Velvet furniture looks luxurious and classy and is one of the most popular choices for sofas. In addition, they are durable because the fabric does not contain raised weaves and threads and last many years.
Is Velvet Sofa Easy to Clean? The velvet sofa is easy to clean, as the synthetic polyester velvet upholstery does not allow the dust and stains to go deep and absorb in the fabric. You can clean it using a soft bristle brush, vacuum it, or use washing-up liquids, lemon juice, and baking soda to remove stubborn stains.
The first thing that we usually consider when selecting a furniture item for the house is its fabric because some fabrics are easy to clean while others are not. Be careful if you have a sofa or couch with delicate and rich textured fabric.
Why is Velvet Sofa Easy to Clean?
There is a misconception that velvet sofas are challenging to clean and require more maintenance. In fact, they are much easier to clean and maintain than some fabrics.
These sofas are available in polyester, cotton, and silk fabrics. Each fabric has a soft, chic, and delicate appearance, which many people opt to put in their luxurious living rooms and bedrooms.
The synthetic polyester velvet sofa is less susceptible to permanent stains and dust accumulation and is easy to clean and maintain. However, it is better to clean the spills quickly when you drop a glass of water or coffee.
The polyester synthetic fabric prevents the stains from going deep and prevents discoloration due to heat and sunlight. You can clean and maintain these sofas at home, unlike velvet silk sofa, which needs to be cleaned by professionals and needs more maintenance.
The cotton and silk fabrics are more prone to stains and can cause discoloration if you place the sofa in your living room where direct sunlight hits the fabric. However, it is not too hard to maintain and clean the cotton and silk furniture, as you can prevent any damage and stains on it by quickly cleaning the spills.
Professionals recommend selecting modern synthetic polyester velvet sofas for your living space, as they are perfect if you have kids and pets.
How can you clean the velvet sofa without damaging the upholstery?
You can maintain the velvet sofa and keep them clean without damaging the upholstery using the following steps and methods.
Use a brush to clean the dust
The dust and pet hair can stick to the velvet surface, and the couch looks messy and unattractive. Use a soft brush to clean the dust and hair from its surface by gently sweeping it over the surface.
Different brushes are available to clean the furniture upholstery, as they have soft bristles to avoid damage to delicate fabrics.
Do not rub the brush harshly on the upholstery because it can cause the fibers or soft pile to get crushed and lose its sheen texture. Gentle dabbing and sweeping will keep the fabric in good condition and remove dust particles and other food crumbs.
Vacuum it with an upholstery attachment
Vacuum the sofa with a special upholstery attachment is essential to keep the fabric in its original and new condition. You can attach a dusting and upholstery brush with the vacuum nozzle and use it gently to avoid damage to the furniture.
Start to form the top of the couch and move it to cover all the parts and corners. Focus on its edges and corners because dust is more likely to collect in the corners.
It is better not to push the vacuum nozzle into the sofa, as it can cause the fabric to be damaged and crushed due to much pressure. Instead, try to move it all over the couch gently, and do not forget to vacuum the velvet cushions attached to your couch.
Use wash-up liquid
You can use washing-up liquids to remove the coffee or water spills from the upholstery, especially the polyester velvet sofas are easy to clean with washing-up liquids.
You should select a mild liquid with no toxic chemicals because a harsh liquid cleaner can damage the fabric and causes discoloration.
Mix the washing-up liquid in water and mix it well to make the foam. Apply only the foam on the stains with a soft cloth. Gently dub it to remove the spills, and push the liquid outward using a tea towel or a soft cloth.
Keep on blotting the stains until they are invisible, and let the upholstery dry by turning the room fan on for 30-40 minutes. Vacuum the couch to make it look smooth and shiny.
Try lemon juice and baking soda on hard stains
Use lemon juice and baking soda for the stains on the sofa, as the solution reacts immediately and removes the stubborn stains from its surface.
Take 50-100 ml of lemon juice and add one tablespoon of baking soda to it. Stir the solution well until it makes fizzy foam on top.
Use the bubble foam on the stains by dipping a soft cloth in the solution and applying it to the stains. Do not rub the upholstery vigorously because it can damage the fabric, and it will lose its shine.
Let the upholstery dry for 4-6 hours, and it can dry soon if you turn the room fan on and increase its speed. Fluff the couch or vacuum it to retain the new and fresh look.
Clean it with a soft cloth
Do not use abrasive cleaning tools on velvet sofas, as they are delicate and can get crushed or damaged. Always use a soft cloth or tea towel to clean and dry the upholstery.
A stiff cloth can cause the pile to tuft, loose, or shed over time. Professionals and furniture manufacturers recommend using a soft cloth and mild cleaner to keep the original color and shin of the upholstery.
Use a hair dryer to dry the surface
I usually use the hair dryer to dry the couch if you spill water on it with the lowest heat settings because high heat can cause the fabric to be damaged.
Do not to go too close to the upholstery, and keep it a few inches away from the sofa. It is better to read the manufacturer’s instructions before applying any cleaning product or hair dryer to it because they use different fabrics with distinct properties.
The silk velvet couch cannot withstand the direct heat from sunlight and causes fading over time; therefore, gather the essential knowledge about the fabric before using a hair dryer.
Restore its shine
Velvet has high fabric strands, and it appears compressed if you put pressure on the same side or area for a long time. In addition, the white stains and creases make the velvet look crushed and unattractive. These creases become permanent if you do not restore the naps and remove the stains soon.
Steaming is another way to clean the stains and restore its shine without damaging the upholstery of the furniture items.
You can use a hand-held steamer to lift the nap with low heat and make the velvet look new. However, the high heating setting is not safe for the upholstery and causes the delicate fabric to melt or tear apart.
Keep the steamer moving in all directions over the sofa, and brush the surface gently with your hands to smooth the fabric strands and release the creases.
How often to clean a velvet sofa?
It is better to clean your sofa once a week, such as brushing it after 6-7 days or using a vacuum cleaner after a week.
Frequent cleaning is essential to avoid dust accumulation on the velvet sofa, which enters through the open windows. In addition, the kids in the house can spill a drink, ketchup, pizza sauce, and other food crumbs on the couch, which makes it look unpleasant and dirty.
Velvet is a fabric that needs special attention and caution to clean and maintain because of the delicate upholstery used in manufacturing.
Cleaning as soon as you or the kids drop something on the sofa will keep it luxurious and new and make it last many years.
Does velvet attract dust and dirt?
Velvet attracts dust, dirt, and pet hair because of its rich texture and fuzzy fabric. It can trap dust particles and make them settle inside the upholstery if you do not vacuum it regularly.
There is no way to avoid dirt and dust entering the house, as you can find it on your furniture, floor, curtains, and other items.
You can prevent dust on the velvet sofa by cleaning the floor because pets can carry the dust particles with them and make the couch or sofa dirty.
Moreover, the dirty vents in the house can also make the couch collect dust because the air coming through the dirty vents will also contain dust. Therefore, clean the venting system once a year to keep the furniture and floor clean.
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