How do you clean velvet??

Question

I have velvet dining chairs and I need to clean them without messing up the fabric. Any ideas??

Answer 1

The best way I know how to clean velvet comes from Mary Ellen's Complete Home Reference Book.  Since you cannot wet it, as it will ruin the nap, the best way is to use a dry cleaning method with a soft brush to work it into the nap.  I use either Capture or Resolve dry carpet/upholstery cleaning granules because they have just enough moisture to loosen dirt, dust, stains and general grunge from use, but dries quickly enough and is not enough wetness to destroy the fiber.  I usually work it into the velvet with a very soft brush (facial brushes work well), work it well into stains, let it dry and vacuum off the excess.