Is it easy to clean velvet? Here’s how to do it naturally.

Long ago were the days when velvet was accessible only to European nobility. Sought after for its recognizable sheen, velvet's ubiquity can be traced to its ability to punctuate an outfit or accent a living space. The question is how to keep this timeless fabric looking ageless.

Hundreds of years ago, Europeans didn't have to deal with their children's PB+Js or a spilled bowl of movie night popcorn. Fortunately for us, we have a little more at our disposal to keep things clean enough to eat off of.

Here are the best practices for cleaning and maintaining velvet upholstery and clothing without using harsh chemicals.

What you'll need to clean velvet

• Mild, plant-based dish soap
• Rubbing alcohol
• Reusable glass cleaning spray bottle
• Lint-free cloth
• Soft- to moderately stiff-bristle brush: Grove Co.'s Bubble Up Replacement Dish Brush is a good option for furniture; a horsehair brush for shoes; a soft-bristle toothbrush for clothing
• Hairdryer

Just for upholstery

• Vacuum cleaner with a brush extension
• Butter knife

1. Start by absorbing any liquid spills with a lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber towel.

Be sure to go lint-free as lint can get caught in the velvet fibers.

2. Take a moderately stiff-bristle or soft brush (such as the brush extension for your vacuum cleaner) to loosen dried, encrusted materials stuck to the fibers.

3. Vacuum up debris from a velvet sofa or other furniture using the brush extension of a vacuum cleaner.

4. Prepare a soap and water cleaning solution in a reusable spray bottle.

Add 2 cups of water, 2 drops of plant-based dish soap, and 2 teaspoons of rubbing alcohol.

5. Apply a couple sprays of cleaning solution to a lint-free cloth.

Gently dab at problem areas to avoid damaging the fabric.

6. Fully dry wet areas with a hairdryer (set on the lowest setting).

At the same time, move a lint brush back and forth on the affected area. Don’t let it air dry.

7. Finally, groom the fibers in one direction with the backside of a butter knife.

Tip: Use the same amount of pressure as if you were buttering toast.

Watch this video for a couple more tips on how to clean velvet upholstery:

1. Be sure to first check the manufacturer's product tag for any item-specific cleaning instructions.

2. When vacuuming velvet upholstery, use a brush extension to avoid leaving permanent nicks or scratches.

3. When dabbing with a lint-free cloth and cleaning solution, wet your cloth no more than necessary.

Too much water and friction can kink or agitate the fabric's surface, compromising its smooth appearance.

4. For velvet upholstery, pass a handheld steamer to refresh the appearance of your velvet.

Velvet fibers will compress over time. Follow with steps 6-7 in the "Cleaning velvet upholstery" section for the best look after cleaning.

5. Lastly, for larger stains or high-end velvet pieces, consult either a furniture or fabric specialist to get them professionally cleaned.