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About the Expert

Southside Cleaners has been family owned and operated since 1962. After growing up in the family business, Lauren Respess earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University before returning full time to Southside Cleaners in 2003. Lauren is the third generation of her family to specialize in Wedding Gown cleaning and preservation and is one of only a few U.S. drycleaners who has earned all three professional certifications from the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute: Certified Professional Dry Cleaner, Certified Professional Wet Cleaner, and Certified Environmental Dry Cleaner - becoming a Certified Garment Care Professional.

In addition, Lauren has earned awards for her exceptional stain removal abilities and has been featured in numerous trade publications for her specialized cleaning techniques.

Important Question and Answers

  • Where will the work on my gown be done?

    • This is important! We’ve all heard the horror stories of girls who sent their gown off to a warehouse to be preserved and got the wrong one back. Please rest assured, your gown doesn’t leave our downtown Lakeland location. All cleaning and preservation is done on site by hand. We also have a state-of-the-art tracking system to completely eliminate any questions as to which dress belongs to which bride. The same tracking system is used for veils, garters, and any other items that you may wish to have cleaned and preserved.

  • Will my gown be cleaned individually?

    • Yes! All gowns are hand cleaned individually by our wedding gown specialist. Your gown will not be put in a machine with other gowns or other clothing. Each gown is individually scrutinized and inspected for any stains, dirt, blemishes, loose beads, etc.

  • Can I inspect the gown before it is preserved and boxed?

    • We actually encourage you to come see your gown before it is preserved. We take pride in our work and love to see our customers satisfied.

  • Will my gown be sealed in plastic?

    • Your gown is never sealed and the box can be opened at any time. Years ago dresses were vacuum sealed but time has taught us that that is not an effective method of preservation. Your gown will be packaged with acid-free, museum quality materials to ensure that it will last a lifetime.

  • What kind of guarantee am I offered?

    • As a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialist we offer an international guarantee against yellowing and caramelized stains. Opening your wedding chest does not void the guarantee. Any member of the Association will honor this guarantee. Members are located in over 500 cities around the world.

    Questions? Comments?

    We’d love to hear from you!
    Association of Wedding Gown Specialists
    INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE:
    Members of the Association of Wedding Gown

    Specialist are represented in more than 500 cities around the world. Return your gown to any participating Wedding Gown Specialist who will inspect and press the gown at no charge.