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Dedicated October 2019

Storing Your Dress in Smoker & Pet Friendly Home

Brandi, on June 17, 2019 at 7:54 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 20

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My dress came in this past weekend (and it fits - HALLELUJAH!) but now I have to keep it at home for the next 4 months until the big day (10.26.19). All of my family & wedding party lives at least 4 hours away, so my apartment is the only option. I purchased a cloth bag from David’s Bridal to keep the dress in (which they honestly should provide considering how much you pay for a dress...but that’s another discussion) and made room for it in the very back of my closet as far away from the closet door as possible. My fiancé isn’t going to go snooping, but he is a smoker & we have 2 cats in a 1 bedroom apartment. I’m keeping the cats away from the closet and my fiancé opens the window whenever he smokes, but is that going to be enough? I was already stressed about the dress not fitting (and thank god it did), but now there’s this. As far as I can tell, my other clothes never smell like smoke. Am I just being paranoid & over stressing? Any tips? And no, storing it at someone else’s house or paying even more money than I already spent on the actual dress is not an option.

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Latest activity by Cassi, on June 18, 2019 at 3:36 PM

Master July 2019
Hannah · on June 17, 2019 at 7:58 PM
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That's tough. Can you ask him if he can avoid smoking indoors for the next 4 months? I know that's a big ask. I used to smoke and didn't think I smelled like cigarette smoke, until I quit and realized I was just soooo used to the smell that I didn't notice it. The cats should be fine as long as you keep the closet door closed and keep up with their litter box.
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Expert September 2019
DuttonSandersWedding · on June 17, 2019 at 8:00 PM
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I hate to say it but you need at least a better garment bag. Something that's not cloth because it just absorbs smells. Try asking FH to smoke outside until after the wedding and not in the apartment. Definitely keep the cats away and keep the litter box super clean (and on the opposite side of the appartment).
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VIP September 2019
Trista · on June 17, 2019 at 8:53 PM
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As far as bags go, I'm not sure if it would work, but I would try getting a few of those large dumpster style garbage bags to try and seal your dress in. Probably do a few layers and then keep it in a plastic garment bag. You might be able to Google some ideas as well. Good luck!
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VIP May 2020
Destiny · on June 17, 2019 at 8:58 PM
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My fmil smokes and we have 2 dogs i have 12ish (?) Months till our big day. I have a plastic dress bag that i got for free from a thrift store where i got my dress, and and entire box of fabric sheets in there with it so far no stink
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Champion October 2009
2d Bride · on June 17, 2019 at 9:23 PM
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You do not want to store your wedding dress in plastic. https://www.affordablepreservation.com/must-know-tips-on-storing-your-wedding-dress-before-the-big-day-and-preserving-it-afterwards/ Moving the smoking outdoors and keeping the cats and their litter box away from it are your best bets.
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VIP March 2019
Yoice · on June 17, 2019 at 9:28 PM
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I would personally take a short trip to your family’s house and take the 4 hour drive this weekend and leave the dress there.
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Super August 2022
Lynne · on June 17, 2019 at 9:33 PM
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Can you take it to family or friends and ask them to hold it for you?
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Expert November 2020
Cheryl · on June 17, 2019 at 9:34 PM
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Great article. Thanks for sharing!
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VIP September 2019
Trista · on June 17, 2019 at 9:45 PM
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I take back my comment! Thanks for the article!
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Dedicated August 2019
Misstomorris · on June 18, 2019 at 5:38 AM
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I agree with PP - take the dress elsewhere. I wouldn’t trust a dress in a smoker’s house.
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on June 18, 2019 at 6:07 AM
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You’re not being paranoid because cats and smoke smells are a true concern. But, at the same time, it looks like you answered your own question.... if storing your dress anywhere else isn’t an option, then it will have to stay in your house.

I know those Fabreeze commercials are funny... but being “nose blind” is a real thing. Especially with smoke. It gets into everything if he smokes indoors, regardless of opening a window.
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Devoted October 2020
Alli · on June 18, 2019 at 9:48 AM
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I agree with PPs... ask FH to smoke outside until after the wedding. Your dress is more important than his habit (not being judgmental, I smoked for 10 years and have just recently quit). It's the only real way to keep your dress from smelling. Nose blindness is a REAL thing!
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Dedicated October 2019
Brandi · on June 18, 2019 at 10:15 AM
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Thanks for your feedback ladies! I'm just going to try to respond to everyone in one comment.
- I was just going to keep it in the plastic it came in, but when I picked it up from David's Bridal they mentioned needing to take it out & storing in a cloth garment bag to let the dress material "breath". I didn't know what that meant, but I wasn't going to argue with them...so thanks for the article...it clarifies things. And it feels better knowing I'm not the only one who didn't know this.
- I would bring it to my mom's house (4 hours away), but I still need some alterations done. It would just be too much hassle to bring it to her & then have to go get it when it's time for alterations & possibly have to bring it back to her house once alterations are done. My dad always said moving away from home would be trouble...I don't think this is what he meant, but I'm sure he'd be glad to hear he was right.
- I've been considering asking some friends that live here in New Orleans, but I feel like not being able to have eyes on my dress whenever I want would add to my stress...plus it's the beginning of hurricane season and I don't want to even think about what could happen if we get unlucky this season. I think I'm just doomed to be a stressed out bride.
- My coworker, who's a smoker but NEVER smells like smoke (I only know she does b/c I've seen her w/ a cigarette in hand at lunch) says that to keep her clothes from smelling she sprays her house down w/ Febreze frequently. She suggested spraying the closet periodically, but not the dress directly. I also thought about getting some of those odor neutralizer jars to put around the house, possibly in the closet as well, to keep the smoke & pet smell away from the dress.
Again, thanks for all of yall's help! I really think it helps just to get some of this out of my own head sometimes.
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July 2019
Kate · on June 18, 2019 at 10:46 AM
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Every time I visit my mom, who smokes in a separate room, my family says I smell and I end up having to rewashing my entire suitcase full of clean clothes. I don't notice the smell when I am there but boy is it obvious when my nose is not used to being around it.

I say this with no judgement but I truly think you don't notice your coworker smelling because that smell is on you always. Opening a window helps but unless he's hanging his body out the window (and the wind is in your favor) and he's changing his clothes before entering your apartment, then your apartment-and you, already smells like smoke, you just cannot detect it anymore. Frebreeze may mask the odor if you make your dress smell more like frebreeze than it does smoke but it will not prevent it. I'd risk a plastic bag. Good luck. I sympathize.
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VIP October 2020
Kelly · on June 18, 2019 at 10:59 AM
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David's also offers a cleaning service, maybe you could just get it cleaned before the wedding.
I got cats and smokers too. I've already banned the smokers in my family from smoking indoors as it ruins the walls. And lock the closet doors for the cats.
I did however buy a scented candle from bath and body works, that I liked, it's lemon, took the top off it and put it in the closet with my dress. Dress smells like lemons. Maybe you can do the same? Makes the rest of your clothes smell pretty good too.
Vanilla or something floral strong will hold up and smell bridal on the wedding day too.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on June 18, 2019 at 11:10 AM
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I would store it somewhere else, smoke is SO hard to get out of clothes & walls and I feel like people get used to it if they live with it so they don't notice it. The salon can't store it?
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Super October 2019
Kellie Martinez · on June 18, 2019 at 12:36 PM
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We have similar dates mine is 10/20/2019! Great choice ;D

to be safe, I may ask him to smoke outdoors but I honestly don't think it is going to be a problem if he is already smoking by a window.
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Expert November 2019
Kiley · on June 18, 2019 at 1:19 PM
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Honestly, I would take it in for alterations sooner than later.. Consider it a "free place to store it". Usually you can leave it there until you are ready for it because they tend to press it one last time for the big day. I would see if this is an option at your alterations place.
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Master September 2019
Sherry · on June 18, 2019 at 2:17 PM
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The cat issue, you'll be fine but the smoking...
I moved out of a house that had a smoker and even with keeping things stored in plastic bins, plastic bags, air tight containers etc, EVERYTHING smelled when I left.....EVERYTHING! It will smell like smoke. Even if your fiance stops smoking in the house from now until wedding day, it will still smell like smoke since the smell is already in the house. You cannot smell it because you live in it but everyone else will smell it. I would see if there is a friend, family member or even a close co-worker that can hold it for you. Do you have a space at work you can keep it etc. Good luck!
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Super October 2019
Cassi · on June 18, 2019 at 3:36 PM
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I read in your reply comment that you need to get alterations done? My seamstress doing my alterations is actually holding onto my dress. She will keep it with her from when I go to first appt to a few days before wedding. My FH is a smoker as well and I just wasn't willing to take that risk. My family isn't quite as far and my date is a lot closer but that could be a viable option? Do you know who is doing your alterations?
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