Here are the steps to clean velvet curtains and bedding:
- Materials. Gather all of the materials that you will need to clean the velvet curtains and bedding or comforters. These are absorbent cloths, a bucket of water, a bowl, dish washing liquid, a velvet brush, a vacuum and a hair dryer.
- Pre-Cleaning. Before cleaning the velvet, you have to do a pre-cleaning. This entails removing any dirt or dust that has accumulated on the fabric. Use the soft-bristled brush to brush any dust or dirt from the velvet. Use the vacuum to make sure that all of the dirt and dust is removed. Brush the velvet in only one direction using the velvet brush.
- Cleaning Spills. If your velvet fabric has some spills and stains on it, you can now work on removing these. It is advisable to clean any stains as soon as they occur so they won't set in the fabric. Use the absorbent and dab it on the area where the stain is. Absorb as much of the stain as you can without adding too much pressure, to avoid pressing the stain further into the fabric. Mix the dish washing liquid with warm water in a bowl. Use a cloth to dab the detergent on the stained area. Dab until the stain is gone.
- Drying. You can wait for the fabric to dry on its own, or you can use a hair dryer to quicken the process. Do not use high heat on the fabric. Also, do not put the hair dryer too close to the velvet as it might damage it. Allow a distance of about 5 to 10 inches. When the material is fully dry, use the soft bristled brush to brush the velvet in one direction.
- Steamer. This is an optional step. If you have a steamer at home, you can use it on the velvet after the fabric has completely dried. The steamer will make the velvet shinier and it will appear as good as new. If you do not have a steamer, you can hang the velvet in your bathroom. Fill the tub with hot water so that the steam which rises will help the velvet appear cleaner.
These are the steps that you should take to clean your velvet curtains and bedding. You might need help in cleaning these, as velvet has a tendency to be heavy. This is especially true when it's used in curtains and for bedding. If you want, you can also have a professional cleaner work on your velvet every once in a while to preserve its shine.
