Velvet upholstery brings elegance to any interior decor. While it was once reserved for royalties and the very wealthy, nowadays velvet furniture is available to anyone. If you have a liking for fancy/extravagant home decor, you will love a velvet sofa in your beautiful living room. Velvet fabric is usually bright coloured, plush, and relatively easy to take care of.
There are different types of velvet fabrics that will suit different lifestyles better. If you are going to use your velvet sofa on a daily basis, and have pets or children, it is best if you choose velvet made from synthetic fibres. The other type of velvet is woven from cotton fibres and will hold onto stains and dirt more than synthetic velvet. What is more, synthetic velvet furniture will keep its colour much longer.
While cleaning velvet upholstery is not a hard task, it takes some patience and time but if you don’t have that time you can always ask for help from professional cleaners. You will not need any special tools or products but keep reading to find out how to take care of it in the best way possible.
The first step to maintaining your velvet furniture in beautiful and clean condition is regular vacuuming. Once a week, when you do your usual routine, make sure you thoroughly vacuum your upholstery. That step is of crucial importance when it comes to velvet, since built-up dust may mat the fibres and create a stale odour.
Depending on how often the piece of furniture is used, you can simply vacuum it or use a clothes steamer to lift the fibres and restore them to their prime condition. If any stains or spills occur, make sure to tend to them as soon as possible. Never rub them in, instead gently dab them.
- Always vacuum
Use your upholstery vacuum attachment. They usually come with a brush that will help you lift and remove all the dust that can be found in all crevices of the upholstery. Start at the top and work your way down. Make sure you also vacuum the upholstery pillows, as well as under, behind, and between them. - Use a steam cleaner to get rid of creases
Velvet upholstery is prone to creasing. When not removed on time, those can become permanent. The easiest way to get rid of creases on your velvet fabric is to use a handheld clothes steamer. If you are working with a synthetic fibre velvet, make sure you use the tool in a low heat setting, in order to prevent damaging and melting the fabric. Keep the steamer moving over the creased areas and brush the fibres in the opposite direction to restore their beautiful condition.If you don’t have a steamer, you can use your iron with steaming properties. Keep the iron further from the fabric and never allow it to touch the fabric – this will cause permanent damage. - Spot treat your velvet furniture
As soon as a spill happens, remove any solid residue and liquids with a dull knife. Then blot away any moisture with a clean dry paper towel. Do not ever rub the stain – this may cause the dirt and liquid to penetrate deeper into the fabric and make the stain permanent.To make a cleaning solution, mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and some warm water. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the mixture and wring it out until it is slightly damp. Gently blot the stained area until all dirt and grime have been removed. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth, as the stain transfers. Let the area air dry, then use a steamer to completely remove any dirt residue and restore the fibres.
Tips on how to maintain your velvet furniture in good condition for longer:
- Take care of spills and stains as soon as they happen. Do not let them soak deeper into the fabric – that may cause them to become permanent.
- Vacuum the upholstery weekly to remove dust and grime. You will prevent them from building up and prolong your velvet upholstery’s life.
- Use a steamer to remove any creases and treat matted areas.
- Always test any cleaning products and methods on a small hidden area. You will avoid causing damage and harming the surface of the fabric.
- Keep your velvet furniture away from direct sunlight. If it is inevitable, use a cover or throw pillows to protect its surface.
- Do not skip your regular cleaning schedule. Any grime left on a velvet piece will quickly settle down and easily become hard or even impossible to remove.
If you don’t have the time or equipment to treat your velvet furniture, do not compromise it. Call a professional. Velvet upholstery has some special needs, especially if it’s vintage or in a fragile state. Do not hesitate to call a professional company – they are experienced technicians and will help you achieve the results you want.