How to Care for a Velvet Sofa

Velvet is a luxurious fabric with a raised nap and pile that can complicate the cleaning process. Because the fibers of the fabric actually come up from the surface of the fabric, you need to be careful not to prematurely wear them out by aggressively cleaning the couch. Velvet does not handle water-based cleaning solutions well, so use dry-cleaning solvents designed specifically for velvet. Test the cleaning method and solution on a small area of the couch to ensure the solution won't damage the couch. If your couch is valuable, consult a professional for cleaning.

Vacuum
Upholstery attachment
Spray bottle
Baby brush
Stain repellant
Dry-cleaning solvent

Instructions

- 1
  Vacuum the upholstery once a week with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum. Don't use too much pressure on the fabric, or you can wear it out. Vacuum under cushions and in crevices that might be holding crumbs and dust.
- 2
  Mist the couch with clear water once every 2 weeks. Brush the damp pile with a baby brush to remove any buildup from the pile and nap. Brush in the direction of the velvet nap. Baby brushes are quite soft and will not scratch or tear the fabric.
- 3
  Spot-clean any stains with a dry-cleaning solvent specifically designed for velvet fabrics. Work from the edges of the stain toward the center, and blot rather than rub the fabric to avoid worsening the stain and to prevent damage. Blot the area dry with a clean cloth and brush it to restore the nap.
- 4
  Treat the velvet sofa with a stain repellant every year. This will prevent the velvet from absorbing stains, but will not make the couch water-repellant.
- 5
  Keep the sofa away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent it from scorching or bleaching.

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