How to Take Care of Your Velvet Sofa and Other Types of Velvet Furniture

The luxurious and opulent velvet texture adds a touch of extravagance to your home. No wonder velvet upholstery is making a comeback, and how! Millennials and Gen Z love the vintage vibes of the gorgeous velvet fabric, and velvet furniture is selling like hotcakes. Celebrities like Katie Price and Stephanie Davis have decorated their home with star-studded luxury velvet couches that they swear by.

But unlike celebrities with a host of housekeepers and money, we mere mortals must take care of our homes by ourselves. If you have a beautiful piece of furniture upholstered with velvet- you already know what a pain it is to clean. In this blog, we will simplify the process of cleaning and maintaining velvet furniture without breaking the bank.

Types of velvet

There are two many types of velvet available in the market today—cotton and synthetic. There is also silk velvet, the most expensive and rare type of velvet. It is likely your sofa is either cotton or synthetic velvet. Synthetic velvet works best for furniture because it is easier to clean and maintain.

How to keep your velvet sofa clean and shiny

The glamorous sheen of velvet is what gives it that stylish look. Because the fabric looks so rich and decadent, it also suffers from the reputation of being difficult to maintain. But with a few tips and tricks, you can keep your velvet sofa beautiful and shiny for decades.

Spot the stain. The quicker you treat a stain, the easier it is to remove. If you let a stain dry on your velvet upholstery, it will become difficult to remove without professional help. Avoid eating food that drips while lounging on your velvet sofa.
Spot-treat stains. Add a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with two spoons of lemon juice in a bowl of lukewarm water. Use a soft white cotton cloth and gently rub the stain with the solution.
Special products. You can easily find specially curated velvet laundering and maintenance products online. Invest in a vacuum cleaner, pet hair remover, and velvet detergent.
Steam your sofa. Use a handheld steamer to keep your sofa clean and germ-free. Always rub the fabric in the opposite direction of the pile to maintain its integrity.
Vacuum. Use the soft brush attachment to vacuum away any dry dirt, dust, and pet hair from your velvet sofa.
Keep away from sunlight. Place your velvet furniture at an angle away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause velvet to fade and lose its pretty shine.
Flip and fluff. Flip and pluff your velvet pillows regularly to keep them dust free and soft.
Professional help. Getting your velvet upholstery professionally cleaned once every six months is advisable. With regular upkeep and maintenance, you can keep your dry cleaner’s cost to a minimum.

Velvet sofa v/s pets

Your pets love the couch no matter how often you tell them to get off. Velvet attracts and collects pet hair, so you must regularly clean your sofa or risk having hair everywhere! Not to forget the lousy doggy smell that stinks up the entire couch. The good news? You can use kitchen supplies to keep your velvet clean and fresh!

Baking soda for odor. Baking soda works best against nasty odors and is readily available in your kitchen. Sprinkle baking soda over your velvet sofa and leave it overnight. Use the soft brush attachment to vacuum the sofa thoroughly.
Fabric freshener for instant relief. Have guests come over? Eliminate pet odors from your velvet sofa with a fabric freshener spray. Febreze has some good options.
Sundry the cushions. Remove the velvet upholstery and leave your cushions in an open, airy space with enough sunlight to reduce pet odor.
Fabric softener to remove pet hair. In a spray bottle, mix fabric softener with equal parts water. Spray the solution on your velvet upholstery. Use a soft cotton cloth to wipe away the loose wet hair gently.
Pet grooming. Groom your pets regularly to reduce loose hair that may stick to your velvet furniture and clothes.

For the love of velvet

Velvet can add a feeling of luxury to any home decor. If you are planning to add a touch of velvet to your home, it is best to understand the upkeep and maintenance required. It can become tedious for homes with kids and pets to keep your velvet upholstery spotless. Here is a quick review of the basic things to remember when dealing with velvet.

If you have kids and pets at home – opt for synthetic velvet, as it is easier to clean.
Spot-treat stains as soon as you notice them.
Invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment and handheld steamer.
Use baking soda to eliminate bad odors.
Never leave your velvet sofa directly in sunlight.