Velvet sofas: tips you need to know to clean velvet in the best way possible
There is no doubt that velvet sofas have now returned popularity around the world: velvet has a timeless elegance that is used for classic and modern furniture upholstery.
That said, velvet is not exactly easy to maintain and care for. So, let's find out together how best to clean a velvet sofa:
The steps to follow to clean velvet sofas
As always, before cleaning any upholstery, the bulk of the dirt must be removed first: dust, crumbs, hair, pet fur... Everything possible must be vacuumed up or brushed away with a soft brush.
Obviously, you also need to remove cushions to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Secondly, we recommend using a steam/vertical iron: using the steam in a controlled way, so as not to soak the velvet this will clean without damaging the velvet. Remember to keep the iron 15-20 cm from the surface, and have a microfibre cloth ready to dub up any excess humidity and moisture.
Washing velvet
The above method of cleaning is more than sufficient for routine maintenance. However, if you want a deeper cleaning and/or to remove stains from velvet, you will need to wash it. This must be done with care.
A generic product to use is an organic dishwashing soap or Marseille soap. Dissolve a level teaspoon of the soap in a large basin of warm water. Dip a soft microfibre cloth in the water and wring well. Then, pass the damp cloth over the sofa with regular movements, rubbing on problem spots.
Have a second basin of water ready, in which you will dip another cloth, to "rinse" the sofa. Once the velvet is clean, let it air dry. However, if you have a steam vacuum cleaner - which can suck up water - you can use this to speed up the drying process.
Finally, you may need to use a soft bristle brush to restore the velvet pile that have flattened during washing.
It may take several hours for the sofa to be dry completely, so it's best to do this job in the morning so that the heat of the day makes drying an easier task.
One more tip
To clean individual stains, without necessarily having to wash the entire sofa, dry foam detergents - such as those used for car upholstery - can also be useful. In any case, check not only the sofa manufacturer's instructions and try the product out first on a hidden piece of the sofa to see if it will cause any damage (like discoloration).
Following these steps, your velvet sofa will always be fragrant and clean!