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Kaye asked: I bought a red, velour sofa. Where my partner has sat with his head against the back, there is a black, greasy mark. It’s very big. Please, can you tell me how to clean it? Thank you.
The velvety appearance of velour makes it an elegant, beautiful choice for upholstery. However, it requires care to keep it looking beautiful and luxurious. With dirt and dust the fabric loses its soft touch and becomes stiff and dull looking. Here are the steps to maintain your upholstery and enhance its features.
You Will Need:
- Soft brush
- Vacuum with brush attachment
- Bucket
- Water
- Mild liquid soap (Ex: Woolite Upholstery Soap or mild dish soap)
- Ammonia
- Muslin fabric
- Suede brush
Steps to Clean the Upholstery:
- Begin by removing as much dirt as possible by brushing it away.
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can be used to remove loose dust and dirt particles.
- Fill a bucket with warm water.
- Add a small amount of soap and stir the water. Do not agitate the water to form suds, just mix in the soap gently. Add a few drops of household ammonia for extra cleaning power if needed.
- Muslin fabric is a special type of material and is gentle to keep from damaging the soft fibers of the velour.
- Dip the fabric piece into the soapy water and wring it out completely. Excess water will not yield good results, so wring it out until it is just slightly damp.
- Rub the moistened cloth over the surface of the upholstery. Use a back and forth motion as you are cleaning.
- Repeat as necessary until the surface is clean.
- Change the cloth and water as necessary to keep working with clean materials.
- Once the surface is clean allow it to dry completely.
- Brush the surface with a suede brush to restore the soft texture.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Do not clean velour with high heat cleaners, such as steam cleaners. The heat can damage the material and cause discoloration.
- Velour is a sensitive fabric and is often best left to professionals. If your piece is very soiled or you just don’t want to risk damaging the surface, hire a professional who is experienced with velour.
- When choosing a liquid soap, avoid those with added color. A clear soap is the best option.
Can I place the covers to the seats of my couch in my washing machine? The couch is tan velour.
I did it on GENTLE CYCLE.
I have a grand curtain at a theater made of velour and there is a water stain on it from one of the children at the theater. Is there any (safe) way to remove this water stain?
Sometimes you can use a mild soap in a bucket, dip and wring out very well a cloth and wipe the stain. Rinse the cloth and then wipe the fabric again, then use a hair dryer to dry it. Start on the outside edge of the wet spot and dry toward the center. For sure if you start in the center to dry you will have another spot.
I have a velour purse. It has dirt marks on it from being used. It also has leather straps, so how can I clean this without it becoming ruined? Do you think a cleaners will do it?
I have a lovely cream colour velour suit, (and a dog) and need a quick and simple way of cleaning it.
Did this to my velour chair & totally ruined it!!!! ????
I have a headboard of velour and where your head touches the headboard, it left a greasy mark. How would I be able to clean this stain? I have tried carpet foam products and soap for velour but nothing so far has made much difference. Any help from anyone gratefully received.
Susi,
Grease and oil stains usually respond well to the powder method: sprinkle a generous amount of an absorbet powder, such as baking soda or talcum powder, over the stain and let it sit for a few hours, then brush it off and vacuum the area to remove any residue. The process can be repeated as many times as needed to fully absorb the oil. If you have tried that method several times and a stain remains, mix a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol into the powder, just enough to make it damp, then spread the paste over the stain and let it dry. Test the alcohol on a small hidden area first to ensure it is safe for the fabric. Another option is to try a pet enzyme cleaner, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle, though since you’ve already used other chemical cleaners, it may not work (the residue from the chemicals could kill the beneficial bacterial in the enzyme cleaner before they are able to eat up the stain). Another option is to try a grease-fighting dish liquid; mix it in a bowl of water to make suds, wipe the suds onto a toothbrush and scrub the stain. Good luck!