How to Clean Velvet Couch Covers

Velvet upholstery provides a plush touch to sofas and accent chairs, but its luxurious loops also catch dirt and make spills more noticeable. While dry cleaning may come to mind as the obvious choice for cleaning velvet, many modern velvet fabrics are machine washable for DIY care at home.

With some understanding of velvet’s characteristics and the use of gentle methods, you can easily keep velvet couch covers looking lovely through regular laundering.

What is Velvet Fabric?

Woven Texture

Velvet is a woven textile known for its ultra-soft pile or “nap.” The fabric is created by weaving two sets of yarns at right angles to one another, with one yarn slightly longer than the other. This causes the longer yarns to curl upwards, forming thousands of tiny loops that feel lushly soft against the skin.

Silk / Cotton Base

While velvet fabrics were traditionally made from silk or cotton. Synthetics like polyester are now common as well. Velvets come in a variety of weights including lightweight summer styles and thick winter velvets.

Stain Resistance

The material provides impressive stain resistance and hiding power due to the dense pile construction. However, its loopy surface is also prone to flattening or snagging if laundered or dried improperly.

Pre-Wash Checks for Velvet Couch Covers

Before washing your velvet furniture covers or couch cushions, do a care tag check to ensure they are labelled machine washable. Some luxury velvets may still require dry cleaning. It’s also important to test wash a hidden swatch first to check for colorfastness or changes in pile appearance.

Remove any detachable cushions or welting from the couch cover. Close up any zippers, ties, or openings to avoid trapping moisture inside seams during washing. Shake out the cover to dislodge loose dirt or pills prior to loading. Pre-treat any visible stains with an appropriate spot remover also.

Machine Washing Velvet Covers

Check Care Tags

If the care tag and test swatch indicate machine washing is safe, follow these steps for successful laundering. Use the gentle or delicate cycle and cold water only to avoid damaging the velvet’s fibers. Warmth can cause the pile to move down.

Be Careful With Detergents

Add a small amount (1/4) of liquid detergent made for delicate fabrics. Too much soap risks leaving residues. Load the washing machine with just the single velvet item to prevent abrasion from heavier items.

Select Spin Cycle Accordingly

Select a slow spin or drain-only setting to minimize the pressing of the plush fibers flat against each other. It’s best to avoid filling the washer full to gently swish the velvet cover clean without harsh rubbing. Upon removal, check for any signs of changes in the pile appearance and discoloration. Rinse thoroughly until all soap is removed before proceeding to drying.

Drying Velvet Couch Covers

Towel Press

Careful steps must be taken when transitioning from washing to drying velvet to preserve its luxurious loft and texture. Spread the cover flat on a clean towel & gently press out moisture before proceeding.

Air Dry Is Best Option

Avoid twisting or wringing the velvet. Lay Air drying is preferable whenever possible as natural air flow causes less flattening of the fibers compared to machine methods. If air drying outdoors, place the velvet out of direct sunlight which can cause fading over time.

Care For Moisture

Bring indoors before fully drying to avoid moisture issues. For speedier drying, use the air fluff or no-heat setting on a dryer but check frequently to avoid over-drying. Remove immediately if feeling warm to the touch. Never use the heated cycle on velvet as heat will press or damage the plush fibers.

Steam Iron

Residual moisture can be removed using a press cloth and steam iron on the lowest setting if needed. After drying, check the velvet fibers to ensure no matting occurs during laundering. If the pile looks restored, your couch cover is now ready for cozy lounging once more!

Handling Common Stains to Wash Velvet Couch Covers

Blot & Treat

Despite velvet’s ability to mask dirt visually, spills do happen. Blot and treat different types of stains promptly for best results. If stains happen, blot don’t rub liquid. Let solids dry up first then gently brush away. Spot treat marks before washing.

Food/Drinks

Velvet hides dirt well, but washing lets it look fresh longer. Give it a once over for pilling too using a sweater shaver or lint roller. Use a spoon to scrape off solids. Blot liquids with a white cloth and pre-treat the remaining stains with detergent before washing.

Makeup

Just like dirt and debris, makeup marks from foundation and colors leave stain for long time. Treat it immediately when you spot it. Dab the mark with rubbing alcohol or gentle makeup remover on a cotton ball before laundering.

Mud

Pet feet, toddler’s fun activity and marks on the furniture that is in the open air are sometimes from mud. If that seeps deep inside the cushion, it can damage the upholstery. You need to treat these stains carefully. Let dry completely then gently brush away dry clumps and dust with a bristle brush.

Perspiration

Moisture that is left behind in your sofa covers can lead to fabric damages more quickly. Moreover, body sweats not only damage the fabric from moisture but odor from these agents can damage the cushions deep inside. Blot excess moisture, as it can cause cause Mold, and wash as usual once dry. For set-in stains try an enzymatic pre-wash treatment.

Wine/Coffee

I will recommend you to keep your liquids away from sofa and couch. But if you somehow, manage to spill it on the sofa, run for the cleaning process. Blot immediately and pre-treat the stain using white vinegar or oxygen bleach powder mixed with water.

Periodic Velvet Revitalization

Prevent Bobbling

While machine laundering is often possible for newly developed velvets, surface pilling or “bobbling” can occur over time due to friction from wear and cleaning cycles. To restore velvet’s luxurious touch between washes, use these tips.

Use Fabric Shaver

Use a fabric shaver designed for removing piles of fiber from synthetic and natural fibers. Hold it at a slight angle and shave in one direction. For spot treatments, try a stiff bristle brush or pilling tool to gently roll pills away from the pile surface.

Steam Clean & Vacuum

Steam cleaning velvet with a garment steamer on a low setting can lift dirt and revive flattened areas without Immersing in water.With regular vacuuming to remove surface dust plus occasional washing or professional dry cleaning.

Velvet furniture covers can maintain their plush appeal indoors for many comfortable years ahead when cared for properly. Simple steps preserve both the appearance and value of this investment fabric choice for sofas and seating.

Some Tips To Keep Velvet Cover Plush

Take Off Accessories Before Wash

Velvet is super soft and plush but can get dirty quickly. The good news is modern velvet is usually machine washable at home now. Just have to be really gentle. Start by checking the tag – some fancy velvet still needs dry cleaning. Take off any pillow inserts too so they don’t go through alone.

Use Cold Water

For the proper wash, use cold water and a tiny squirt of delicate soap. Too much will leave gunk behind. Put it in by itself on the gentle cycle. Slow spin or no spin is best – you don’t want those plush fibers matted down. Air drying is safer than the dryer, but low heat is okay if you check it a lot.

Dry Wisely

Lay it flat somewhere shady, the sun will fade it faster. Bring it in before totally dry so it doesn’t get musty. With some tender loving care like this, your velvet cover will feel plush again in no time! Just be gentle, as it can be with those loopy fibers. Velvet is super soft but also a lint and stain magnet. The good thing is most velvet today can be washed at home with a little TLC.

Do Not Rub In Spills

For spills, blot don’t rub. Let solids dry up then lightly brush away. Spot-treat stains before washing with dish soap or vinegar. Velvet hides most stains but washing keeps it looking fresh longer. Remove pills with a sweater shaver or sticky roller too. Treat it tender and those velvety fibers will feel amazing again in no time! With some TLC, your couch cover will be comfy for years to come.

Expert Technique With Hand Washing

Washing velvet requires gentle hands to preserve its plush softness. While laundry may seem intimidating, following some basic steps will have your covers cleaned like new without risk of damage. The key is moving slowly and carefully throughout the process.

Care Before Wash

Before washing, thoroughly vacuum the velvet to remove surface dirt. Pay close attention to seams and edges where debris tends to accumulate. Try using a brush attachment on the lowest suction setting for maximum dirt removal without disturbing the pile.

A Quick Scan

Next, check for any existing stains. For liquids, blot promptly with a clean white cloth. Press gently without rubbing which can bend the velvet fibers. Allow the area to fully air dry before laundering. For dried-in marks, use a microfiber cloth or soft brush to buff away crumbs or grit before treating.

Pre Treat

Pre-treat as needed according to stain type. For ground-in soils, make a paste of mild detergent and warm water. Test an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it doesn’t affect the color. Apply a small amount and let sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away the residue with a damp cloth.

Detergent Limitations To Wash Velvet Couch Covers

Sulfate Free Formula

When washing, use minimal detergent diluted in cold water. Too much suds can leave behind a sticky film on the velvet that’s tricky to remove. Look for a Sulfate-free, pH-neutral formula gentle enough even for baby clothes. Measure a single tablespoon for loads under 5 pounds of fabric.

Prevent Agitation

Load the washing machine loosely with just the single velvet cover or cushion to prevent over-agitation. Select the gentle or delicate cycle and cold water temperature. Higher heat can cause the fine fibers to matte down and lose their loft over time.

Fluff The Velvet

Lay flat away from direct sunlight – even indoors near heating vents – until fully dry, fluffing the velvet occasionally to maintain shape and volume. This prevents shrinking or flattening under heat while ensuring all moisture evaporates to discourage mildew growth.

Use Diluted Ammonia Solution / Hydrogen Per Oxide

For stubborn stains, spot testing hydrogen peroxide or a diluted ammonia solution on an inconspicuous area can lighten ground-in marks further without degrading the material when rinsed thoroughly. Always pre-test harsh chemicals that carry bleaching risks.

Regular Care

Keeping velvet dirt-free extends its lifespan immensely. Regular vacuuming plus gentle laundering as needed restores that plush hand feels for comfortable years yet to come. With pilling occurring less as synthetic blends advance too, velvet remains the epitome of luxury even through regular use and care.

Conclusion

First, check the tag if it says dry clean only, yak have to take it to the cleaners. Remove any pillow inserts or ties too so they don’t get tangled. When washing, use cold water on a gentle cycle. Add just a splash of delicate soap – too much leaves a gross film.

Once the cycle ends, remove promptly while still damp and roll in a clean towel to gently extract moisture without spiraling or wringing motions. Seeking to hasten drying is what can cause permanent damage, so patience is key.

Frequently Asked Questions