Velvet couches provide an upscale look to your home, but when it comes to cleaning it, it may seem like a tricky endeavor.  However, that is not the case – your velvet couch or sofa will not require much more work to maintain than your regular furniture.  Once you know how to clean your velvet furniture, the actual process of cleaning it is a breeze.

One of the biggest factors you need to know before you clean your velvet sofa is whether you have synthetic velvet or if it is made of cotton.  If you do not own a velvet couch but are looking into purchasing one, keep in mind that synthetic velvet is easier to care for – which makes it a great option for households with children and pets.

Here at Ambiente Furniture, we have all the answers for your velvet cleaning processes.  Keep reading to learn the best ways to clean your velvet furniture, or, contact us for any additional questions.

Spot Clean As Soon As Possible

Have you spilled something on your velvet couch?  If the spill is new, you are in luck – you can try spot cleaning it with a dry, absorbent cloth.  You should be able to blot away most of the spill!  Be careful not to rub the spill; this will do more harm than good.  You will likely actually push the liquid further into the fabric, making it even more difficult to clean.

If your spill caused any solids to get on the couch as well, this can easily be lifted.  Use the edge of a dull knife, such as a butter knife, to carefully lift the mess up.  Do this before you blot the moisture, so that it is out of the way and it does not get pushed into the furniture further.

It is fairly simple to create a velvet-friendly cleaning solution.  Before you tackle the spill, you will want to test any solution or cleaner on a hidden portion of the velvet, even if it is just soap and water.  This way, if something goes wrong, you will know before you use it on the stain, and it can easily be hidden.

To create the cleaning solution, take a few drops of dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water.  You will want to whisk these two items together until it creates suds.  Wet a clean cloth, preferably microfiber, with water and then dip the wet cloth into the suds of the solution.  From there, you can gently blot the stained area with the cloth until the stain is gone.  Let the area air-dry.  Alternatively, you can purchase a velvet fabric cleaner.

You may have some fibers that stay pressed down or get matted.  That’s okay; just use a steamer or your hand to lift these fibers back up into place.

Vacuum Regularly

One of the most common downsides of a velvet couch is that it will collect dust particles over time, thanks to those fibers that stick up.  There are a few options that can help with this.  The first is to use a soft brush to pull up the dust particles and dirt and brush it away.  The other option is to vacuum the couch regularly.

Vacuuming your couch will keep it looking its best in between any spot cleaning or steaming that you do.  It serves as a way to lift up and remove any dust, dirt, crumbs, or other particles that get trapped in the fibers.  Make sure you are gentle when vacuuming so you do not damage the fabric.  

Additionally, you can use the upholstery brush or the crevice tool for the most accurate and gentle cleaning.  When you use your crevice brush, you can get in those tough to reach spaces that a regular attachment cannot get to.  The upholstery brush pulls away all the unnecessary particles without causing damage to the velvet fabric.

Use Steam

Has your couch started to crease?  This may happen after someone has sat on it for a while, or if something on it was moving the fabric a certain way.  These creases should be flattened out sooner rather than later, as they can end up becoming permanent.  Don’t worry, these can easily be removed (if still relatively new) by using a steamer.

You do not need anything fancy, you even can use a clothes steamer if you own one.  Keep the heat on a lower setting to prevent any of the fibers from melting, and also keep the steamer a few inches away from the fabric.

Gently brush the fabric to stand up after you go over it with the steamer.  When putting the steam on the fabric, always keep it moving so it does not cause any issues.  You should be all set once the fabric has dried!

Stop Fading

If you choose a brighter color fabric, keeping it out of the direct sunlight might be a good choice for you.  Like any other fabric, velvet will fade when it is exposed to the sunlight for too long.  In fact, it is actually a bit more sensitive to this than other fabrics.  Another benefit of keeping it out of the sunlight is that you will not be able to see the dust and dirt particles on the fabric nearly as well.

If you cannot keep your velvet furniture away from a sunlit spot, you may want to consider adding some sort of curtain or sunshade to the room as well.  This way, when the sun shines directly into the room, you can block it out and keep your furniture safe.

A third way to prevent the sunlight from constantly hitting the furniture is to put something over it in the place that the sunlight hits.  For example, if it hits the corner of the couch the most, you can put a blanket over that area to preserve it better.

Find a Velvet Couch at Ambiente Furniture

Have you been searching for a velvet couch near the Raleigh or Asheville, North Carolina area?  If so, you are in luck!  Ambiente Furniture has two store locations in these areas and can help provide you with the perfect velvet couch for your home.  Our expert staff can answer any questions you may have regarding velvet furniture and its upkeep, or help you with choosing the couch that will fit your home perfectly.  Feel free to contact us by using the form below and someone will be in touch with you shortly.  Or, look around our website a bit to see what you like and then stop into your nearest Ambiente Furniture location!  We look forward to helping you soon.