How to Clean a Velvet Chair
Velvet is a relatively delicate fabric. Some stains may be impossible to remove, especially if allowed to set in. Velvet is usually classed as a cleaning code "S" product, which means that your at-home cleaning options are limited to spot cleaning with a water-free dry-cleaning solvent. If your velvet chair needs deep cleaning, your only option is to call a professional, but small spots and light soil still are worth tackling on your own. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Hurry up and wait after a spill: Shake any excess liquid off the chair right away and lay a paper towel over the spill to soak up any excess wetness, replacing the towel as it soaks through. But then do no further cleaning until the spot has had a chance to dry. Above all, don't blot at the stain; blotting might crush the velvet.
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Dampen a dye-free rag in a water-free dry-cleaning solvent such as DryMax and spot test the solvent on a hidden area of the velvet chair, for example underneath a seat cushion, to make sure it will not discolor the fabric. Make sure you wipe with the nap of the fabric so that it "lays down," not against it. Wait a couple of minutes for the spot to dry. If there is no discoloration, continue on to the next step. If there is discoloration, you'll have to either test a different solvent or have the chair professionally cleaned.
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Wipe the stained area gently in the same direction as the pile (with the grain, so to speak), using the same solvent you just tested as safe on a hidden area of the chair. Keep turning the cloth as you dirty it, so that you're always using a clean part of it to wipe the stain.
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Wait until the fabric is completely dry, then gently brush it with a suede brush to help restore the fabric's texture. Brush against the pile, as if you were brushing against the hair on a dog's back, then brush with it.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice preventive maintenance: Vacuum your velvet chair when you do your other vacuuming, using a flat head attachment for the flat surfaces and a narrow nozzle attachment to get into the corners. This helps keep dirt from getting embedded in the velvet and reduces the need for deeper cleaning.
