You might be wondering, how do you clean a velvet couch? Well the truth is that velvet couches require special care to clean and are not as easy to clean as regular couches like performing a microfiber couch cleaning. However there are tips and tricks that you can use to clean your velvet couch at home.
What Is Velvet?
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric made from different types of fibers. They are known by their short dense pile, creating that unique finish that is both soft and lustrous. Velvet can be made from all kinds of fibers, but most couches that you have in your home will be made from synthetic fibers. Velvet couches come in a variety of pile lengths from long pile velvet which has an amazing silky touch or short distressed velvet which are only a few millimeters in length and patchy
Pros and Cons of Cleaning a Velvet Couch
Pros
Velvet is synthetic and stains generally do not adhere well to the fabric, making them come off easily with professional cleaning.
Cons
Despite letting go of stains easily, cleaning velvet by yourself is unfeasible. Because of the pile, it's very difficult to remove stains and dirt on your own using household tools. Professional tools are required. Furthermore, after cleaning, proper brushing is needed, depending on the length of the pile, so that the hairs do not cling to each other, causing what is called “crushed velvet.”
DIY Velvet Couch Cleaning
Vacuuming
A simple yet effective way of keeping your velvet couch clean is to vacuum it regularly. As simple as it sounds, dust and grit can easily accumulate the fibers of the couch. Giving it a good vacuuming without a beater bar (as that could damage the pile) is a great, low-cost way of keeping your velvet upholstery fresh.
Spot Cleaning
If a spill does happen on your velvet couch, using a paper towel, blot the spot until as much of the food or liquid has been removed. Then take another paper towel, dipped in cold water and attempt to blot out any offending particles. Do not over-saturate. Repeat until as much of the spilled material is removed.
Crushed Velvet
You may find that the velvet will look crushed after the cleaning. This is because there is still some residue left on the couch causing the hairs of the velvet to stick together. You can attempt to use a velvet brush which is designed to separate the fibers after cleaning, yet use it carefully as if used improperly you can seriously damage the fabric.
Importance of Professional Cleaning
Professional cleaning is generally necessary for velvet couch cleaning. When spills happen, the velvet hairs will stick together, causing an eyesore on the couch as well as disturbing its soft and lustrous feel. Professional cleaning is necessary to restore the look and feel of the couch by removing all residue and brushing out the velvet hairs with a special metal comb brush. Professionals will steam clean the velvet sofa using only cold water. At PristineGreen, after cleaning the velvet sofa, we also cold rinse the couch again to ensure that no residue remains, giving you the best possible feel once the sofa is dried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Velvet is a woven, tufted fabric made from various fibers, often synthetic for couches, known for its dense pile and soft, lustrous finish.
Velvet is synthetic, making it somewhat resistant to stains, which can be easier to remove with professional cleaning due to the fabric's characteristics.
Velvet's pile makes DIY stain and dirt removal difficult, requiring professional tools and techniques to avoid damaging the fabric or causing "crushed velvet."
Regular vacuuming without a beater bar helps remove dust and grit from the fibers, keeping the upholstery fresh.
Blot spills with a paper towel, then gently blot with a damp paper towel using cold water, taking care not to oversaturate the fabric.
Residue left on the couch can cause the velvet fibers to stick together, necessitating careful brushing to restore its texture.
Use a velvet brush designed to separate the fibers gently, but exercise caution to avoid fabric damage.
Professional cleaning removes all residues and properly brushes out the velvet, restoring the couch's look and feel using specific tools like a metal comb brush.
Professionals typically steam clean with cold water and may perform a cold rinse to ensure no residue remains, maintaining the fabric's quality.
Consider the fabric's delicate nature and the risk of "crushed velvet" or damage; professional cleaning is generally safer and more effective for maintaining the couch's appearance and texture.
Scotchgard is a great way to protect your furniture after cleaning but for velvet it isn’t recommended. Although Scotchgard claims to not change the texture of fabrics, we recommend not using it on velvet if you want the most soft and silky feel for your velvet couch.
Water itself will not ruin velvet. If there are substances in the water, it can cause the velvet to have a crushed and stiff look. Professional cleaning is then required.
