Certain fabrics need extra care when it comes to washing and drying, and velvet is one of them. Velvet is a common fabric found in clothes, shoes, curtains, bags and upholstery. Pure velvet is delicate and can become damaged if it’s washed improperly. Crushed and polyester velvet is less delicate, however, there are still some precautions you should take while washing them.
Use the guide below to learn how to wash pure, crushed and polyester velvets to help keep your garments looking their best.
First, we want to clarify that it is impossible to soak clothes made of such material. Most often machine washing is also not recommended, but not always. Therefore, before washing the velvet dress, you need to carefully consider the labels of the product. But most often hand washing is recommended. If the thing is very expensive and beautiful, or you just do not know what material with what and how it is washed, it is best to give it to a dry cleaner - this is a sure way to get rid of stains and dirt and keep in the original decent form.Before subjecting a velvet dress to washing, it is necessary to make sure that it is possible on the label or label of the manufacturer. There are types of velvet, which are contraindicated water procedures. For example, a velvet dress made of silk and viscose is very susceptible to washing and can lose its structure after such a procedure. Such things can only be cleaned with dry treatment or dry cleaning services. Cotton and synthetic varieties of velvet are quite permissible for delicate washing, and even in a washing machine. But it is still better to give preference to the manual version of washing.Modern washing machines clean delicate fabrics well, including velvet dresses. So you can wash this delicate material in the machine, the main thing is to follow the rules that we will give below:1. Check the label with instructions on how to care for the dress. Velvet dresses can be made of different materials, so it is important to find out if the laundry detergent and washing mode you have chosen is suitable. If the label is missing or unclear, it's best to seek professional advice.2. Check the velvet dress for stains or dirt. If there are stains on the dress, it is recommended to remove them before washing. To do this, you can use special stain removers or gently rub the stain with a soft damp cloth.3. Fasten all clasps and turn with the wrong side out. Check fasteners such as zippers, buttons or hooks and fasten them to avoid damage during washing. It is also recommended to turn the velvet dress inside out so that the wrong side is more accessible for washing.4. Set the mode to Wool, Delicate Fabrics, or Hand Wash. Be sure to turn off the spin cycle. The water temperature should be no more than 30 degrees, otherwise, the velvet dress will shrink a lot. Pour the gel into the powder compartment (loose powder is not recommended). Do not twist and do not wring things from velvet – it will negatively affect the appearance of the material.5. Separately, it is worth talking about the choice of the right household chemicals. Bulk powder is not suitable because of its poor solubility in water - its particles will settle on the fabric, spoiling the appearance and scratching the fibers. Therefore, the best option remains liquid gel, the main thing is to observe the simple rules of washing gels. The detergent should be neutral, so as not to damage the velvet dress. Avoid means with aggressive chemical compositions.6. In any case, washing velvet dresses is carried out as gently and carefully as possible, previously turning them inside out to preserve the soft fibers of the pile. Active friction and twisting of the cloth are not allowed. For machine washing choose the most gentle program for thin and delicate products. Squeezing and drying in the machine is prohibited. Detergents should be used mild, only liquid or gel-like, in the formula of which there are no aggressive substances and bleaching components. The water temperature during washing should not change, heating is kept within 30-35°C degrees Celsius and should not exceed this indicator. In this way, the elasticity of the matter will be preserved.7. Avoid rubbing and heavy wringing. Velvet is sensitive to mechanical impact, so avoid intensive rubbing and strong wringing of the velvet dress. Remember that a gentle attitude to the material will help to preserve its quality and appearance for a long time.8. During rinsing, you can pour a small amount of vinegar into the water to prevent fading of the thing, preserving and saturating the existing color and shine of the pile.