The short version
- Vacuum weekly with a soft upholstery brush, working in the direction of the pile.
- Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth. Never rub.
- Use as little water as possible. Too much water leaves rings on velvet.
- Brush and steam lightly to lift flattened pile and pressure marks.
- Check the care label and test any product on a hidden area first.
Before you start: check the care label
Most upholstered sofas have a care code on a label under a seat cushion or under the frame. It tells you what is safe to use:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are fine |
| S | Solvent-based cleaner only, no water |
| W/S or SW | Either water-based or solvent-based |
| X | Vacuum only; leave anything more to a professional |
If there is no label, or you are not sure, start with the gentlest method and test on a hidden spot such as the back or underneath. If your sofa came from us, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you what suits your fabric.
How to clean a velvet sofa
Everyday care
Vacuum once a week with the soft brush attachment, working in the direction the pile runs. This lifts the dust and grit that would otherwise wear the fibres down. Plump and turn the seat cushions at the same time so they wear evenly.
Spills
Act quickly. Blot with a clean, dry, white cloth, pressing rather than rubbing, until no more liquid comes up. Rubbing pushes the spill into the foam and crushes the pile. If a mark remains and your label allows water, dampen a cloth very lightly with water and a drop of mild washing-up liquid, dab the mark, then dab again with a cloth dampened with clean water. Let it dry naturally, then brush the pile back up.
Pressure marks and flattened pile
Velvet flattens where people sit most. This is normal and isn’t damage. Hold a garment steamer or steam iron a few centimetres away from the fabric, never touching it, and let the steam lift the pile. Then brush gently with a soft clothes brush in the direction of the pile.
What to avoid on velvet
- Soaking the fabric or using a carpet cleaner, which can leave water rings
- Hair dryers or radiators to speed up drying
- Bleach, strong stain removers or anything not tested first
- Long hours of direct sunlight, which fades every fabric eventually
Crushed velvet
Crushed velvet has a deliberately uneven pile, so it already hides marks and pressure patches well. Clean it the same way as plain velvet: vacuum gently, blot spills and use as little water as possible. It doesn’t need brushing as carefully, because the crushed look is meant to vary.
Chenille, cord, woven and bouclé fabrics
- Chenille: vacuum regularly, especially with pets, as the soft texture holds hair. Blot spills and dab with a barely damp cloth if the label allows.
- Jumbo cord: crumbs settle into the ribs, so vacuum along the grain rather than across it.
- Flat woven fabrics (such as our Naple and Kensington): the easiest to look after. Vacuum, blot spills, and spot-clean with a damp cloth where the label allows.
- Bouclé: the loops can snag, so avoid stiff brushes and pull out loose loops gently rather than cutting them flush. Blot spills rather than scrubbing.
Our sofa fabric guide compares how each of these fabrics wears in everyday life.
Pet hair
A rubber glove dampened slightly and wiped across the fabric pulls up hair surprisingly well. A lint roller works on smaller areas. On velvet, finish by brushing the pile back in one direction.
When to call a professional
For large stains, old stains, water rings, or any sofa with an X or S care code, a professional upholstery cleaner is the safer choice. It costs less than trying to fix a mark that has been made worse.
Common questions
How do you clean a velvet sofa at home?
Vacuum weekly with a soft brush attachment, blot spills straight away with a clean dry cloth, and if the care label allows water, dab marks with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild washing-up liquid. Let it dry naturally, then brush the pile back up.
How do I get water marks out of a velvet sofa?
Water rings come from using too much water. Lightly dampen the whole panel evenly with a barely damp cloth so it dries uniformly, then brush the pile once dry. For stubborn rings, a professional upholstery cleaner is the safest option.
How do I fix flattened velvet?
Hold a steamer a few centimetres from the fabric without touching it, let the steam lift the pile, then brush gently in the direction of the pile. Flattened areas are normal on velvet and are not damage.
Is velvet a good sofa fabric if I have pets?
It can be. Velvet has no loose loops for claws to catch, and hair wipes off with a slightly damp rubber glove. Crushed velvet hides marks better than plain velvet.
Can I use a carpet cleaner on my sofa?
It is best not to on velvet, as it can leave water rings and flatten the pile. Always check the care code on your sofa's label first and test anything on a hidden area.