Velvet is a rich, textured fabric that is frequently

Check for Stains before Washing

Whether you plan to take your velvet to be dry cleaned or you want to clean it yourself, always check the fabric for small spots and stains before you drop them in the wash. The best way to clean a stain on velvet is to catch it shortly after it happens. If you spill wine on your poly cotton table runner, do not wait too long for the stain to set. Many stains can be avoided simply by cleaning the spot with a damp cloth. Dampen a cloth with water and dab the spot, moving gently up and down. If dabbing doesn't touch the stain, you might have to take it to a dry cleaner's.

Look at the Tag

The velvet you purchase should have a tag or label with tips on how to safely clean it without causing the fabric to tear, change color or shrink. If the label says to dry clean the fabric, do not try cleaning it yourself, with the exception of dabbing away small stains with a cloth. If the label says the material does not have to be dry cleaned, follow the directions exactly as they are stated to avoid cleaning disasters. Wholesale polyester fabric is typically hand-washable, whereas silk or cotton-based velvet is usually dry-clean only. If you lost the label, it is best to dry clean it to be safe.

Never Wash Velvet in a Machine

Even if the label on your velvet says it does not need to be taken to a dry cleaner's, putting this sensitive fabric in a washing machine could wear the fabric down over time. Washing the fabric in a machine by itself on a gentle setting still risks tearing the velvet or removing some of the soft fibers that coat the outside. Instead, put the velvet in a clean sink or tub with soap flakes. Gently knead the fabric in the soapy water, rinse, then hang it to air dry. To keep the fabric looking new and avoid the fibers from drying in different directions, use a fabric brush or dry cloth to brush the fibers as it dries.

Get Rid of Wrinkles

Storing your velvet fabric for special occasions can cause deep wrinkles that cannot always be brushed out a few minutes before an event. While it might be tempting to take an iron to a wrinkled tablecloth or curtains, this will ruin velvet. Unlike satin fabric, an iron will not safely press wrinkles out of velvet while leaving the fibers intact. You can invest in a steamer designed to safely clean velvet, or use other DIY tricks. Place the fabric on a hanger in a steamy bathroom to get out small wrinkles or hang the item over a boiling pot of water.