PRESERVING SENTIMENTAL VALUE We Can Restore Wedding Dresses!
Sentimentality often plays a huge role in a wedding, and for some brides, that means wearing a family heirloom wedding dress. Unfortunately, not all dresses are stored properly — or were never cleaned after being worn — and they may be dirty, dingy, and discolored after years of storage.
As we write this, fire season is in full swing across the United States. Smoke from those wildfires drifts through thousands of cities and millions of homes each summer, aggravating asthma and causing coughing fits. If your house is in an affected area — or you’d just like to ensure that your family is breathing the cleanest, healthiest air possible — this cheap, easy, DIY air filter has your back. WHAT YOU NEED Making a DIY air filter is incredibly simple. All you need is a box fan, a HEPA filter (cheap pleated filters from Winix or FilterBuy work perfectly), and something to attach the filter to the fan, like duct tape, canvas straps, sturdy ribbon, zip ties, or clamps. Use whatever attachment material you have on hand! A screwdriver and four screws are optional. You should be able to find all of the necessary materials at your local hardware store for $25–$50. BUILD YOUR BOX FAN FILTER You’ve probably guessed how this project will come together! First, lay your fan intake side up and cover the front grate with the HEPA filter. Then, use your canvas straps, clamps, or duct tape to attach the filter to the fan! If you have a screwdriver handy, unscrew the front grating of the box fan before adding the filter, then replace it with the HEPA filter and strap the two together. For a super-sturdy method, screw the filter in place with or without removing the grid. There you have it! You’ve created a filter that will remove dust, smoke, lint, pet dander, and pollen from your home. TIPS AND TRICKS If you’re a visual learner, YouTube is a great resource for this hack! Just search “DIY Air Filter,” and you’ll get dozens of results. One video, “DIY Air Filter | Box Fan Modification | Cleaner Air for Your Home!” even reveals how to use J-channel to make it easy to change out the HEPA filter over time. With a DIY Box Fan Filter! Keep Your Home’s Air Clean on the Cheap
At Janet Davis Cleaners, we have experience helping brides and their families dramatically restore wedding dresses to original or near-perfect conditions. Some of our favorite moments as a business include memories of helping families restore these priceless heirlooms. Here are some of the best! A FLOOD TRIES TO DESTROY AN AMELIA CASABLANCA WEDDING GOWN Silk can be one of the most difficult materials to restore, as aging can take a heavy toll on it. (And old silk dresses were never truly white. Only recently has silk been dyed brighter after it was harvested.) When we received a beautiful, unique Amelia Casablanca silk gown in need of restoration after a basement flood had left it stained and covered in mold, we knew we had our work cut out for us. But we couldn’t let this bride down. With a series of slow controlled baths, we were able to remove all traces of yellowing and mold growth from the dress. In fact, afterward, there was no evidence of the damage — returning this priceless gown back to its original state! A 1950'S SILK GOWN IS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE Once again, battling age on a silk gown is difficult, but it’s not impossible. When we received a wedding dress from the 1950s, mold was growing along the neckline and the bottom of the dress. In fact, flecks of mold could be found across the entirety of the dress. We very carefully cleaned this dress, removing the mold build-up and returned it to its original state. You can even see a major color difference! This wedding season, we urge all brides to preserve their wedding dresses properly and professionally to avoid discoloration and mold build-up. However, if you or someone you know is in need of a wedding dress restoration, please call us today. We’re happy to help you preserve this family heirloom.
This DIY box fan filter isn’t as sturdy or effective as a fancy purifier, but it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
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