Whether you’re getting married in Perth, the south west or Margaret River, you don’t wont to be snapped with red wine on your dress! Those of you who are responsible for house cleaning may be familiar with Shannon Lush, “the queen of clean” and author of “Spotless”. It’s thanks to her that I can pass on these words of wisdom about how to get out of those messy situations on your wedding day! On your wedding day you’ll encounter all sorts of obstacles waiting to get a feel of that wedding gown, from lip stick, foundation, grubby fingers, even red rose petals can stain a bridal gown. To keep your bridal gown looking fabulous for your wedding photographs here’s an emergency kit to keep on hand and tips on when and how to use it.

Emergency kit items to have on hand: Lavender oil, White vinegar, Dish washing liquid, White spirit, Bathroom soap – white, Tea tree oil, Glycerine, Methylated spirits.

Creases can be removed while the garment is on, – just mix 1 litre of water and a teaspoon of lavender oil in a spray bottle and mist over the dress while on, the creases will just drop away. The yellow pollen from lilies can make a terrible stain. Place some white paper towel under the stained fabric and spray the lavender mix on the stained area, it will go through to the towel below, another wipe on the front surface will remove the stain. Fake tans have been known to ruin dresses. If you still  have excess tan on your skin, simply rub over the skin with a pair of pantyhose and a little lavender oil, and you’ll be left with a golden glow. The additional benefit of having lavender oil on your skin is that it helps to repel mosquitoes and flies, great for an outdoor wedding!

Red wine, not a problem if you have white vinegar on hand. Placed the stained area over a bucket or similar object, pour the white vinegar through the stain, then blot with a white paper towel. Use the same method to remove most coloured food stains eg soy source. White vinegar will also remove toothpaste from fabric.

Foundation make up can be removed by dampening a cotton ball with white spirits and pressing it against the makeup mark, continue to press and rotate the cotton ball until the stain is removed. The same method can be use to remove Texta, Biro, grass stains, tea and coffee.

Greasy marks can be easily removed with a couple of drops of dish washing liquid on the fingertips and rubbed into the mark. Close your eyes while you do this and feel the change to a jelly like consistency, it will only take a couple of second. Then wash the stain out in cold water.

Common bathroom soap (white)is the best way to remove blood stains (sometimes seen on the shirt necks of the groom!). Dip the cake of soap into water and scribble it over the stain, then sponge the mark out with cold water. The same method can be used for vomit.

Resinous materials such as chewing gum, candle wax, Blu Tac, residue from sticky labels can be removed with tea tree oil. Wait for the candle wax to cool, flick off with a fingernail or plastic knife then put a couple of drops of tea tree oil onto a rolled up pair of panty hose and rub in circles to remove the wax.

Glycerine will remove anything that contains tanin, – tea, coffee, fruits (that brown when cut). Simply smear a very small portion of glycerine over the stain and it will be prevented from setting until the until the item can be washed.

Methylated spirits is perfect for removing fresh sweat stains that are left on the armpits of a dress. Simply wipe the area over with methylated spirits on a clean cloth, as it evaporates the sweat stains also disappear.

Remember that a wedding day is like any big event, so prepare well before your wedding day and all will fall into place on the day!

Please note that the above suggestions are recommended in good faith. I would always suggest testing any cleaning agent on a less visible part of a garment first.