How to Clean a Velvet Armchair
Velvet is one of the most beautiful upholstery fabrics — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to care. Many people are nervous about cleaning velvet, but with the right approach it is straightforward to keep a velvet armchair looking beautiful for decades.
First: know your velvet
Not all velvet is the same. Modern cut velvets designed for upholstery — like Romo’s Omega or Linwood’s Wiggle — are considerably more durable and easier to care for than antique or fashion velvets. They are typically made from synthetic fibres (polyester or polyamide) or cotton-blends that are resistant to crushing and relatively tolerant of light cleaning.
Always check the care label or the fabric specification before cleaning. If in doubt, contact the fabric manufacturer directly — all of our fabric brand partners have customer care lines.
Day-to-day maintenance
Brush regularly. The most important thing you can do for a velvet chair is brush it gently with a soft-bristled upholstery brush in the direction of the pile. This removes dust and surface debris before it can settle into the fibres. Do this weekly if the chair is in regular use.
Rotate and fluff. If your chair has a removable seat cushion, rotate it periodically to distribute wear evenly. Plump and reshape cushions after use.
Keep away from direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade velvet — especially darker, saturated tones. Position velvet chairs away from south-facing windows, or use good quality curtains or blinds.
Dealing with crushed pile
Velvet pile can become crushed from sustained pressure — from sitting in the same spot repeatedly, or from an object resting against it. This is not damage; it is simply the pile fibres lying flat.
To restore crushed pile, hold a steam iron a few centimetres above the fabric (do not touch the velvet with the iron) and apply steam. Immediately brush the pile gently with a soft brush in the direction of the nap. The combination of heat and brushing will lift the pile back to its natural position. This works reliably on modern upholstery velvets.
Spot cleaning
Act immediately when a spill occurs — the longer a spill sits, the harder it is to remove.
- Blot, never rub. Use a clean, dry white cloth and blot firmly to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Rubbing will spread the stain and damage the pile.
- For water-based stains (wine, juice, tea, coffee): once you have blotted away as much as possible, apply a small amount of upholstery cleaner or a solution of mild washing-up liquid and cold water to a clean white cloth and blot — do not rub — the stained area. Work from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading.
- For oil-based stains (grease, butter): sprinkle a small amount of dry cornstarch or talcum powder on the stain and leave for 20–30 minutes to absorb the grease, then brush away gently. Follow with a mild upholstery cleaner if needed.
- Allow to dry naturally — never use a hairdryer or apply heat. Once dry, brush gently with a soft brush to restore the pile.
Always test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first — such as the back of a cushion or the underside of the seat.
Professional cleaning
For a thorough clean, or for stubborn stains you cannot shift at home, we recommend professional upholstery cleaning. Use a specialist upholstery cleaner rather than a general carpet cleaner — the methods are different and a specialist will know how to handle velvet correctly. Clean the whole chair rather than individual panels to avoid tide marks.
What to avoid
- Never use a washing machine or apply large amounts of water to a velvet chair
- Never use bleach or harsh chemical cleaners
- Never iron directly on velvet — always use steam with the iron held above the fabric
- Never scrub — always blot
- Avoid sharp objects near velvet — it catches and can pull pile threads
Our velvet collections
If you are considering a velvet armchair, explore our velvet fabric collections: Romo Omega and Elba, Linwood Wiggle, Ian Sanderson Hinako, and Harlequin Duck Pond Velvet. Order free samples to see and feel the options before you commit.