Tips for Cleaning Velvet Upholstery

Mary Marlowe Leverette is a renowned authority in housekeeping and fabric care, renowned for her expertise in effective housekeeping, laundry practices, and textile preservation. With more than four decades of gardening experience, she is a certified Master Gardener and has spent over 20 years honing her writing skills. Additionally, she serves on the Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Duration: 15 minutes to 8 hours

• Proficiency Level: Moderate
• Projected Expense: $0-5

Previously exclusive to nobility and the affluent, velvet furniture, originally crafted from silk, is now accessible to all, allowing anyone to enhance their decor with a touch of sophistication. This type of furniture is soft, vibrantly colored, and fairly simple to maintain.

Before buying velvet furniture, it’s important to check the fiber composition of the velvet and examine the care instructions on the cleaning tag.

Contemporary velvets are crafted from a blend of cotton and synthetic materials, making them ideal for everyday use, particularly in households with children and pets. This is because modern synthetic velvet is more effective at resisting stains compared to cotton or silk velvet.

Maintaining the beauty of velvet furniture doesn’t necessitate any specialized products or tools, but it does require a bit of patience and time. Here are some tips to ensure your velvet furniture remains stunning.

Requirements You’ll Need

Devices / Instruments

• Vacuum cleaner equipped with an upholstery nozzle.
• Garment steamer
• Microfiber fabric
• Whisk
• Average-sized bowl
• Blunt knife or spatula

Materials

• Dish soap
• Absorbent paper sheets

Instructions

A Guide to Effectively Cleaning Your Velvet Upholstery

Weekly Vacuuming

The most effective tools for cleaning velvet upholstery with a vacuum are the upholstery or dusting brush, along with the crevice tool.

• Begin at the top of the chair or sofa with the upholstery brush, and systematically work your way down in a grid pattern to ensure that every section is addressed.
• The brush will help dislodge the dust and dirt, making it easier to vacuum up.
• Utilize the narrow attachment to remove dirt from the spaces between and beneath the cushions, as well as the gaps between the cushions and the armrests.
• Remember to clean the exterior of the furniture and the areas beneath it with a vacuum.

Utilize steam to eliminate wrinkles.

• Utilize a gentle heat setting to prevent harming the fibers.
• Keep the steam nozzle a few inches away from the material and glide it in a grid pattern over the affected spots.
• Always ensure the steam is in constant motion.
• Gently run your hand against the nap in the reverse direction to assist in smoothing out the wrinkles.

Tip

If you lack a clothes steamer, a steam iron can serve as a suitable alternative. Simply fill the iron with water and select the steam option. It’s important to maintain a distance of at least six inches between the iron’s plate and the velvet. Avoid letting the iron come into direct contact with the fabric, as this can create a permanent mark.

Target Stains Directly

When a spill occurs, use the edge of a blunt knife to carefully remove any solid particles. After that, use paper towels to blot up the liquid. Continue to switch to fresh towels until the moisture is fully absorbed. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can push the liquid further into the fibers.

• For targeted stain removal, combine a few drops of dish soap with two cups of warm water.
• Utilize a whisk to generate foam.
• Soak a microfiber cloth in clean water and squeeze it out until it is moist.
• Soak a moist cloth in the foam and softly dab the stained spot.
• Continue to shift to a fresh section of the fabric as the stain gets absorbed.
• Let the area dry naturally, then use your hand or a steamer to separate any tangled fibers.

Arrange for a thorough cleaning.

Eventually, there will be a moment when your furniture requires a thorough cleaning, resulting in a more uniform color for the upholstery compared to ongoing spot cleaning. When that moment arrives, consider contacting professional furniture cleaning services.

Frequency of Cleaning Velvet Upholstery

Like all types of upholstered furniture, velvet requires weekly vacuuming to eliminate dust that can damage the fibers and create an unpleasant smell in the fabric. Depending on the frequency of use, employing a clothes steamer can help rejuvenate the pile, preventing the velvet from becoming flattened over time.

Address spills immediately by dabbing them with paper towels. Use a blunt knife to gently lift off any solid residues—avoid rubbing!

When your furniture starts to appear lackluster or reveals dirt and grime, particularly in high-traffic spots, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning.

Suggestions for Maintaining the Cleanliness of Velvet Upholstery for an Extended Period

• Address spills and stains immediately after they occur.
• Clean the upholstery with a vacuum on a weekly basis to eliminate dust and debris.
• Utilize steam to elevate any tangled sections and eliminate wrinkles.
• Before using any cleaning products, test them in an inconspicuous spot to ensure they do not alter the color of the velvet.
• Avoid placing velvet furniture in direct sunlight. If that’s not possible, use throws to shield the exposed surfaces from the sun.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

For a thorough cleaning of your velvet furniture, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. Experts in upholstery cleaning or dry cleaning possess greater expertise, advanced equipment, and can complete the task more efficiently than you might be able to on your own.

The dimensions and composition of the furniture play a crucial role in determining its price. For instance, the typical expense for a professional couch cleaning ranges from approximately $150 to $200.

Can water damage a velvet sofa?

Velvet is a sensitive fabric that struggles with excessive moisture, making it risky to clean a velvet sofa with a lot of water. To maintain its integrity, it’s better to use a slightly damp cloth that has been lightly soaped, ensuring that you minimize the amount of liquid applied to the velvet.

Which products are most effective for spot cleaning?

Mishaps occur. If you accidentally spill something on your velvet couch, grab some dish soap. Mix a few teaspoons with water until you create a frothy lather. Next, take a damp cloth, dip it into the suds, and softly blot the velvet stain. If you don’t have dish soap on hand, you can alternatively use a few teaspoons of a gentle shampoo or a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.