How to Care for Vintage Chenille

The word "chenille" means "caterpillar" in French, and it gets the name from its fuzzy appearance. In the past, most chenille was made from silk, but modern chenille is usually made from cotton. In the early 1900s, chenille bedspreads came into style, and chenille furnishings are still a great way to make a room feel soft and cozy. However, because chenille is such a delicate fabric, you must be careful to keep it looking fresh and fluffy. Here are some useful tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wash your vintage chenille on the gentle cycle, and add liquid fabric softener during the rinse cycle.

2. There are three options for drying vintage chenille: dry it completely flat, dry it flat until it is damp and then finish it off in the dryer, or dry it completely in the dryer. Using a dryer can make the chenille fluffier, but it can also slowly wear at the fabric. Set the dryer on the lowest heat setting possible.

3. Do not apply unnecessary pressure to the surface of the chenille. For example, do not lie directly on the chenille. Do not tug or pull on the chenille to fold it.

4. Repair damaged areas of the chenille immediately. Tiny holes will grow quickly in vintage chenille, so prompt attention is imperative.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using a dryer, make sure to clean the lint filter before and after drying the vintage chenille. The filter will fill up quickly. You can apply bleach to white chenille occasionally to remove stains and brighten the color.
• Do not hang chenille to dry, or it will stretch. Dry it flat instead.