Maintain and Clean a Velvet Sofa
Velvet is chic and trendy, but maintenance can be scary. However, it is a robust fabric if well cared for. Tips to keep it silky.
Recommended Materials
- Soft textile brush
- Sommières clay (Fuller's earth)
- White vinegar
- Soapy water
- Washcloth
Steps to follow
Step 1
Brushing is the beauty secret of velvet. Brush your sofa regularly (once a week) with a soft textile brush to straighten the pile, remove embedded dust, and prevent it from 'marking' or crushing in the places where people sit most often.
Step 2
For dry cleaning (grease stains, sebum, chips): sprinkle generously with Sommières clay (Fuller's earth) on the area. It is an ultra-absorbent natural clay that does not stain. Leave on overnight (at least 12h), then vacuum. It's magical and without risk of rings.
Step 3
For liquid stains (coffee, wine): blot immediately with absorbent paper without rubbing to soak up the liquid. Prepare a mixture of lukewarm water, a drop of dish soap, and a little white vinegar.
Step 4
Always test your mixture on a hidden part of the sofa (back or underneath) to check that the color does not bleed.
Step 5
Soak a clean washcloth, wring it out VERY hard (velvet should never be soaked through, otherwise the cotton backing underneath shrinks). Dab the stain from the outside inwards. Rub gently in the direction of the pile, then against the grain.
Step 6
Rinse with a damp glove with clear water (always well wrung out) to remove the soap.
Step 7
Let dry in the open air, away from direct heat sources. Once dry, brush again to fluff up the pile and erase cleaning marks.
Step 8
Restore fluffiness: if the velvet is crushed in certain places (seat), you can use the steam from an iron (without touching the fabric, stay 5cm away!) to straighten the fibers, then brush immediately against the grain while it is hot and damp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a steam cleaner recommended ?
With caution. Steam can crush velvet if it is too hot or too close. Use steam from a distance to smooth and disinfect, without touching the fabric with the nozzle.
My cat puts hair everywhere, what to do ?
Velvet holds hair like a magnet. Use an adhesive brush or, more economically, a slightly damp rubber household glove. Run the gloved hand over the sofa: the hair clumps into balls that are easy to remove.
Precautions
- Always test on a hidden area.
- Never rub a localized stain vigorously (risk of discolored area).
