Maintaining freshness and vibrancy in your velvet furniture
You have purchased the most stunning velvet sofa, chair or other piece of furniture which complements your room exquisitely. However, you were thinking style over substance.
As pretty as velvet may appear to be, it can be far from practical. As vulnerable as velvet may be when it comes to maintaining this fabric, here are some tips to look after your silky smooth furnishings.
Image source: Greige Design Blog
What type of velvet furniture do I have?
First of all, you need to identify what ‘type of velvet’ your item of furniture actually is.
Velvet that has been produced by synthetic materials (also known as velveteen) is much easier to clean as it these types of fibres are less likely to suffer damage from cleaning then the cotton, silk or wools. It is advised that you are either extremely careful when cleaning your velvet furniture or that you hire a professional to do it for you, as velvet is very delicate.
You will likely be able to tell the difference of fabric when you feel it. If you are struggling to classify the material, contact the store or manufacturer where you purchased the furniture.
How often do I need to clean my velvet furniture?
It is recommended that you stay on top of cleaning your furniture on a weekly basis, to avoid dust or stains sinking deep into the fabric.
How do I clean my velvet furniture?
Before you even begin to research homemade remedies or alternative methods of easily and effectively cleaning your velvet furniture, search for the cleaning code. This may be on any of the cushions that were bought alongside your sofa or chair; if not check the furniture itself. Typically the code is a letter; velvet is usually a code ‘S’ which means it must only be dry cleaned and ideally kept away from water. If you still have no luck, call the store or manufacturer where your furniture was acquired from.
There have been many ways in which you can successfully clean your velvet furnishings without any damage. Nevertheless, the best way is to use a clean cloth to remove any dust or dirt from the surface. The next step is to lightly vacuum the fabric with the nozzle that is specifically designed to work on furniture; this will remove any debris that the cloth failed to pick up. If you find creases in it, use a steam cleaner to achieve the best results.
What if I have a stain on my velvet furniture?
Tackle the stain immediately. Like all stains, the longer you leave it, the worse it will become to remove. You will need to gently dab a wet stain with a cloth so that any liquid is absorbed; if you apply too much pressure on the cloth you may spoil the fabric. You can then either buy a dry cleaning product or create a homemade cleaner using warm water and a few drops of dish-washing detergent. Once the solution has been shaken and suds appear, apply the mixture carefully onto the stain. After you clean the stain, let it dry for a few hours before brushing until the fabric returns to its ordinary appearance.
If you have any more questions about cleaning your velvet furniture, please give us a call on
01254 268590.