How to clean and care for velvet furniture
Velvet furniture needs gentle, regular care. At Roomes, our advice is to brush it lightly with a soft brush, vacuum it lightly once a week, turn the cushions regularly, and blot any spill straight away without rubbing. Leave wet cleaning and deep cleaning to a professional.
Always follow the maker's care instructions first, because velvets aren't all made from the same fibres. The advice in this guide is general, and it suits velvet sofas, armchairs and other upholstered furniture.
Why does velvet look lighter and darker in patches?
Because velvet is a pile fabric, and the pile, the raised surface of the fabric, moves when you sit on it. Fibres pressed in different directions reflect the light differently, so the same fabric shows light and dark shades.
Pressure marking, the light and dark shading you see on pile fabrics such as velvet, isn't a fault. Our upholstery care leaflet says it doesn't detract from how the fabric wears, and G Plan, one of the makers we stock, also says the change in appearance isn't a fault with the fabric.
How often should you vacuum and brush velvet?
Vacuum and brush velvet lightly once a week. Dirt that builds up in the pile speeds up wear and dulls the colour, so keep to a short, regular routine.
- Brush the velvet gently with a soft brush. This helps lift the pile and loosen dust.
- Vacuum lightly, with a soft brush attachment if you have one. Vacuum feather filled cushions less often.
- Turn and swap reversible cushions regularly, so one seat doesn't take all the wear.
- Smooth out any creases before they set.
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Velvet furniture needs gentle, regular care. At Roomes, our advice is to brush it lightly with a soft brush, vacuum it lightly once a week, turn the cushions regularly, and blot any spill straight away without rubbing. Leave wet cleaning and deep cleaning to a professional.
Always follow the maker's care instructions first, because velvets aren't all made from the same fibres. The advice in this guide is general, and it suits velvet sofas, armchairs and other upholstered furniture.
Why does velvet look lighter and darker in patches?
Because velvet is a pile fabric, and the pile, the raised surface of the fabric, moves when you sit on it. Fibres pressed in different directions reflect the light differently, so the same fabric shows light and dark shades.
Pressure marking, the light and dark shading you see on pile fabrics such as velvet, isn't a fault. Our upholstery care leaflet says it doesn't detract from how the fabric wears, and G Plan, one of the makers we stock, also says the change in appearance isn't a fault with the fabric.
How often should you vacuum and brush velvet?
Vacuum and brush velvet lightly once a week. Dirt that builds up in the pile speeds up wear and dulls the colour, so keep to a short, regular routine.
When should velvet be professionally cleaned?
When it needs more than everyday care, such as a mark that won't shift or fabric that looks dull all over. We'd hand velvet to a professional for a deep clean.
At Roomes, we recommend Safeclean for upholstery cleaning. They specialise in furniture and have a team covering South Essex and Havering.
- Brush the velvet gently with a soft brush. This helps lift the pile and loosen dust.
- Vacuum lightly, with a soft brush attachment if you have one. Vacuum feather filled cushions less often.
- Turn and swap reversible cushions regularly, so one seat doesn't take all the wear.
- Smooth out any creases before they set.
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What damages velvet furniture?
Sunlight, heat, pets and anything sharp can all damage velvet. Our upholstery care advice is to avoid:
- Direct sunlight and heat for long periods, which can fade or weaken the fabric. Draw the curtains or blinds where you can.
- Pets on the furniture. Claws can snag the fabric, and animal coats can contain abrasive oils that speed up wear.
- Jewellery, buckles, zips and studs, which can also snag it.
- Sitting on the arms or the front edge of a cushion, which wears one small area.
- Hair grease or gel on the back of the sofa.
Who can you ask about velvet furniture from Roomes?
Our after sales team, on 01708 255320, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Ring if you're not sure how to care for velvet furniture you bought from us, or whether a mark is normal shading.
If you're still choosing, our fabric sofas come in everything from plush velvets to crisp linens, from makers including Duresta, Ercol, G Plan and Parker Knoll. Our sofa buying guide is a good place to start, and we deliver across most of England.
The team in our Upminster showroom will talk you through how each fabric behaves. Tell them if you have children or pets, because it changes what we'd suggest. For leather, see our guide to looking after a leather sofa.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean and care for velvet furniture? Brush velvet furniture lightly with a soft brush, vacuum it lightly once a week, and turn the cushions regularly so the wear is even. Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth and don't rub. Roomes' advice is to follow the maker's care instructions and leave wet cleaning and deep cleaning to a professional.
Why does a velvet sofa have light and dark patches? Light and dark patches on a velvet sofa are pressure marking. Velvet is a pile fabric, so sitting on it presses the fibres in different directions and they reflect the light differently. Roomes' upholstery care advice says pressure marking on pile fabrics isn't a fabric fault and doesn't detract from how the fabric wears.
How do you get pressure marks out of velvet? Brush pressure marks on velvet lightly with a soft brush. Roomes' advice is that light, regular brushing helps lift the pile, and that turning the cushions regularly helps even the marking out. Pressure marking comes with use, so both are regular jobs.
What should you do if you spill something on a velvet sofa? Blot a spill on a velvet sofa straight away with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth, working from the outside of the mark inwards, and don't rub. If you have a protection plan such as Premier Care from Roomes, contact the provider as soon as possible. Follow the maker's care instructions for your fabric, and call a professional if the mark doesn't shift.
Can you steam clean velvet furniture? Leave steam cleaning velvet furniture to a professional upholstery cleaner. Velvet can be made from cotton, polyester, viscose or a blend, and steam can damage some velvets. Always follow the maker's instructions for your fabric.
Does velvet fade in sunlight? Velvet can fade in direct sunlight. Roomes' upholstery care advice is to avoid exposing furniture to direct sunlight or heat for long periods, because it may cause fading or weaken the fabric. Drawing the curtains and blinds where possible protects it.
- 12th October 2026
