The large square of silk net edged in pale satin ribbon was improperly stored and had faded, but the material had not deteriorated. It would be another few years before that same veil found use again: as a canopy at a great-granddaughter’s wedding. The veil is no longer stuffed into a little bag, but properly wrapped and boxed in archival materials.

“There is nothing frivolous about my work, ” said Jonathan Scheer, the owner of J. Scheer & Co. in New York, which cleans and preserves wearable textiles. The cost for this service can be $595 to $895. “Seeing your mother’s wedding gown years later promotes family history,” he said. “It encourages discussions between generations about time, place and cultural and religious customs.”

Patricia Grunebaum of Bedford, N.Y., was married 20 years ago in a gown by Catherine Walker, the London designer. After the wedding, her dress was professionally cleaned and boxed for preservation. When the box was opened recently, she learned the preservation work was not done properly. Her gown was stuffed with blue tissue paper, which could have caused staining if moisture had seeped into the box.

“My wedding was so important to me, it seemed a fitting tribute to preserve the gown,” said Mrs. Grunebaum, who has two teenage daughters. “I’m sure I’ll show them the dress when they are ready to marry and give them the option to wear it.” But she thinks her gown, a classic model, is not trendy enough for her daughters. “I don’t think a gown is really an heirloom like a ring or a piece of furniture. But it’s a moment to preserve, and a very important memory.”

John-Claude Hallak, an owner of Hallak Cleaners in New York, believes that however well you preserve a gown, proper cleaning of visible and invisible stains (like Champagne, which doesn’t show up right away but can discolor a garment) is most important. “Garbage in and garbage out,” he said.