Synthetic velvet fabrics, like the Passione fabric range for our made-to-order sofas, are recommended for households with kids and pets. It gives you the same luxurious feel of cotton velvet but tends to be a bit easier to care for. That coffee spill from the fidgety kids won’t stain as easily on synthetic velvet.
Our Passione velvet withstands a rub count of 100,000 (most domestic fabrics have a fifth of that number with 20,000 rub counts), and in fact any piece from our velvet collection is ideal for families and pet owners.
Velvet has a reputation for being high-maintenance, fussy, and reserved for only the super clean. While it looks undoubtedly luxe, velvet isn’t much more difficult to maintain than other fabrics or materials.
General Maintenance Tips
Been away from home and come back to some dusty velvet cushions after a couple of weeks away? For dust and any other dry messes, such as crumbs, a quick vacuum will deal with everyday dry messes that seem to creep up when nobody’s watching. Just make you're using the soft brush attachment to prevent any scuffs or scratches.
Velvet is plush and has a higher pile than most fabrics. It can get compressed when under pressure or weight for long periods of time, which will appear as a crease or white stain. Noticed a crease in your made-to-order Ohio sofa in luxurious Passione Elephant? Here's an easy fix.
Get a handheld steamer and set it to the lowest heat setting, or select the steam setting on your iron. Find a stiff brush or a Velvet brush - which can be found online and are relatively inexpensive. Once the steamer has heated up, start in one corner and move the steamer across the fabric in the opposite direction of the pile, whilst brushing the fibers up as you steam in the direction of the velvet fibers. Make sure to not hold the steamer in the same spot for more than a few seconds.
By incorporating these tasks into your regular cleaning routine, caring for velvet furniture is actually quite simple. Quickly swap the attachment fitting for an upholstery cleaner to keep your velvet sofa dust and scuff-free, whilst you are vacuuming the floor or carpet in your lounge.
Stain Removal
If you have pets, kids, or just a messy person in the family, it is going to happen eventually. It is impossible to go through life without staining something you should not have. So, when the inevitable happens, you need to be prepared. The number 1 rule is to catch them immediately as they happen - allowing time to dry will make it near impossible to remove them. Here's our guide on how to deal with a fresh stain on Velvet furniture.
1. Grab a few paper towels or a clean absorbent white cloth
Firstly, scrape off any solids whilst avoiding going against the grain. Delicately place the towels on the stain. Do not rub or dab, as this may push the stain deeper into the fibers of the fabric. Leave it for 5-10 minutes to soak up as much as possible.
2. Prepare a solution for your Velvet Furniture
Whilst the towels are soaking up the stain, get a deep bowl and pour in 100ml of lemon juice and stir in a tablespoon of bicarbonate soda. The mixture will fizz, creating foam and bubbles on the surface of the liquid. Alternatively, shake up 50ml of water and a few drops of washing-up liquid to create suds.
3. Applying the Solution
Whichever solution is used, use only the bubbly foam to clean the velvet fabric. Dip a clean white cloth into the foamy bubbles and gently blot the stain - keep blotting until the stain is no longer visible. Remember to only use the foamy bubbles, take care not to saturate the velvet.
4. Drying
Now leave the velvet to air and dry. After it has completely dried out, use the vacuuming technique above to ensure it looks smooth and blends in with the rest of the fabric.
Some Tips from the Professionals
When placing your velvet furniture in your living space, find a spot that is not in direct sunlight as this can lead to fading. Also, if you have children or pets, consider a protective cover or throw to avoid damage and scuffing. Always read the care label before attempting to machine wash cushion covers.
If you are ever in doubt about how to deal with a new stain, or if you have discovered a tough old stain, contact a professional upholstery cleaner.
Premium Velvet fabrics are available on all of our made-to-order sofas which come with matching scatter cushions, various footstools, and headrests in the matching fabric. Ordering a Quatropi sofa couldn't be easier - we wrote a blog about it here! If you have any questions about our sofa or the fabric ranges, talk to the sales team or leave a message on Live Chat.
