A velvet sofa can give your home a sophisticated look. Not only that, it has a very luxurious feel that makes lounging on your couch a very relaxing and comfortable experience. However, a velvet couch has a reputation of being more difficult to clean and maintain than other fabrics. Is it? Well, as long as you know how to clean and care for it the right way, keeping it in its bright and cozy state is as easy as caring for other sofa materials.
Before doing anything else, remember to check the care requirements indicated by your furniture supplier. Here are some cleaning and maintenance tips for your velvet sofa:
Regular care of velvet sofa
The velvet material has tall pile or fabric strands. If you don’t regularly care for it, your velvet sofa may lose its rich color as its pile flattens. A great way to keep your velvet couch in optimum condition is to vacuum your couch every week using the soft brush attachment. You may also fluff your sofa daily and brush off crumbs that may be present.
Treating sofa stains and spills
Treating stains or spills is probably the most challenging part of caring for your delicate velvet sofa.
If you are scared to treat them yourself, contact your professional cleaner. However, if you want to give it a try, follow these recommended steps:
- Be sure to deal with stains or spills right away.
- Get a lint-free cloth or a paper towel and place it over the area without rubbing. Leave it on for a few minutes to absorb as much stain. Sometimes, that is all it takes to treat a spill. If that is the case, you can leave it on to air dry. You may also use a hairdryer using the lowest setting to hasten the process. Gently brush the pile afterward. However, if there is still some stain left, continue with the next step.
- Create your cleaning solution. I have found two recipes for you to try:
- 1-2 drops of dishwashing liquid mixed with 1 cup of water. Shake it well to create suds.
- Combine 100ml of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. The solution will create foam at the top.
- Dip your clean cloth in the suds or foam of your cleaning solution and not in the liquid mixture itself.
- Be sure to test your fabric cleaning solution in a hidden spot to check if it doesn’t ruin your fabric.
- Once clear, gently blot your cloth on the stain. Do this until the stain is removed.
- Air-dry the surface or use a hairdryer on its lowest setting.
- Vacuum or gently brush the treated surface to smoothen it and blend it with the rest of the couch.
Dealing with creases and pressure marks
Because of its high pile, pressure marks and creases can form on the couch. This is especially true when it has taken in some weight over a long period. To solve this problem, use a steamer on the affected areas using the lowest heat setting. Do it in the opposite pile direction. Once done, gently finish off with a soft brush.
Avoiding color fade
Your velvet sofa can fade when it is exposed to direct light. To avoid this problem, be sure to place it away from immediate sunlight or indoor light. Alternately, you may drape the exposed part with a throw blanket for protection.
A velvet sofa is a perfect choice if you want a combination of sophistication and relaxation. With the tips above, you can keep the vibrant color and comfort of your velvet couch for the years to come.
