How to Get Stains Out of Velvet Couches

Velvet upholstery has a distinct texture with its plush pile, but not all velvet fabric is washed in the same manner. How you wash velvet depends on the material it is made of, which might be silk, cotton, wool or synthetic fiber. Most upholstered furniture sold today includes a cleaning code, often placed on a label, telling the consumer how to wash the piece safely. The codes are "W," "S," "W-S" and "X." If marked with a "W," you can safely use a water-based cleaner, while an "S" indicates only non-water, cleaning solvents. You can use either type of cleaner if marked "W-S," and vacuum only if marked with an "X."

Liquid dish soap
Ammonia
White distilled vinegar
Cup
Dry cleaning solvent
White cleaning rag

Instructions

- 1
  Look for the cleaning code marked somewhere on the couch to determine how to safely clean the fabric.
- 2
  Identify the stain. The type of stain, along with the cleaning code, dictates the cleaning product that should be used.
- 3
  Add 1 tsp. of mild, alkali-free liquid detergent to 1 cup of lukewarm water, if the upholstery is coded “W” or "W-S" for the first wash, if the stain is blood, chocolate, glue, egg, ice cream, juice, fruit, milk, tea, coffee or soda.
- 4
  Add 1 tbsp. of ammonia to 1/2 cup water for the second wash if the upholstery is coded “W” or "W-S" and the stain is beer, blood, chocolate, glue, egg, ice cream or milk. Mix 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water for the second wash if the upholstery is beer, juice, fruit, tea, coffee or soda.
- 5
  Moisten a cloth with the first cleaning solution. If the stain is butter, gum or lotion, use the dry cleaning solvent instead.
- 6
  Blot the stain with the appropriate first cleaning solution.
- 7
  Blot the stain with the appropriate second cleaning solution. If using the dry clean solution, use the soap solution as the second wash.
- 8
  Sponge the stain with clean water if coded "W " or "W-S" to remove the cleaners.

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