How to clean velvet

If you’re cleaning velvet…

• Always read the care label on your velvet before cleaning

• Regularly clean velvet curtains. They should be washed at home or taken to the dry cleaner once every 12 months

• Never iron velvet – this could crush the pile and damage the fabric

Velvet – a luxuriously soft fabric, often associated with nobility. Adorned by Arabian rulers and Venetian aristocrats since the 14th century, it’s now a fabric that isn’t exclusively reserved for the royals!

Many high street stores stock an array of stylish velvet garments and a touch of velvet can add a bit of opulence to any home. But, as with any lavish fabric, you’ll want to make sure you take care of it in the appropriate way.  

You may find yourself asking questions like “can you hand wash velvet?” and “how can you remove stains from velvet?” This simple guide explains all you need to know about how to clean velvet curtains and garments to make caring for velvet easy.

Tackle stains on velvet as soon as they happen. A fresh stain will be easier to remove than one that’s been there for months

Can You Wash Velvet in the Washing Machine?

When cleaning any fabric the simplest option is to pop it in the washing machine, however, you need to be careful with a delicate pile fabric, like velvet. Check the care labels and if the instructions state that the velvet is machine-washable then it’s okay to put it in the washing machine but you should select a gentle or hand-wash cycle though, and use gentle laundry detergent.

Can You Hand Wash Velvet?

If you don’t fancy washing your velvet clothes or items in the washing machine then there is always the option to hand wash them. This will require a little more time and care and should always be done if items are marked as hand wash only on the care label.

If you’re worried about hand washing velvet then it might be advisable to take the items to a professional dry cleaner. You should always do this if the care label says “dry clean only” too.

How to Clean Velvet Curtains & Clothing in 5 Steps

The following steps can be used for velvet curtains or garments that are hand wash only or machine-washable (just check the item’s care label).

1. Gently vacuum the surface of the velvet using the soft bristle attachment on your hoover to remove dust and dirt. You may want to skip this step if you’re cleaning velvet clothes as they’re less likely to collect dust than velvet curtains. If you can adjust the suction power of your vacuum cleaner then it might be worth turning it down a little.

2. Remove small stains with water. Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and gently rub the stain. Do not put too much pressure on the fabric as this could cause damage.

3. Remove tough stains with dishwashing detergent. Mix together a solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Dip a clean cloth in the soapy mixture and apply to the stain. Gently rub until the stain disappears.

4. Dry any excess water by dabbing with a dry towel.

5. Brush the velvet dry with a soft-bristled brush. This is an important step to help maintain the smooth finish to the velvet.

How to Remove Creases from Velvet

The fact that you should never iron velvet can make removing creases from clothes and curtains made from this material a little tricky. Ironing this material can crush the pile and leave your clothes or curtains looking permanently  damaged, but what can you do instead?

For velvet curtains, use a hand steamer and lightly steam the back of the curtains to remove deep creases and crinkles. For velvet clothes, you can get rid of wrinkles by simply hanging the clothes to dry as soon as they’ve been washing. Place them on hangers and ensure they are able to hang at their full length so that the creases drop and smooth out naturally.

Knowing how to clean velvet couldn’t be simpler – just remember our five-step technique and never iron your velvet.