Caring for velvet and chenille

Velvet and chenille are pile fabrics: their surface is made of many short fibres standing up from the base. The pile gives them their softness and depth of colour, and it is also the part that needs care. The guidance below is general. The care label of the fabric, and the advice of whoever made the finished product, always come first.

Everyday care

• Vacuum regularly with a soft upholstery brush on low suction, in the direction of the pile. Dust and grit wear the pile down over time.
• Brush the pile now and then with a soft, clean brush to lift it and keep the surface even.
• Keep it out of strong direct sunlight. Sunlight fades most dyes over time. Turn cushions and move rugs from time to time, so they wear and fade evenly.
• Keep sharp objects away. Buckles, rivets, claws and rough zips can pull or cut the pile yarns.
• Spread the load. Plump and turn cushions, and avoid always sitting, kneeling or standing on the same spot of a rug or seat.
• Give curtains room. Let pile curtains hang free, away from window panes where condensation can mark them, and vacuum them gently on low suction from top to bottom.

Spills and stains

1. Act quickly. Blot the spill with a clean, dry, white cloth. Do not rub: rubbing pushes the liquid in and distorts the pile.
2. Work from the outside in, so the spot does not spread.
3. Test first. Try any cleaning product on a hidden area and let it dry before you use it on a visible spot.
4. Use as little water as possible. Too much water can leave a ring or flatten the pile. Let the area dry naturally, away from direct heat.
5. Brush the pile back gently once it is dry.

For large stains, or anything you are unsure about, ask a professional cleaner who works with upholstery or rugs.

Crushed pile and shading

Pressure from sitting, kneeling or packing can flatten pile, and pile that lies in different directions reflects the light differently. This effect, called shading or pile marking, makes some areas look lighter or darker than others. It is a characteristic of pile fabrics rather than a defect.

• Light crushing often recovers with time and gentle brushing in the direction of the pile.
• Steam can help. Hold a steamer a few centimetres from the surface without touching it, then brush the pile up while it is still warm. Check the care label first: not every fabric tolerates steam.
• Never iron the face of a pile fabric. Pressing flattens the pile, often for good.

Washing and dry cleaning

Whether a velvet or chenille can be washed, and how, depends on its fibres, its backing and its finish. Many upholstery and curtain fabrics should only be dry-cleaned or cleaned on the spot. Follow the care symbols on the label of the fabric or of the finished product, and when in doubt, choose a professional cleaner.

Clean all the parts of a piece together where you can, such as all the cushions of a sofa or both curtains of a pair, so that their colour and surface stay alike.

Storing fabric and finished products

• Keep rolls on their tubes and wrapped, in a dry place away from direct sunlight and heavy loads: weight on a roll can crush the pile.
• Do not fold pile fabrics tightly for long periods, as folds can leave lasting marks in the pile.
• Let rugs, cushions and curtains breathe. Avoid storing them damp, or in airtight plastic for long periods.

Every fabric page lists the construction and composition we publish for that fabric; see how to read a fabric spec sheet. For the care of a specific fabric, ask us.