How to Clean a Velvet Sofa

Velvet sofas need regular cleaning.

Velvet sofas are a luxurious way to lounge away the hours. Velvet is a soft, durable fabric that looks stylish in any home. Velvet sofas need regular care so the fabric remains fresh-looking and clean. Velvet fabric easily attracts dust, which is held under the nap, trapping the dirt and making the velvet look drab and dingy. Regular cleaning helps the velvet sofa reclaim its style and beauty.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Soft-bristled vacuum brush attachment
• Dish detergent
• Clean, wet cloths
• Clean, dry cloth

Instructions

1. Attach the soft-bristled brush attachment to the vacuum.

2. Turn the vacuum on and run the soft brush over the velvet couch. Run the brush against the nap so that the pile of the fabric is raised up. This ensures you get any dirt that may hide under the nap.

3. Remove the cushions, if you have removable cushions, and clean the underside. Reverse the cushions when you replace them. Reverse the cushions every time you vacuum the sofa.

4. Dab a dime-sized amount of dish detergent on one end of a wet, clean cloth.

5. Rub any stains on the velvet sofa with the detergent. Go against the nap to get any stains under the fabric pile.

6. Rinse the soap with a clean, wet rag. Make sure all soap residue is gone.

7. Dry the wet area with a clean, dry rag. Dry with the nap up so the fabric pile can dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Test an area of the sofa that is not highly visible with the dish detergent first to make sure the detergent does not fade the fabric.

References

• Apartment Therapy: How to Clean Velvet Chesterfield Sofa
• Pioneer Thinking: Mom's Advice