern California service areas to transport your showroom-ready masterpiece in perfect condition to your wedding site and pick it up after the reception.
PRIOR to your wedding day, remember to schedule an appointment for us to pick up your gown for cleaning and preservation. On the day of your appointment, our client service representative will pick up your gown from the person you have authorized to be responsible for your gown, such as a family member, concierge, etc. At our facility our team of wedding gown professionals will inspect your gown, identify and evaluate stains. With your permission, we will clean and preserve your gown while you enjoy your honeymoon.
Submit an Estimate Request here & Receive $100 Off
Gown Care Tips
For Your Very Special Gown
Always… hang your gown by loops inside the gown that are connected to sturdy side seams, Never hang by fragile shoulder seams that could stretch or sag.
Always… avoid storing your gown in plastic bags or vacuumsealed, plastic wrapped containers. Plastic emits fumes that can yellow the gown and also traps moisture that causes mildew. Before the wedding store your gown in our breathable Legacy Bag.
Always… choose a specialists who personally processes your gown. Never trust it to one who sends your gown elsewhere to be cleaned or preserved.
Always… ask what precautions the specialist takes to protect delicate trims and decorations.
Always… ask how the cleaner guards against latent stains and sugars.
Always… make sure that you are given the option to inspect your gown personally before it is put into the wedding chest, which should be an acid-free box lined with muslin and acid-free tissue. All preservation materials should be certified to be archival quality with no lignin or sulfur present.
Always… avoid storing your gown in an attic, basement or any area subject to extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity. Either one could damage your gown.
We invite you to visit us at margarets.com for more information about our bridal services, Legacy Gown Preservation®, CleanByMail, Vestito Gown Storage and our on-line Gown Estimate Request. In addition, please explore our broad variety of other specialty services.
CleanByMail Nationwide
Margaret’s is a perfect option for Bridal Gown Preservation no matter where you live. We regularly clean and preserve bridal gowns through our CleanByMail® service, which is available nationwide. Following cleaning and preservation, gowns are placed in our heirloom acidfree chest and shipped in a custom box for protection.
Legacy Gown Preservation®
Your wedding gown can be preserved so it can be worn by generations of brides.
Museum conservators expect to extend the lifetime of textiles for 200 years by storing in a truely archivalquality box with acid-free tissue and a cotton-muslin liner.
This is the heirloom system we use after your gown has been expertly cleaned and finished with care.
Our Preservation Procedure
Have your gown cleaned at Margaret’s as soon as possible following the wedding. The longer stains remain on the gown, the more difficult they are to remove and the harder it is on the garment to remove them.
F We thoroughly inspect your gown for stains, wear, age, oxidation, and then test beads and trims for their ability to be cleaned.
F We carefully pre-treat and hand clean your gown.
F We rinse your gown in virgin solvent for as brief a period as needed.
F Our proprietary anti-sugar treatment prevents latent caramelized stains.
F We thoroughly inspect your gown and follow up with post-cleaning stain removal if needed.
F Hand finishing follows. We take extreme care to maintain the designer’s lines and drape.
F We perform a final tightening of beads and trim.
F You may inspect your gown prior to boxing, if desired.
F We carefully package your gown in an archival-quality box, with acid-free tissue and a cotton-muslin liner.
F Your gown never leaves the premises until you take it home with you, unless you have chosen to use Margaret’s Vestito Bridal Gown Storage service.
Proud Member
Our Packaging Materials
Completely archival, our storage box and tissue are acid-free, lignin-free and buffered to remain acid-free. The unstarched, unbleached, and washed cottonmuslin liner serves as a fabric filter and blotter which helps keep moisture away from the gown. A cotton-muslin bag fits over the box to keep the box clean. The bag may be removed and washed as needed to maintain maximum breatheability for the gown.
Restoration
Margaret’s Cleaners is San Diego’s only Certified Restoration Laboratory. Our proprietary processes are the most advanced techniques available for restoring yellowed gowns to their original color.
Storage Tips & Recommendations
Choose a cool, dark, dry place to store your preserved gown. Avoid locations conducive to moisture or excessive heat.
F Never store a gown directly on top of a cement slab, in a basement, or in a closet with an exterior wall.
F Never store in an attic...temperature extremes can cause the fabric to become brittle.
We suggest that you check the gown every two to three years and refold it every three to five years to prevent permanent creases. Otherwise keep handling to a minimum. Skin oils can damage the preservation, so we include white cotton gloves to use whenever you need to handle your gown. Instructions are provided.
Our Restored “Split” Gown
Facts About Archival Garment Storage
& Preservation
F Avoid all plastics. This includes boxes with a plastic viewing window, as well as the plastic bag that shipped over your gown or box. Plastic is chemically unstable and promotes the formation of mold and mildew.
F Do not allow your gown to be packaged in a standard cardboard wedding gown box. It may contain acid that could damage your gown over time. Only archival-quality materials should come into contact with a preserved gown
F Make sure that only white acid-free tissue is used.
F It is impossible to make a cardboard box truly air-tight. In addition, “air tight” is NOT the best way to store fabrics over a long period of time. Any sealed box—whether “hermetically sealed” or “vacuum sealed”—just restricts air flow. All textiles, even synthetics, need good air circulation.
F Be careful if you’re told that opening the “preservation” box will void your warranty. After its preservation, your gown should be checked periodically. Opening the box will NOT void the lifetime warranty on an archival preservation.
Lifetime Warranty
Margaret’s Legacy Gown Preservation includes an international lifetime limited warranty against caramelized stains on the gown. This is honored at over 500 locations worldwide. Margaret’s is proud to be the only specialist to provide this warranty in San Diego and Orange Counties.
Vestito Bridal Gown Storage
For a small monthly fee, Margaret’s will store your gown in a temperature and climate-controlled environment for as long as you wish. Prior to the wedding, your gown can be stored to keep it safe from “prying eyes” and to protect it from getting crushed in a crowded closet. After the wedding, as a perfect addition to our Legacy Gown Preservation service, we will store and inspect your treasure yearly, and refold all the boxed items to prevent permanent creases. 7
Wedding Gown Travel Tips
Traveling with your wedding gown is a huge challenge. It’s bulky and extremely difficult to replace should something unexpected happen to it. Whether you ship your gown in advance or carry with you, avoid any last minute surprises by planning ahead.
F We recommend that you hand carry your bridal gown to your wedding destination instead of entrusting it to a shipper. Direct delivery of the gown to your wedding location following its final pressing is always your best option. If shipping is necessary, plan for the possibility of it requiring touch-up pressing before the wedding.
F If you are traveling by plane, check with the airlines prior to departure to determine their carry-on requirements. If there’s a length limit, you’ll need to fold it over a suit hanger. With professional packing techniques, your gown may not need to be pressed when it arrives to your destination. Consider our Destination Wedding Kit to box the gown yourself.
F Never put your gown in checked luggage! If at all possible, buy an extra plane seat next to you for your gown. Otherwise expect to stow it in the overhead compartment or in the plane’s small closet.
F Pack all your bridal accessories, such as shoes, headpiece, and other items you’ll need into a carry-on bag. Your fiancé may have to carry one of the bags as his one carry-on item. Remember, you’re also going to be carrying a garment bag.
F Carry your wedding jewelry in your purse and never let it out of your sight while traveling. Carry your purse with you wherever you go or have your fiancé be in charge of it during your absence.
F If you are traveling by car, pack your luggage first, then place your gown across the top of bags in the backseat, placing the hanger on your car’s coat hook. Packing your gown in a fabric garment bag, with plastic pulled over it will temporarily protect it from temperature changes and spills which can occur during travel.
Accidents Happen! Have an Emergency Kit!
Margaret’s Bridal Emergency Kit contains many things you will need to make those emergency wedding day repairs. Listed below are some of the items included in our kit, or you can create your own...but let someone else be in charge of it.
• Coupon for $25 off Margaret’s Pre-Wedding Services
• Coupon for $100 off Margaret’s Legacy Gown Preservation
Spills and Stains...Dirt, Grease, Lipstick, Wine & more
The type of material the gown is made of will determine how to treat it. If the gown is made of artificial fiber such as polyester there is much less chance of damaging the material. If the gown is made of silk or rayon, it can be water-sensitive and you can end up with permanent water spots or shine removal.
Shiny dresses, especially silk can become “bruised” if you rub the fabric. Rubbing can change the texture of the shine and is usually irreversible. We hesitate to recommend any attempt to remove stains yourself. Stains should be removed professionally as soon as possible. TAKE NEW PHOTO
(continued)
Tips to Handle The Most Common Bridal Gown Emergencies
Repairs and Mishaps...
An “Emergency Kit” should have everything you will need to stitch or fix wedding day accidents and help you through the special day. In addition to the contents of Margaret’s kit noted on the previous page, include:
F Janie Stick, baking soda or cornstarch
F Needle and thread...pre-threaded with your gowns color thread
F Pearls, sequins, buttons and snaps to match gown
Additional Items You Could Add...
F Antacid F Pepto-Bismol F Antihistamine F Tampons, Pads
F Pain Reliever F Prescriptions F Dusting Powder F Perfume
F Hair Spray F Nail Polish F Hand Wipes F Kleenex
F Toothbrush & Toothpaste F Earring Backs F Make-up
F Extra Pantyhose F Directions to the reception
FPhone numbers & contact names for wedding vendors
More to Consider Regarding Spills and Stains...
There are three types of stains: (1) water soluble (wine, coffee or blood), (2) non-water soluble (lipstick or grease), and (3) both water soluble and non-water soluble (sugar and butter).
If you spill wine or coffee on a polyester gown, dampen a white cloth with water or club soda and gently dab it. On silk gowns, blot with a dry cloth. On both types of materials, camouflage the stain with baking soda, cornstarch, baby powder or a Janie stick. White out and shoe polish are tricky and can actually ruin a silk dress. The Janie Stick helps absorb grease based stains (the ones that are NOT water soluble) and will help to camouflage the other ones.
Blot the stain with a dry white cloth and lightly rub the Janie stick on the spot. Let it sit for a few minutes. Remove the Janie residue with the brush-top cap. Repeat if necessary. When used properly, the Janie Stick will not harm the gown and will hide the stain until it can be professionally cleaned. Stains typically start setting within a week or two, so the sooner you have the gown cleaned after the wedding the better.
Gown Emergencies (continued)...
Broken Bustle
A quick fix is to loop-pin it with a safety pin. Pin five or six safety pins to the underside of your gown where they will not show & will be accessible. It is worth spending a little more to have a French/ Under bustle made, as these are stronger than the Pickups/Over bustle. They do not break as easily.
Torn Strap, Ripped Hem or Seam
Make sure you have a needle and thread the same color as your gown. Safety pins also will work. Tape and staples can damage the gown.
Missing Beads, Sequins or Pearls
It is likely no one will notice if there are just a few of them missing. You should carry some just in case. If there are missing beads, tie a double knot next to the bead and snip off the excess thread.
Snags
DO NOT CUT snags off. This can leave a hole in the material. Simply pull the material back and forth gently, moving and flattening the snag until it shifts back in place.
The Best Scenario?
BE PREPARED for a wedding gown emergency and make sure that someone other than the bride has the items noted above on hand
Other Reminders...
F Allow plenty of time to get dressed (and even more time if it is raining).
F Assign the post-wedding delivery of your gown to be cleaned to a trusted friend or arrange a pick-up or shipment to your cleaner directly from the reception site or hotel.
F Remember to relax and enjoy your special day. Congratulations!
Margaret’s Bridal Services
Gown storage service before the wedding or after preservation
Pressing or clean and press prior to the wedding
Couture bridal gown alterations
Restoration of yellowed, damaged or vintage gowns
Church or site delivery
Nationwide delivery for all types of bridal gowns and accessories
Pickup & Delivery
Complimentary pick-up and delivery is available for our bridal services throughout San Diego & Orange Counties & the Los Angeles/Beverly Hills area.
Store Locations
La Jolla
7511 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 454-2375
San Diego & Main Offices
5150 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 454-2375
Del Mar/Rancho Santa Fe
3790 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-2715 Newport Beach
1831 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 645-5210
Los Angeles
2272 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 470-9200
