Velvet is a beautiful, luxurious fabric used to make furniture, clothing and accessories. From time to time, your velvet items need to be cleaned to keep them neat. Usually, you can clean velvet at home yourself, but sometimes you need to hire a professional. You must give special care when cleaning velvet to prevent creases, stains, and wrinkles from forming on the surface of the fabric.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Getting Rid of Stains
Step 1. Rub a cloth brush or lint-free cloth onto the velvet surface before cleaning it
Brushing the velvet can remove stains and tangled lint, as well as loosen the fabric. This will help prepare the fabric to be cleaned and will remove any lumps of dry stain on the surface before further cleaning.
When brushing accessories, make sure you brush the corners and areas where the stain seems difficult to clean
Step 2. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean velvet furniture
The vacuum cleaner removes smudges and tangled lint, while the brush attachment loosens the fabric so it's ready to clean. Work slowly and don't press too hard on the fabric as this can damage the finish.
To prevent stains and dirt from damaging the fabric, you can clean the velvet with a vacuum cleaner once a week
Step 3. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with cup of lemon water to clean the dirty areas on the furniture
You may need to add extra lemon juice to create the foam. You don't need the liquid. So, don't worry about making too much cleaning fluid.
If you are cleaning a single unit of furniture thoroughly, you may need to add more baking soda
Step 4. Mix 1 tablespoon of detergent and 2 cups of water to clean clothes and accessories
Make sure there are lots of bubbles coming out when mixing the two ingredients. If necessary, you can add more water and detergent to create a lather.
Step 5. Separate the foam that forms from the mixture with a lint-free cloth
Take the foam that forms slowly. You don't need a lot, just enough to wet the top of the cloth.
Step 6. Pat the foam onto the dirty area with a lint-free cloth
You can remove the remaining foam with the dry side of the cloth. Allow the area to dry, then wipe with a washcloth or cloth brush.
- To clean the furniture, you will need to apply the foam by wiping the surface of the inner cloth using long strokes.
- You should test this method on a small, invisible area first. For example, in the area of the inner seam and behind the collar of a velvet garment, or in areas that are not visible on furniture or accessories.
Step 7. Allow the cleaned object for 3-5 hours to dry
Even if the cleaning fluid appears to be drying quickly, give it extra time to allow it to dry completely and the velvet to return to its original shape. Do not wear clothes or furniture that are cleaned during the drying process.
If the stain remains, apply an additional layer of liquid and let it dry. Repeat this process until the stain is completely gone
Step 8. Apply protective liquid to furniture or accessories to prevent new stains from forming
You can find velvet protective liquid for furniture in shopping malls, furniture stores, or online stores. Make sure you spray the liquid about 15 cm from the cleaning cloth and don't get it too wet.
- After the protective liquid dries, wipe the furniture with a cloth brush or lint-free cloth to remove any creases or creases.
- Protective liquids made especially for expensive fabrics, such as Scotchguard and Nano Protector, can be the best and fastest solution for protecting accessories that get dirty easily. You can also use furniture protection spray to protect velvet shoes from water.
- Use of protective liquid may void the product warranty. So, make sure you check the product care information before spraying it.
Method 2 of 3: Washing and Drying Velvet
Step 1. Read the product label carefully
The product label will provide important information that must be known to clean velvet goods. The label can also tell the composition of the velvet. There are several types of velvet, such as pure velvet, polyester blends, and crushed velvet.
If there is an “S” mark on the label, you should only use the dry cleaning method, not washing it with water. You can also leave the cleaning process to a professional dry cleaning service
Step 2. Bring clothes made of pure velvet to a dry cleaning service provider
If you have pure velvet clothes, the best way to clean them is to take them to a dry cleaning service. They can clean the clothes, and have experience removing dirt and stains on special fabrics.
Step 3. Wash the polyester velvet or crushed velvet with cold water and a mild detergent
If the item to be cleaned is made of a polyester blend or crushed velvet, you can clean it in the washing machine. Make sure you use a cold water setting and a mild detergent.
Step 4. Place the velvet in a protective mesh bag or wash it separately to prevent creases from forming
Clothes or other objects in the washing machine can press on velvet clothes, causing creases or creases on the surface of the fabric. A mesh protective bag can protect your clothes, or you can wash them separately.
This method works best with clothing or small items, including pillowcases and velvet scarves
Step 5. Lay the clothes down to dry
Velvet should not be machine dried. Find a clean, flat area in a dry area and lay your clothes on it. Clothing may take up to 12 hours to dry, depending on the weight of the material. So be patient. Check the garment after a few hours and turn it over if it doesn't dry evenly.
Step 6. Store velvet clothes by hanging them in the closet or putting them in a dust-proof bag
Keeping your velvet clothes straight and neatly tucked away in your closet will prevent creases and creases from forming. Make sure the other clothes don't press on the velvet and damage the fabric.
If your velvet accessory is equipped with a dust-proof bag, for example in a handbag or shoe product, use the bag to store it. This will prevent dust from sticking together and the surface of the fabric from becoming wrinkled
Method 3 of 3: Smoothing the Velvet
Step 1. Use a steamer to remove any creases or creases
If your velvet clothing or item looks wrinkled or has creases, you can use a low-setting steamer to smooth out the wrinkled area. Hold the vaporizer about 10 cm from the surface of the fabric and move it in the direction of the fibers.
For accessories such as shoes or handbags that are lined up or have different structures, evaporation will not work. If there are creases, try brushing them neatly or filling the space inside with a tissue or other object to keep them in shape
Step 2. Hang the garment or object on a sturdy hanger in the bathroom while you shower
Sometimes, the steam from a hot shower in the bathroom can remove creases and make fabrics look like new again. Be careful not to get the item in contact with water as it can leave stains on the velvet surface!
Step 3. Use an iron on a steam setting if you don't have a steamer
You can use an iron on the steam setting to remove creases and creases. Like a steamer, you need to position the iron about 10 cm from the surface of the fabric, then move it in the direction of the fibers of the fabric. Be careful that the iron does not touch the surface of the fabric.
Step 4. Remove deep creases with a spare sheet of velvet and an iron or steamer
Place the sheet on the ironing board with the feathers facing up. After that, place the velvet object to be trimmed with the fur facing down, right on top of the velvet sheet. Point the steamer or iron on the steam setting over the velvet for 15 seconds, then repeat until the creases are completely gone.
Tips
- You should always do a small cleaning test on the velvet surface first.
- Antique velvet should be taken to a professional so that it can be cleaned properly without damaging the upholstery of the fabric.
