How To Clean A Velvet Couch Without Damaging The Fabric

Velvet furniture is always a luxurious addition to any home. A velvet couch's soft feel, elegant look, and smooth texture are just what your living room needs to enter its classy era. And you don't need to worry about cleaning your velvet furniture because it isn't as difficult as most think. The idea that this material is a delicate, difficult-to-maintain fabric is a velvet furniture myth that you should stop believing. However, before you perform any maintenance, always check the couch's care label for cleaning instructions and to know the exact type of velvet used. Generally, synthetic velvet is more resilient and it's easier to get stains off them, unlike natural ones such as wool or silk velvet.

General cleaning of your velvet sofa should always start with vacuuming. Gently use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gather up dirt. The crevice tool would be ideal for getting crumbs or debris lodged between the seams. Ensure not to press down on the couch while using the vacuum to prevent bald spots or damage to the material. Next, make a cleaning solution from half a teaspoon of mild soap and two cups of water and agitate it to create suds. With a lint-free microfiber cloth, collect the suds and use them to rub the different areas of the couch in gentle circles. Wipe each area with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any soapy residue. Allow your couch to air-dry completely before using a soft-bristled brush to restore the sheen by brushing in the same direction as the nap.

Typical maintenance for your couch should involve dealing with spills promptly, weekly vacuuming, cleaning when the fabric's pile looks flat, and deep-cleaning every six to 12 months. One big mistake to avoid when cleaning your velvet couch is allowing fresh spills to dry before dealing with them. Immediately after a spill happens, remove any solids carefully then place a lint-free cloth or some paper towels on it for five to ten minutes to soak the liquid up. Don't blot or rub at this point to avoid pushing the spill deeper into the material. When all the moisture is absorbed, use the same cleaning solution for general cleaning to lift any stain. With the sudsy microfiber cloth, blot the stain gently until it is no longer visible before letting the sofa air-dry. Finally, run a brush over that area to restore the shine. For tough, dried-on stains, you'd need to spot treat following the steps above, though you would likely need more elbow grease.

With time, you might notice some white stains on your velvet couch that weren't there before. These are crease marks and they tend to form when you sit or lie on your sofa for extended periods. You can get rid of these with a steam cleaner. Put it on the lowest setting and hold it some inches away from your couch. Move it across your couch in the opposite direction of the pile and ensure not to hold it over a particular area for more than a few seconds.