How to Get the Crushed Look Out of Velvet

Restore the smoothness to your velvet fabrics.

Velvet is a rich, soft material usually reserved for luxurious garments or fancy upholstering. Though most velvet fabric arrives smooth, it is sometimes purposely wrinkled or "crushed" to add texture. Crushing can also happen accidentally as a result of poor storage. While restoring crushed velvet to its original, smooth state is challenging, you can remove most of the wrinkles with a simple household technique. Does this Spark an idea?

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Iron
Camel's hair brush

Instructions

- 1
  
  Fill your bathtub with hot water. The water should be hot enough to emit visible, billowing steam. Close all of your bathroom's windows to trap the steam.
- 2
  
  Hang your velvet article from a towel rack or door hook and shut the door. Allow the velvet to hang in the steamy bathroom for 15 to 20 minutes. The humidity will help release most of the wrinkles and naturally smooth the crushed look.
- 3
  
  Remove additional wrinkling by setting your iron to its "Steam" setting and passing it over the velvet gently. Hold the iron roughly 2 to 3 inches above the fabric as you treat it with steam.
- 4
  
  Place the velvet, smooth side facing up, on a flat surface. Brush the fabric vigorously with your camel's hair brush to raise any crushed fibers.
- 5
  
  Hang the velvet fabric until you are ready to wear it or use it for any other application. Avoid folding or rolling it if you plan to store it.