Vintage velvet upholstered furniture exudes timeless elegance and charm. I recently found a beautiful vintage velvet rocking chair at my local thrift store for $14.99. I had to bring it home and give it a little TLC. In this post, I am sharing tips on how to clean vintage velvet upholstered furniture and some other things I did to this chair to spruce it up a bit.
How To Clean Vintage Velvet Upholstered Furniture
Whether you’ve inherited a family heirloom or stumbled upon a vintage gem, learning how to clean vintage velvet upholstered furniture, and maintenance are essential to preserve its beauty and longevity.
I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to clean vintage velvet upholstered furniture with my recent find. Armed with the right techniques and a gentle touch, you can breathe new life into your beloved velvet furniture and keep it looking pristine for years to come.
Understanding Vintage Velvet Upholstery:
Before diving into the process of how to clean vintage velvet upholstered furniture, it’s crucial to understand the unique characteristics of vintage velvet upholstery. Velvet is a luxurious fabric with a dense pile. It can easily trap dust, dirt, and allergens. Additionally, vintage velvet may be more delicate due to age and wear, requiring gentle cleaning methods to avoid damage. I am very thorough when I find a piece like this and give it a good look-over. Things like rips, tears, or major wear in the fabric are a “no” for sure. I check for smells, make sure the trim fabric is all there, and make sure the piece of furniture is sturdy. I do not know how to upholster furniture so I am very diligent in going over everything before I bring home or flip pieces of upholstered furniture.
Preparation:
Learning how to clean vintage velvet upholstered furniture starts by preparing your workspace and gathering the necessary cleaning supplies. I like to put a tarp or towels under the furniture piece I am cleaning. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, vinegar, and water mixture in a spray bother (1:1 ratio), and a microfiber cloth. If your furniture piece has wood as this chair has on the base, you may need Restor-a-Finish to restore the wood as I did for this chair.
Step 1: Dusting and Vacuuming:
Begin by gently dusting the surface of the velvet upholstery with a microfiber cloth to loosen any dirt or debris trapped in the pile or the creases if your piece is tufted like this chair. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the delicate fibers. Next, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the loosened dirt and debris. Work in a gentle, sweeping motion with the “grain” of the fabric. I did this first on the outside areas of the chair and then I took the attachment off my vacuum hose and vacuumed inside the creases. Then, I used the cloth inside each crease and pulled out any dust. I vacuumed what came out of the creases and that was all it took for this step.
Step 2: Spot Cleaning:
For minor stains or spills, spot cleaning is often sufficient to remove them without compromising the integrity of the velvet upholstery. Mix a small amount of mild detergent with distilled water to create a gentle cleaning solution. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and gently blot the stained area, working from the outside to prevent the stain from spreading. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can damage the velvet pile.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning:
For overall cleaning, as I did on this chair, mix vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) in a spray bottle. Spray the velvet with the mixture. You don’t need to douse the fabric. Use an even spray. You can always repeat the process if you think it needs more. Use a clean cloth to gently blot and rub the fabric. Again, rub in the direction of the velvet fabric. Once the cleaning process is complete, allow the upholstery to air dry thoroughly before using the furniture. That’s it!
All of the original trim was still on the chair. Some areas needed to be glued back in place. That was an easy fix with my cordless hot glue gun. The chair was also missing one of the original wood casters. I always keep casters and hardware from previous projects that I am not going to use on that particular project. I have built a good stash of these pieces. So, when I find a chair that is missing a caster, I know I have one on hand. I found a wood caster the same size, applied Restor-a-Finish to all the wheels so they were cohesive, and the chair was done!
Maintenance Tips:
To keep your vintage velvet upholstered furniture looking its best, incorporate regular maintenance into your cleaning routine. Avoid placing the furniture in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can cause fading and damage to the fabric. Use a velvet brush or lint roller to remove surface debris and maintain the velvet’s luxurious appearance. Additionally, consider having your vintage velvet furniture professionally cleaned by a reputable upholstery cleaner every few years to keep it in optimal condition.
Cleaning vintage velvet upholstered furniture requires a delicate touch and careful attention to detail, but the results are well worth the effort. By following the steps and incorporating regular maintenance into your cleaning routine, you can preserve the beauty and longevity of your cherished velvet pieces for generations to come.
I recorded a full YouTube video during the process of cleaning this chair. You can watch it HERE:
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