Velvet: A Royal Fabric

Velvet is one of winter’s fashion favorites, especially crushed velvets and velvet garments with decorative trim. Many types of apparel are made of velvet, including pants, dresses, gowns, coats, capes, and jackets. Velvet is also popular for household items, such as furniture covers and drapes.

What is velvet?

Velvet has long been known as the fabric of royalty. At one time, blue velvet was reserved solely for use by the French king, his family, and favored subjects.

Velvets are made on a double action loom. Two layers of fabric are woven at the same time, and the space between them is interlaced with connecting yarns.

The two layers are then cut apart as they come off the loom, producing two pieces of fabric with an upright pile surface.

True velvet is usually made of rayon, acetate, silk, or a blend of these fibers and has a short, closely-woven pile. Velveteen is similar to velvet, but it is usually made of cotton or cotton/polyester blend and has a shorter pile. Finishes are often applied to velvets to keep the pile erect and resilient, to secure the pile, or to give the fabric body.

What types of problems can velvets experience?

Velvet can experience a variety of problems, including a loss of pile, flattening and matting, pilling and tufting, and shrinkage. Crushed velvets have a tendency to experience a loss of design and distortion from wear alone. Velvets made of acetate pose special problems: the pile can become permanently flattened with moisture, heat, or pressure. As a result, the pile on an acetate velvet dress is more likely to show the effects of wear. Even greater flattening develops if the velvet is brushed or if any pressure is put on it while wet.

How can you keep your velvets fit for royalty?

• Hang velvet garments in a well-ventilated closet after wearing.

• If a velvet garment gets wet, do not apply pressure, as this can flatten the pile.

• Do not iron velvets. Hang in the bathroom and steam the garment to remove any wrinkles.

• Clean velvet garments immediately after use.

• Shake excess spills from the fabric and allow to dry. Do not blot or apply any pressure in damp areas.

• If you do get a stain on a velvet garment, our stain removal experts can help. 

Karen asks: We have vinyl tile in our bathroom. A family member struggles with incontinence at times, and there is a dark brown stain around the toilet. I think if may be due to urine/feces being on the floor. Is there any way to remove the stain without damaging the tile? The rest of the floor is fine; it’s this one area that is the problem.

You Will Need

Rubber Gloves
Paper Towels
Broom
Vinegar, 1 cup
1 Gallon bucket
Liquid Dish Washing Detergent, 2 tsp.
Warm Water
Long Spoon
Brush with soft bristles
Abrasive Sponge
Multiple Washcloths
Rubbing Alcohol
Baking Soda

Steps

Wearing the rubber gloves, pick up any excess urine and feces with the paper towels
and dispose of properly. The gloves will help to protect against bacteria.

Sweep the area with the broom to rid it of any excess dirt and dust. This will
ensure you have the most direct access to any stains.

Mix together the cup of vinegar, the dish washing detergent, and warm water in a
bucket. Stir with the long spoon, and be careful not to create too many suds.

Dip the soft bristled brush into the mixture, and scrub the stain. Then, rinse with
clean water. If there is still a stain, use the more abrasive method described next.

Mix equal parts water and baking soda to create a paste. Spread the paste over the
stained area and allow to set for 10 to 15 minutes.

Scrub with the abrasive sponge, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Finally, scrub the area with a clean cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Additional Tips and Advice

Remove the stain as soon as possible, as letting it sit for too long may ruin your floor.
Just for the sake of clarity, never mix bleach and vinegar. Using bleach on your floor
is OK, but be sure to NOT add vinegar, as it will create a chlorine gas