How to Care for a Velvet Sofa the Right Way

Our home interior is the reflection of our inner self. Velvet fabric is an indulgence not many people dare to take on. But, if the opportunity presents itself, getting a velvet sofa is going to change your living space forever. If you have decided to make the lavish decision of adding a piece of luxury furniture to your home, you are going to need to know how to care for a velvet sofa the right way.

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What is Velvet?

To know how to care for a velvet sofa the right way, you are going to need to know what the material is. It used to be made from tufted silk, which is quite a costly textile. Unlike other fabrics, this one is not a flat-woven textile. It requires more materials and is woven in two thicknesses. The complicated process gives the fabric its signature softness, which is where the term “soft as velvet” came from.

Nowadays, other than the classic silk velvet, there is a multitude of other synthetic or natural materials that can be used to make velvet. Some of the more budget-friendly ones it can be made from are:

• Cotton;
• Polyester (often a cotton+polyester blend);
• Viscose
• Wool;
• Linen;
• Mohair.

Pure silk velvet has become harder to find in modern days. Even if you do come across real velvet, it is expensive to buy. Now, it is more commonly made from viscose, also known as art silk. Nevertheless, if you do find yourself buying a velvet sofa, no matter the kind, you are going to need to know the best way to go about cleaning it. So, first things first, check the label of your velvet sofa and check:

• Materials it is made from;
• Care instructions;
• Cleaning instructions.

Natural fibre velvet is going to be far more delicate than synthetic velvet. If your velvet sofa is made from synthetic materials, you can steam clean it with no problem at home, as synthetic velvet is more durable and less prone to creasing, fading, and damage than natural fibre velvet. If the velvet is made from natural materials, we advise you to call in professional upholstery cleaners to get the job done.

How to Care for a Velvet Sofa the Right Way

Although velvet is classified as a delicate fabric, it is actually quite durable when cared for correctly. That is why it is of the utmost importance to learn how to care for a velvet sofa the right way. The best thing about velvet is that it is like a fine wine, it only gets better with the years.

Care of velvet furniture is actually quite simple. The way to go about it is to incorporate the tasks tied to its care into your regular routine. We advise you to add a few light chores to your weekly cleaning list:

1. When you are vacuuming the floor or carpet in your lounge, quickly swap the attachment fitting for an upholstery cleaner and get rid of any dust, crumbs, fluff, and whatever else off your velvet sofa.
2. Get a velvet brush for your sofa. You must first figure out which way the velvet fibres are woven. Brush your couch following that direction.
3. While you are completing one of the two tasks mentioned above, you may come across creases, unnatural lines, or even old stains that you have missed. This is the occasion when you should get out your upholstery steam cleaner. However, if you are unsure of the fibres that make up your velvet settee, or you know they are made from natural materials, you may want to consider hiring professional cleaners. They will clean your sofa using a dry cleaning method that won’t cause any damage to your beautiful furniture.

How to Care for Velvet Sofas the Right way – Stain Removal

It is practically impossible to go through life without staining something you should not have. If you have pets, kids, or just a messy member in the family, it is going to happen sooner rather than later. So, when the inevitable comes to pass, you need to be prepared.

The number 1 rule when it comes to stains – catch them on time. If they have time to dry and set into the velvet fabric, it can become near impossible to remove them. Here are our tips on how to tackle a fresh stain:

1. The first thing to get done when a fresh spill has landed on your couch is to grab a few paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Place it on the stain delicately. Do not rub or dab, as this could further push it deeper into the fibres of your settee. Leave it for 5-10 minutes to soak up as much as possible.
2. Now you should prepare a solution for your velvet sofa. We suggest you get a nice deep bowl ready. Pour 100ml of lemon juice into the bowl and add a tablespoon of soda bicarbonate. The mixture will fizz, creating foam and bubbles on the top. Dip a cloth into the foam part of the solution and apply to the stain.
3. The other option for creating a solution is to pour 50ml of water into a cup or bowl and add a few drops of washing up liquid. Stir with fast motions to make a foam and use only the bubbly foam to clean the velvet upholstery.
4. Whichever mixture you decide to use, blot the stain gently using a white cleaning cloth. Keep blotting until it is no longer visible.
5. Now leave the upholstery to air and dry. After it has dried out completely, use a vacuum to clean the surface to make it look smooth and make sure the spot blends in with the rest of the velvet sofa.

A Few Tips From the Professionals

1. When placing your velvet sofa in your living space, choose a spot where direct sunlight can not reach it.
2. If you have children or pets, it may be worth considering placing a protective cover over your velvet settee to avoid damage and scuffing.
3. Your velvet sofa may or may not have cushions. If it does, fluff them regularly.
4. Always read the wash labels before attempting any cleaning process on your velvet couch.
5. In the event that you discover an old stain on your sofa, either deal with it using a steam cleaner, or contact professional cleaners.
6. If ever in doubt, contact professional upholstery cleaners. You don’t want to cause unnecessary damage to your luxurious furniture.