The Right Way to Clean Velvet
Is your velvet sofa looking less than luxe? Learn how to clean velvet furniture and keep it looking as sumptuous as the day you bought it.
Choosing velvet furniture is choosing to make a bold style statement in your space—there’s no ignoring its soft sheen, rich colour, and innate elegance. But velvet’s commanding presence also means that any discoloration or stains are that much more visible. No more hiding a dusty apartment…once the sunlight hits a velvet couch, there’s no hiding those annoying, allergy-inducing particles.
If you’ve opted for a bright, richly pigmented colour, like navy or chartreuse, we recommend avoiding direct sunlight, which can cause the fabric to fade. Consider window coverings substantial enough to protect your piece but lovely enough to catch the eye. Read on to learn how to clean velvet furniture and protect it from wear and tear and those inevitable spills.
Materials:
- Vacuum
- Absorbent cloth
- Soap and water or an upholstery cleaner
- Soft brush
Vacuum the fabric: Remember those pesky dust particles we were talking about? Well, in terms of regular maintenance, all you need to do to the item itself is give it a good dusting. We recommend regular vacuuming; a soft brush can also loosen surface dirt and brush it away.
Tackle spills the right way: If a friend does happen to spill their cocktail on your couch, White suggests blotting the area immediately with a clean, dry absorbent cloth. We then recommend mandating said friend to a different spot in your home. No one likes a party foul.
Test cleaning products: If a dried stain is staring you in the face and you just can’t help but do something about it, test any cleaning product (even basic soap and water) on a hidden spot to ensure it doesn’t ruin the fabric. Mix soap and water to create a sudsy solution. Use a soft cloth to blot the stain with the suds, then let the fabric dry completely.
Brush the fabric: Once the velvet is dry, use a soft, dry brush in the direction of the pile to restore its direction and loft. This will give the velvet that brand-new, never-been-touched look.
Turn to a professional: When in doubt, ask for help. It’s best to professionally clean the entire piece to ensure the colour remains uniform. To ensure your velvet furniture remains in optimal condition, you should have it professionally cleaned. Next up? Sit back, relax, and enjoy your good-as-new upholstery.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
-
82.3% Yes
-
15.1% No
-
2.6% Other - I'll share below
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.