Premium and aesthetically-pleasing, velvet sofa enjoys a class of their own. However, their eye-candy vibes can take a back turn due to nasty spots, scratch marks, and what not. Additionally, cleaning them up is another challenging task in itself because of the distinct velvet material that needs a special cleaning regimen compared to other materials. But worry not! We’ve got you covered with this detailed cleaning guide for velvet sofas. Let’s begin…!
Velvet Sofa Care Kit Checklist
First of all, you or your cleaning professional would need to gear up with the right tools to undertake expert cleaning. Here is a list of basics:
Equipment / Tools
- Whisk or handheld electric mixer
- Vacuum with upholstery attachments
- Spoon, dull knife, or spatula
- Handheld clothes steamer
- Rubber gloves or lint roller
- Microfibre cloths
- Large bowl
Materials
- Hairspray
- Dishwashing liquid
- Cornstarch or talcum powder
- Paper towels
A Step-by-Step No-Fuss Guide to Cleaning Velvet Upholstery
You need to be careful while opting for a satisfying velvet clean up. Here’s how to properly carry out the process:
1) Start with a Powerful Surface Clean
- Initiate the process by cleaning the couch top.
- Take a handheld vacuum with an upholstery brush to suck away dust and loose dirt from the velvet.
- Remember to reach under-the-cushion area or the back of the couch for a proper clean up.
- You can also use a hose with brush attachment to do the same job.
2) Steam Away Grime Without Harsh Chemicals
- Take a handheld clothes steamer and fill it up with water, setting the heat at a lower degree for a gentler clean up.
- Holding the steamer head several inches from the sofa surface, move it gently while working in a grid form.
- Now take a dry microfibre towel and rub it over the soggy velvet to swipe the dirt away. With the soil accumulating on the towel, keep moving to its cleaner area.
3) Lather Lightly for Velvet-Safe Cleaning
- Take two cups of warm water in a big bowl and mix half tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in it.
- Create lather using a handheld electric blender or a whisk. Then dip a wet microfibre cloth into the lather. Remember to squeeze the cloth and get rid of extra water i.e., the cloth shouldn’t be dripping.
- Starting from the couch top, rub the wet cloth in circular motion. Again, keep moving to the cleaner cloth area with the soil accumulating on it.
- Remove any soapy leftover by wiping the area with a dry, clean, microfibre cloth.
- Let the sofa dry naturally before using. Instead of using any direct air dryer sources, opt for the more natural ones. You can use fans to help circulate air or open windows for ventilations. Don’t lose patience and use direct dying methods as they may cause extra humidity, leading the velvet fibres to shrink or become distorted.
- Lift any entwined strands using a vacuum or a steamer.
Stain-Free Velvet: A Quick Spot Cleaning Guide
a) How to Remove Oily Stains from Velvet Upholstery
- Take talcum powder or cornstarch and spread a half inch thick layer over the stain.
- Leave the layer for 24 hours (best if possible) or 8 hours minimum, to let it do its magic.
- Use vacuum to lift the powder and keep repeating all the steps until the oil spill is completely absorbed.
b) Quick Fix for Pet Hair and Lint on Velvet Sofas
- Put on gloves and apply a modest amount of hairspray.
- Collect the hair and lint by starting at the cushion edge or top of the couch, keeping gloves on.
- Use paper towel to wipe the lint and hair from the gloves and spray again lightly to continue the process.
From Dust to Shine: 7 Easy Velvet Sofa Hacks
1. Always Start with the Manufacturer’s Instructions
The instructions manual by the manufacturer for the velvet sofas are given for a reason. Use them. Read carefully any instructions regarding the material you can use for cleaning a velvet sofa or any other directives before proceeding for the sofa clan up. Remember different sofas may require different methods and guidelines for cleaning. You may damage the fabric without knowing and void any warranties. Therefore, carefully going through the manual instructions before the clean-up is a must.
2. Tackle Spills with Immediate Spot Cleaning
If you spot any stains or spills on your velvet sofa, don’t let them become stubborn. Address them swiftly by gently cleaning with a wet paper towel or cloth. Don’t rub the stain or you’ll only spread it further.
3. Test Cleaning Products Before Full Application
Test the cleaning products you’re going to use on your velvet sofa before starting the process. Use a small space and test a small quantity of the product in that space and let it rest for a small duration. After some time, gently rub the area with a clean cloth. If you find no colour fading or fabric damage then it means you can use the product for the essential clean up.
4. Use a Velvet-Safe Upholstery Cleaner
If you own a high-end or a delicate velvet fabric sofa then the best cleaning product is the velvet upholstery cleaner, formulated especially for these fabrics. Also, carefully read the instructions and methodology specified for the use of this particular cleaner.
5. Brush and Fluff for a Fresh Finish
Restore the original outlook and softness of your velvet sofa by brushing or cleaning the fabric with the special velvet brush. If you’ve got more stubborn regions then using a lint roller or an adhesive tape to lift off any residual would be beneficial.
6. Add a Cover If You Have Kids or Pets
Consider placing a protective covering over your velvet sofa if you’ve got pets and children around. This way you can protect the sofa from scuffs and damages.
7. Old Stains? Steam or Go Pro
Discovered old stains? Opt for a team cleaner or call a professional to get rid of these stains. Old stains are trickier to remove so you might want to proceed with caution. Calling a professional is the best.
Let the Experts Handle It – Call Today
This ultimate guide will help you clean any sort of velvet sofa with such precision that no one would guess it to be a bit old or used up. However, if you’re not confident about taking up the job yourself then it’s fine. Cleaning a posh velvet sofa is a delicate job and no owner would reckon deal with this task himself until they’ve some prior experience. We suggest handing over this job to professionals.
If you want to purchase new premium velvet sofas at rates that would delight you, check out DF Beds. We’re a prime furniture provider in the UK, offering all kinds of sofas for your unique bedroom types. Let us know what you need for your bedrooms by calling at 07702117182 and we’ll surely give you the best we’ve got for your space’s aesthetic upgrade.