Velvet is one of the most premium fabrics for upholstery that has been around since the 14th century, and it symbolises elegance and royalty. Velvet furniture, especially sofas, increases the aesthetic appeal of your home.
However, velvet upholstery requires extra care and routine cleaning to have a long shelf life and pristine appearance. And that’s the tricky part because you must use specific methods to get rid of stains, spots and dust from the sofa. If you fail to take care of your velvet sofa, it will become dirty and need replacement.
If you are a renter, it is a serious problem because your landlord can deduct money from the
security deposit (rental bond) to get the furniture professionally cleaned. Therefore, it is best to hire professionals for bond cleaning in Brisbane who are well-versed in cleaning different upholstery.
However, for routine sanitation and maintenance of your velvet sofa, use this complete guide to learn more about the fabric and how to keep it clean.
What is Velvet?
It is a sleek, smooth and downy fabric that gets its feather-soft textures through clipped yarns. It is made with silk, cotton or synthetic fibres. It is a manufactured material that shines with light exposure. Velvet production increased with the industrial revolution, and it became cheaper. The fabric is made with a unique loom that spins two layers simultaneously.
Since the fabric’s main attribute is its softness, it is commonly used for things that come in contact with skin, like upholstery, bedding, clothes etc.
Types of Velvet
Velvet is available in different grades and types. Depending on the texture and thickness of the fabric, it is used for apparel or upholstery. Thus, knowing what type of velvet your sofa has is of utmost importance. You can clean it with the right products and tools.
Additionally, when you hire a professional cleaner who offers
house cleaning Brisbane, you can share this information with them to ensure the furniture is cleaned with damage. Here is a list of the most common types of velvet.
Mohair
Silk
Rayon/Nylon
Linen
Chiffon
Crushed
Embossed
Hammered
Panne
Lyons
Utrecht
Voided
Ring
The best type of velvet for a sofa is Silk or Mohair, but if your budget is tight, you can go for synthetic fibre velvet.
Cleaning Velvet Sofa
Removing spots, stains and dust from velvet sofas is a matter of minutes if you learn the right way and have the necessary supplies. Want to know how professionals performing upholstery and bond cleaning in Brisbane clean velvet sofas? Read on.
1. Steam Clean the Sofa
Steam cleaning velvet sofa is the best method for cleaning velvet as it removes matting, creases and contaminants. Steam is an effective cleaner and disinfectant because it can remove grime, dust and grease.
Additionally, it can kill most harmful pathogens that cause viral and
bacterial infections, as it reaches over 300°C. Ensure the heat setting is low, and you don’t stay in one spot for too long. Also, move the cleaner once against the pile direction to get the dust, grime and contaminants embedded in the fabric.
2. Clean as You Spill
Spills on upholstery can happen anytime, especially when you have kids or pets. Therefore, keep a terry towel or microfiber cloth handy to clean spills immediately as they happen. It will prevent the stains from embedding deep into the fabric or spreading. Aim to clean the stains when wet because dry stains are harder to remove, and you may need professional help to treat them.
3. Use Soap & Water
For cleaning most velvet upholstery, you don’t need expensive cleaning agents. You can prepare a cleaning solution at home by mixing dishwashing liquid or
any other mild liquid soap with water in a spray bottle. Apply the cleaner to the affected area and gently dab until the solution and the stain comes off the velvet sofa.
4. Vacuum the Upholstery
Retain the shine and sanitation of the velvet sofa by vacuuming it every week. You can use the brush tool for the overall vacuuming of the velvet sofa and the crevice tool for removing debris from creases and corners. Move top to bottom using slow, deliberate strokes to agitate and collect dust like a professional bond cleaner in Brisbane.
5. Dab, Don’t Rub
A
rookie cleaning mistake most people make while spot-cleaning upholstery or carpets is rubbing a stain instead of dabbing. Rubbing a spill with a cloth causes the stain to spread and make a bigger mess.
Therefore, you must always dab the dirty area to transfer the stain onto a towel, tissue or cloth. It is a professional method used by professionals performing bond cleaning in Brisbane, which is why you get quick and effective results.
The Bottom Line
A velvet sofa is one of the most pristine and regal-looking pieces of furniture you can have in your home. It can elevate the look and character of any room. Thus, if you have it, use this guide to take care of it like a pro.
However, hire professionals for upholstery and bond cleaning in Brisbane without hesitation if you lack the confidence to clean it yourself or need to get your bond back.
