A Guide to Caring for Velvet

Fistly, it is vital to ensure the velvet is suitable for use as an upholstery fabric.

Apply the appropriate methods to avoid unnecessary breakage and fabric tears, including making a seam for the cut edges and folding twice prior to nailing or stapling the fabric.

To ensure the velvet’s longevity and reduced pile-loss, it is suggested that you use an interliner even for back-coated velvets, instead of applying the velvet directly onto foam fillings.

For upholstery usages, it is advised to have the velvet pile facing downwards. 

It is important to inform the cuts needed when buying velvet for making curtains. This is to help accommodate any irregularities.

Velvet curtains should be hung with the pile facing upwards to achieve a deep, rich colour. This will also make it easier to eliminate pile disturbances as the pile is more settled.

Lining velvet curtains will protect them against direct exposure to UV light, lessening pile loss, fading, and fibre damage. A lining will also improve your curtain’s overall appearance as they will drape smoothly.

We strongly advise using a pull cord or rod when opening and closing velvet curtains. Lessening hand contact is recommended to reduce fabric damage.

Velvet curtains require special care after they have been hung. Once the curtains have been drawn across, allow the pile to breathe and settle. It will continue to relax over time as it is exposed to the surrounding atmospheric conditions. In humid climates, velvet often settles on its own, however, in dry climates, velvet may require assistance to settle properly. In this case, spray the velvet with misted water and leave it to dry – refrain from touching the velvet fabric whilst drying. Most creases and marks will then disappear, and the pile will naturally lift.

Please note that we advise this technique be carried out by professional curtain installers. Improper application may leave permanent marks on the velvet.

Due to its natural composition, cotton velvet is susceptible to bruising and flattening over time. The pile moves as you move your hand over it and retains a mark when you press on it, but when brushed in the right direction it will return to its natural form. Despite this, once flattened in particular places the velvet may be left with lighter and darker areas which can be mistaken for uneven dyeing or shading.

Velvet will inevitably have some marking when transported, it is still usable as the marks can be easy removed by rubbing or brushing the fabric’s surface.

We protect all velvet rolls with corrugated cardboard and plastic wrap and ship all rolls in suspended cartons. Even though we take these precautions, it is possible that some bruising on the velvet may occur during shipping if heavy items are placed on top of the carton or it is dropped. When this happens, unroll the velvet and lay it down on a flat surface for several days to let the pile "breathe." If severe bruising occurs, remove it by gently steaming the back side of the fabric.

For maximum results, it is common practice to unroll the velvet and allow it to relax overnight before cutting. 

Velvet rolls should be kept in a horizontal position, either suspended in a shelving system or in their original box to keep creases from forming.

Velvet should be tightly rolled with the pile surface facing inward to protect the pile during storage and transit.

It is recommended that all velvets are dry cleaned. Travira velvets are a type of velvet that can be machine washed gently at 30º C and let dry naturally, tumble drying should be avoided.

It is recommended that all velvets are dry cleaned. However Travira velvets are a type of velvet that can be machine washed. Gently wash at 30º C and let them dry naturally, tumble drying should be avoided.

We adore velvet! Here are some of our favourites.

For more information on our velvets and how to care for them, visit us in one of Our Showrooms or contact your Account Manager.