The Right Way to Clean Velvet Furniture

As beautiful as velvet upholstery looks, caring for it can be tricky. Although it’s a luxurious and soft fabric, velvet is susceptible to stubborn stains and easily attracts dust and dirt. Without proper cleaning, velvet furniture can quickly take on a dingy, dull appearance. But the fabric can be restored to its original appearance when you’re armed with proper cleaning techniques and materials. Whether you’re cleaning a velvet couch, chair, or other furniture made from the material, these tips will help keep your velvet upholstery in mint condition.

How Often to Clean Velvet Furniture 

How often you clean velvet furniture depends on a few different factors, including your lifestyle, level of use, and whether you have pets or children in your home. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to do some routine cleaning on velvet furniture (dusting, vacuuming, etc.) once a week, while deep cleaning should happen more frequently. "Depending on usage and the accumulation of dirt and stains, plan to deep clean your velvet furniture every six to 12 months," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. Any stains and spills should be cleaned as soon as they occur.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

• Soft bristle brush
• Vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment
  
• Distilled white vinegar
• Water
• Microfiber cloth(s)

How to Clean Velvet Furniture

Follow these steps from Sokolowski to clean velvet furniture.

1. Use a soft-bristle brush or velvet upholstery brush to gently brush the velvet furniture's surface.
2. Vacuum the velvet upholstery using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Move the nozzle gently in the direction of the nap (the raised fibers) to lift dirt and dust.
3. In a small bowl, mix equal parts distilled water and white vinegar.
4. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution.
5. Blot any stained areas gently, starting from the outside and working your way in. Continue blotting until the stain begins to lift.
6. Use a clean, damp cloth to blot the stain again to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
7. Blot with a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture.
8. Pour the cleaning solution into a spray bottle and lightly mist the entire surface of the velvet furniture, avoiding over saturation.
9. Gently brush the fabric with the soft-bristle brush in the direction of the nap to lift dirt and restore the velvet's texture.
10. Allow the furniture to air dry naturally.
11. Once the furniture is completely dry, use the vacuum cleaner with the soft brush attachment to go over the velvet again to fluff up the fibers.

How to Steam Velvet Furniture 

Since velvet has a higher pile (taller strands of fabric on its surface), it has the tendency to compress when under pressure for long periods of time. "Steaming velvet fabric is a great way to keep it clean and avoid velvet compression," says Zoe Garred, director of product development at Article. "To remove compression, simply steam the creases out with a steamer or the steam setting on your iron, and gently brush in the opposite direction of the pile to release the wrinkles. Be sure your steamer is set on low to avoid damaging the fabric."

Tips for Maintaining Velvet Furniture 

The best way to maintain the appearance of velvet furniture is by cleaning it regularly, but there are some other best practices you can follow to ensure it looks beautiful in between deep cleans.  

• Be mindful of the type of velvet furniture you purchase. "While cotton and synthetic velvet are equally beautiful, we tend to recommend synthetic for customers with kids or pets since it's much easier to care for," says Garred. "Stains on synthetic types don't soak in as deep compared to cotton velvet."
• Dust and particles can settle on velvet furniture relatively quickly. "Lightly dust the furniture with a soft brush or a lint roller once a week or as needed to remove surface dust and dirt," says Sokolowski. 
• Treat spills or stains by spot-cleaning them as soon as they occur. "Do not let stains sit on the fabric, as they can become more difficult to remove over time," says Sokolowski. 
• Regularly vacuum velvet furniture. "Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently remove dust and debris from the velvet upholstery," says Sokolowski. "Aim to vacuum your velvet furniture at least once a month or more frequently if you have pets or allergies."
• Certain kinds of velvet upholstery fabrics, particularly cotton velvet, are especially prone to fading when exposed to sunlight. "To avoid it, protect your furniture by selecting a space that isn't in direct sunlight," says Garred. 

When to Call a Professional 

There are a few instances when cleaning velvet furniture at home isn't heavy duty enough. "If your velvet furniture has significant damage, such as tears, rips, or fraying fabric, a professional upholsterer can assess the damage and potentially repair or restore the furniture," says Sokolowski. Additionally, if your furniture has deeply set in stains or trapped allergens or odors that can't be removed with gentle cleaning methods, you may want to seek professional help. No matter what, always consult the care tag on your furniture for cleaning instructions. "Some manufacturers may recommend professional cleaning at specific intervals to maintain warranties or prolong the life of the furniture," says Sokolowski.