How to clean a velvet sofa
, by TBB Admin, 5 min reading time
With its rich colour and luxury feel, velvet is one of the most elegant fabric choices for a sofa. And it’s surprisingly versatile – lending itself to a wide range of styles and trends beautifully. However, some people may avoid the material, simply because they believe it’s a tricky fabric to clean. We’re here to show you that’s not the case.
With the right approach and some simple cleaning solutions, you can keep your sofa looking as good as new for decades to come. Here, we share how to take care of velvet sofas to ensure their pristine condition.
How to care for a velvet sofa
A grand velvet sofa can be a serious showstopper in any space, and with regular maintenance, you can keep your pride and joy shining for years to come. Two easy ways to stay on top of any dust and debris building up on your sofa are to:
- Hoover regularly. Your vacuum cleaner, plus a soft brush attachment, is the quickest way to gently remove dust and debris from the sofa's surface. To avoid any damage to the soft fabric, hoover in the direction of the velvet's nap (the raised fuzzy surface).
- Brush your velvet. Using a soft-bristled brush or an upholstery brush, brushing the fabric (again, in the direction of the nap) will help keep your velvet sofa’s plush pile looking fresh.
Let’s face it, spills and mishaps are a sign of a life well lived. If you have pets and or a young family, we recommend taking out a furniture protection care plan, these are very affordable and take the stress away from accidental damage. We offer Bolt Cover protection which gives you five years peace of mind, with a one-call advice line. The policy can be purchased up to the point of delivery of your sofa.
How to clean a velvet sofa
There may be times when a hoover and brush is not enough (the aftermath of a chocolate biscuit-dunking whoopsie, for example). It happens. In these situations, knowing how to clean a velvet sofa can make a huge difference to its everlasting beauty.
But velvet care varies depending on its construction, and some velvets are more robust than others. So, if you don’t have policy cover then we’d first recommend checking your sofa for care information. If you do have policy cover, it’s important to check your guarantee: some can be invalidated if certain chemicals have been used on the sofa. The company you bought the sofa from may also be able to help – our Customer Service team will always advise on any of our sofas.
We always advise to avoid using harsh substances such as bleach and other chemical cleaners, which can damage your gorgeous velvet. And if you’re testing a velvet cleaner for the first time, pick a spot on the sofa that can’t be seen.
Thankfully, the right supplies are probably already in your house, including:
- A soft-bristled brush or upholstery brush.
- Hoover with a soft brush attachment.
- A velvet fabric cleaner - we’re fans of the Stainguard Fabric Care Kit (we stock both leather and fabric care kits) which includes a deodoriser, oil and grease stain remover, mild cleaner, and tough stain remover.
- White clean cloths or microfibre towels to blot spills
- Bowl of cold water (use sparingly to avoid further staining).
- Soft sponge.
Once you have your supplies, follow these steps to get your velvet sofa back to its original beauty:
- Blot the spill. First thing’s first: use a clean, white cloth to blot any spill gently, taking up any excess liquid before you clean. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the liquid deeper into your sofa’s fabric.
- Test the solution. Before applying any solution to the spillage, first test it on a more hidden area of the sofa to make sure it doesn't cause discolouration.
- Gently clean the sofa. Dip a soft sponge or cloth into your cleaning solution and gently blot the stain, working from the outside in to prevent spreading. If cleaning a larger area, wipe down the sofa in sections. Be careful not to soak the fabric.
- Rinse and dry. Finally, use a clean, damp cloth to blot any soap residue from the area, then allow it to air dry completely. Avoid direct heat or sunlight.
- Finish with a brush. Brushing the fabric in the direction of the nap with a soft-bristled brush can help restore its soft, rich appearance.
Learning how to care for a velvet sofa will help keep your statement furniture looking and feeling luxurious for years to come. With regular maintenance, swift spot cleaning when needed, and gentle care, it’s simple to preserve velvet’s timeless beauty and comfort.
From plums and pinks to mustards and marmalade, explore the wide range of colours, styles, and sizes in our velvet sofa collection. If you’d prefer to feel them for yourself, come and sink into one in person at our showroom.
