How to clean velvet?

Luxurious, soft, and so elegant. No, we're not talking about your secret crush, no! We're talking about velvet.

Because of its beauty and its ability to enhance a space simply by existing, velvet fabric has seen a massive resurgence in recent years.

If you own a valuable item, you probably also know that, like all beautiful things, velvet requires some maintenance to stay in top condition. Dirty paws, cheese sandwiches, dust and dirt can wreak havoc on your velvet sofa, armchair, chair, or cushion.

Fortunately, you know how to clean velvet, or you will know in a few minutes.

1) The best choice

Even before you have a chance to soil your sofa, you need to know what type of velvet you're dealing with. There are two main types of velvet: cotton and synthetic.

When choosing a velvet piece, you need to consider your lifestyle. While both types of velvet are beautiful and will give you the comfortable and elegant look you're after, we recommend synthetic velvet pieces, like the mint green velvet armchair or the beige velvet chair, for households with children and pets.

Synthetic velvet offers the same benefits as cotton velvet, but it's a little easier to maintain.

All velvets withstand 40,000 rubs (most household fabrics have half that with 20,000 rubs), making all items in our velvet collection ideal for families, pet owners, or just messy people.

2) General Cleaning and Maintenance

Velvet has a reputation for being fussy, requiring a lot of maintenance. While it is undeniably luxurious, velvet is not much more difficult to clean and maintain than other fabrics or materials.

Aside from regularly fluffing and turning cushions, there are a few ways to keep your velvet looking nice to the touch and comfortable.

If you're enjoying a croissant on your velvet armchair and crumbs escape, just vacuum it with a soft brush. Once you're done eating, of course.

Did you spend the winter in the sun and find your velvet armchairs dusty after months away? A quick vacuum will also remove dust and other daily dirt that seems to accumulate. Just be sure to use the soft brush to avoid any nicks or scratches.

You know when you sleep for eight hours and wake up with crease marks on your face? The same thing can happen to velvet. Since velvet is a pile fabric and its pile is higher (higher fabric strands), it can compress when subjected to pressure or weight for a certain period. This results in a crease or a white spot.

Just use a handheld steamer or set your iron to the steam function. Once it's hot, start at a corner and move the steamer over the fabric against the crease.

Be sure to use the lowest heat setting and don't leave the steamer in place for more than a few seconds. For even more effective cleaning, use a stiff lint brush to brush the fibers while you steam. So fresh and so steamy.

3) Color Alteration

Fading is a natural phenomenon for anything exposed to light, whether it's sunlight or an indoor light bulb.

"Velvet is particularly susceptible to fading," says Lucie Dordet, our product development director. "To prevent this, I suggest protecting your furniture by choosing a space that is not directly exposed to sunlight. If that's not possible, drape a blanket over sun-exposed areas to protect them."

Or, if fading doesn't bother you, ignore this advice and opt for the faded, lived-in look.

4) Spot Cleaning

Prepare for future disasters by knowing exactly how to clean those stains before they get too comfortable in your velvet.

When something inevitably spills on your velvet furniture, the first thing to do is to take a deep breath. Okay, great. You've got this.

Now, check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. They will tell you exactly what to do (and what not to do) when it comes to cleaning spills and messes.

A good starting point for all spills is to blot up excess liquid with a soft, lint-free cloth. It's important to emphasize this, as lint can get caught in the velvet fibers.

Once you've blotted up as much liquid as possible, it's time to prepare a cleaning solution. Mix one or two drops of dish soap with a cup of water. Shake to create foamy bubbles, like your own little soapy latte. Take your cloth and dip it into the foam. Then, lightly dab the stain with the damp cloth until you've removed as much of the stain as possible.

Let the area air dry or use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to speed up the process.

If you don't want to take any chances with your luxury velvet, consult a furniture cleaning specialist. They will ensure your velvet is cleaned and restored to its original beauty.

While there's no magic bullet for cleaning anything, these steps are the best way to clean velvet without risking damage.