Its luxurious look and smooth feel exudes elegance – but velvet's delicate texture requires special care to clean and maintain. Fear not! Our six-step expert guide reveals exactly how to wash velvet, with tips and tricks from cleaning pros to help you avoid the most common mistakes that might ruin your velvet. How to do laundry well begins with understanding your fabrics.
Whether it’s a velvet dress, cushion cover, or window treament, this guide details how to wash this special fabric without ruining its plush appearance. Step 1: Check the label Before anything else, check the care label on your velvet item. Some velvets, like those made of silk or rayon, may require dry cleaning.
Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning , says, 'Always start by reading the care label. Some velvet items may be dry-clean only, and overlooking this can prove a painful mistake.' However, many modern velvet fabrics — particularly those made from polyester or a blend of synthetic fibers — can be machine or hand-washed.
The care label will tell you the recommended method and temperature to use. Step 2: Test for colorfastness Velvet can bleed color, so it's important to test a small, hidden section before fully washing. Dampen a clean white cloth with water and press it gently onto the fabric.
If color transfers onto the cloth, the item is not colorfast, and you should take it to a professional cleaner. Washing it at home could lead to unwanted color change, blotchy results or u.