How to iron velvet at home. Caring for velvet: how to iron correctly? Ironing in difficult cases

How to wash velor, clean and iron: rules for caring for the fabric at home, whether this fabric should shrink and recommendations for dry cleaning, you will read all this in the article.

Velor fabric is a beautiful, natural material with velvety pile on one side and a smooth surface on the other. Clothes made from it will last quite a long time, but only if you take care of it properly. We will tell you how to wash and clean velor in our article.

How to wash things made of velor: methods

Many owners of velor dresses and jackets are interested in the question of whether it is possible to wash and iron clothes made from velor. It all depends on the type of matter. Most velor items can be washed by machine or by hand, but for drape velor clothing only dry cleaning with a soft brush is acceptable.

How to clean and care for fabric

Caring for velor fabric involves timely removal of dirt and getting rid of shiny areas. Dirt from the upholstery of a sofa or chair can be removed using a soap solution. To prepare it, use ordinary laundry soap and a small amount of water. Then, using a soft sponge, apply a small amount of the solution to the stain and, using gentle movements, remove it from the upholstery or clothing.

A description of the fabric is in a separate article.

Cleaning velor at home, namely upholstery, is also done using a dry method. To do this, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, which should be passed along the surface in the direction of the pile. You can also purchase special rubber brushes designed specifically for this type of fabric.

Steam will help tidy up shiny areas. To do this, bring the product to a saucepan or kettle with steam and hold it for 3-4 minutes. Then the fabric is simply combed in the direction of the pile.
How to iron velor

Velor items cannot be intensively washed or hand-twisted, and in the washing machine it is advisable to select a gentle spin and light ironing in advance. This material is not ironed. But sometimes, after washing, clothes remain wrinkled and have an unattractive appearance. How to iron velor in this case?

The product must be turned inside out and the surface lightly ironed without pressing the pile. If possible, it is better to steam. This will lift the pile pressed after washing and give the product an attractive appearance.

Artificial velor: how to care

Car enthusiasts are increasingly using artificial velor fabric for upholstery of car seats, the care of which, although considered easy, still has some nuances. Cleaning and dry cleaning of velor in the car interior is carried out in accordance with the rules:

• The best option is dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner with a special soft attachment. You can do this often, but you shouldn’t press too hard so as not to damage the special texture of the fabric;
• Upholstery cleaning products should not be aggressive. Check that the composition does not contain alkalis, aggressive solvents or other chemicals;
• Always prefer dry cleaning to wet cleaning, since moisture will reduce the wear resistance of the material.

Velvet clothing has remained popular for many centuries. Once upon a time it was worn by court beauties and society dandies; today, people from various walks of life can afford a velvet dress or jacket. True, this wonderful material has several not very pleasant parameters. For example, it doesn’t wrinkle at all. With all this, velvet is ironed in most cases without the help of an iron.

You will need it

• – velvet product;
• - ironing board;
• - iron;
• – a saucepan with water;
• – flannelette blanket;
• – a piece of foam rubber;
• - feather pillow;
• – 1 or 2 sheets.

See if the velvet product is very wrinkled. Maybe you won't have to smooth it out at all. If the surface is only slightly dented, hang the dress, skirt or jacket on hangers above the bathtub. The air in this room is always warm with high humidity, so small wrinkles on the velvet will smooth out on their own in a couple of hours.

Straighten noticeable folds, as well as depressed areas, using steam. Boil water in a large saucepan. Turn the velvet product so that the pile is oriented downwards towards the pan. The steam should reach the crumpled area.
“Smoothing” over steam is generally very useful for velvet - the color becomes more vibrant and unstained.

To iron very wrinkled velvet, cover the ironing board or a flannelette blanket folded a couple of times. Align the blanket properly so that there are no folds. Soak a cotton or linen sheet in hot water, lay it on the blanket and carefully smooth it out. Lay out the velvet, carefully straighten it and pin the product around the entire perimeter to the backing. Cover the fabric with a dry sheet on top and leave it all alone. In a few hours, the amazingly ironed velvet outfit will be ready to be worn.
It is better to start this function in the evening. By morning, the velvet will smooth out and the product will look elegant, as it should.

In some cases, you can use an iron. True, it’s still not worth ironing velvet in the same way as cotton or woolen fabrics. The velvet product should be laid out on a foam plate soaked in hot water. Wring out the foam rubber as necessary, and then spread it out and cover with a cotton rag. Warm up the iron, then place it on the foam rubber. Steam will appear very soon. At this moment, remove the iron and put velvet in its place so that the crumpled area is right on the heated spot. In this way, smooth out all the wrinkled areas evenly.
For cotton fabric, you can use, for example, gauze folded in 2-3 layers. It is better to moisten it at the very beginning, and later a couple of times during the process, as well as foam rubber.

Turn the product inside out and fold it. The fibers should touch together. Place a flannelette blanket on the table, a sheet made of natural fabric on top, and a velvet product on top of it. Make sure there are no folds anywhere. Attach one edge of the product to the table, then lift the other edge and pull it suspended. Place wet gauze or a napkin on top. Heat the iron a little and iron the product with brisk movements, without lowering it onto the table.
The iron must be moved in the direction of the fibers, over the entire surface, otherwise the velvet will turn out fluffy, and the product will look untidy.

A down pillow may help. Place it on the table and cover with a linen napkin. Place the velvet on top so that the front side is in contact with the pillow. Wet the gauze and lay it on top. Heat the iron slightly and iron with gentle, light movements.
After the product is ironed, it needs to be dried. Hang it in a warm place, but out of direct sunlight. Velvet can also be dried in a horizontal position.

The birthplace of velvet is Italy. In the 13th century, when velvet first came into fashion, it was extremely expensive and only the elite of society could afford it. Since then, velvet has been considered a royal fabric. To this day, the most valuable velvet is considered to be a fabric made only from silk threads. In the 20th century Velvet rose to the top of fashion thanks to the famous group The Beatles - coats, hats, dresses, bags - everything was made of velvet. Photo: Peony Lim, Reformation

What is velvet?

Velvet is a fabric with dense standing pile 2-3 mm high. There are many varieties of velvet, such as wool velor (with a rough pile surface on both sides), panvelvet (a thin fabric with a shiny surface), boiled velvet (a short pile, soft ribbed velvet that can be washed and ironed).

How to decate

As a rule, velvet is not decatted, since when ironing the pile will become wrinkled, ruining the fabric. But what if the velvet base contains cotton and viscose, which cause severe shrinkage? In these cases, you can use the following method: hot water is drawn into the bathtub, and a piece of velvet is hung over the bathtub. Ideally, you should leave the cloth in this position overnight with the door tightly closed. Thus, the cut is “steamed” and shrinks. There is another way: the velvet is folded in half with the front side inward, after which it is quickly ironed with steam without pressing from the wrong side. Be sure to test this method in advance on a small piece of fabric.

How to cut

Since velvet has a pile, it is extremely important to cut out all the cut pieces with the same direction of the pile. Determining its direction is not difficult: run your palm along the front side in the longitudinal direction and back, the pile will smooth out or, conversely, rise. Accordingly, all paper patterns are laid out on velvet in one direction: either along the pile or against it. Important: on high-pile velvet, the patterns are laid out only against the direction of the pile. This means that on the finished product the pile will be directed from bottom to top. Pan velvet is cut only in the direction of the pile. Before cutting, you can use arrows to indicate the direction of the pile on the reverse side. If the velvet is thick, then it is advisable to cut out the parts in one layer, since the fabric may move due to the pile. Or chop off the parts with needles and cut them in two layers. For duplicating velvet, the adhesive interlining G 785 is ideal: it is ironed dry and with light pressure in the “silk” mode.
Photo: OnceWed, Helvetika

How to sew

Cutting details made of velvet are stitched with thin sewing threads and a thin needle No. 70 or 80, and pan velvet on a knitted base is sewn with a knitwear needle. The stitch length is approx. 2.5 mm. When sewing with the right sides together, the cut pieces easily shift, so they must be pinned perpendicular to the seam line or basted on both sides of the seam by hand using small stitches. Before sewing the buttonholes, a piece of organza is placed on the part and under it, which is tacked into the seam, and when the work is finished, it is carefully cut off close to the stitching. The lines should be laid the first time and accurately - velvet will not forgive ripping, repeated basting, or newly laid lines. All this will hopelessly ruin the fabric. Remove the basting immediately, as otherwise the threads may leave creases.

How to care

Products made from cotton and synthetic velvet can be washed by first turning them inside out. It is better to dry clean viscose and silk velvet. Wrap a piece of velvet intended for long-term storage around a thick cardboard tube. When packing velvet clothes in a suitcase, roll them up with tissue paper, then you will avoid creases. If it becomes necessary to iron velvet, use only steam and never touch the fabric with the iron. It is best to cover the surface of the board with a thick, nap fabric such as heavy corduroy, mohair upholstery fabric, frieze, or even a thick terry towel.
Photo: Alasdair, pinterest.com

Unusual velvet

Bi-elastic panvelvet The technique of working with elastic panne velvet has some peculiarities. The markings are transferred using a plastic copy wheel with blunt teeth or using a knitting needle. A thin knitting needle with a round tip is inserted into the sewing machine, which does not damage the threads of the fabric. Cutting details made of bi-elastic panvelvet are sewn with a special elastic stitch or a narrow zigzag stitch (stitch width 0.5-1 mm, length 3 mm). Advice: Make sure that the thread tension in the sewing machine is not too strong. Baste and grind the cut details only with thin needles and thin threads. The details of the cut must be pinned together, as pan velvet easily moves when stitched. They sew panne velvet over tailor's pins, pinned perpendicular to the seam line. You can also place parallel seams using running stitches on either side of the seam line and stitch between them. Darts should be sewn and stitched on bi-elastic pane velvet in only one direction. It is best to overcast cuts using an overlocker. You can also overcast the sections with a zigzag stitch using large stitches (ideally a zigzag for quilting). To prevent the sections from rolling up and stretching, the stitching is laid at a distance of 2 mm.

Can everything be called velvet, what seems to them?

Of course no. There is even “fake” velvet. For example, duvetine- fabric of reinforced satin weave, reminiscent of satin, with thickened weft threads, made of cotton or viscose. After dyeing, duvetin is heat treated, combed and smoothed. Chenille also looks like velvet - a heavy fabric with pile on both sides. Plush: fabric with long pile on the front side. The base of the plush is usually made from cotton fabric. The pile can be either cotton, silk or wool. Velveteen- fabric based on cotton and viscose silk, very durable, with different pile heights on the front side. There are many different types of corduroy: velvet corduroy (reminiscent of velvet), corduroy (with a wide rib and high pile), ribbed corduroy (with narrow ribs and low pile), shaped corduroy (with a pattern of alternating smooth and brushed surfaces), elastic corduroy, patterned corduroy, cotton corduroy, etc.

Velvet fabric is considered an elite, expensive material all over the world. The fabric is pleasant to the body, and the appearance of the soft pile in the products is worthy of compliments and praise. It is not surprising that velvet is quite capricious, sensitive and demanding to care for. Many housewives wonder: how to wash velvet and whether it is, in principle, possible to perform such procedures with it at home. Let's look at the answers to these questions in more detail.

Characteristics and properties of fabric

Velvet fabric is capricious both in care and in sewing, so the range of products made from it is not so diverse. This fabric is usually used to make evening dresses for the female half with tight-fitting silhouettes, while the male half enjoys wearing a variety of velvet jackets and jackets. In the interior, velvet is used for sewing curtains, home textiles, as well as furniture upholstery and, in rare cases, wall decoration.

Velvet is considered a fairly dense fabric that retains its properties for many years. The pile does not wear out over time, and its beautiful shine and shimmer are preserved and delight the owners of the products with their beauty.

Among the advantages of velvet fabric is hygroscopicity. Natural types of velvet, consisting of silk fibers without synthetic impurities, do not cause allergies and mites do not grow in the pile. This fabric does not accumulate static electricity and dust is not attracted to it. The fabric drapes perfectly, practically does not wrinkle, retains human warmth and allows air to pass through.

Velvet items are usually quite resistant to stains. If there are no complex stains, then you can restore a fresh look with simple steaming. To do this, first remove dust from the item by simply shaking it or using a stream of air from a hair dryer covered with a towel. Then steaming is carried out over boiling water or while combing the fleecy part with a brush with soft bristles.

Subtleties of washing

Before you wash a velvet product, you need to make sure that it is possible to do so on the manufacturer’s label or label. There are types of velvet for which water procedures are contraindicated.

For example, silk and viscose velvet is very susceptible to washing and may lose its structure after this procedure. Such items can only be cleaned using dry cleaning or dry cleaning services. Cotton and synthetic varieties of velvet can be washed delicately, even in a washing machine. But it is still better to give preference to hand washing.

In any case, washing velvet items is carried out as carefully and accurately as possible, after turning them inside out to preserve the soft fibers of the pile. Active friction and twisting of the fabric are not allowed.

For machine washing, select the most gentle program for thin and delicate items. Spinning and drying in a machine is prohibited.

Detergents should be used soft, only liquid or gel, the formula of which does not contain aggressive substances or bleaching components. The water temperature during washing should not change, heating remains within 30-35°C degrees Celsius and should not exceed this figure. This will preserve the elasticity of the matter.

During rinsing, you can pour a small amount of vinegar into the water to prevent the item from fading, to preserve and saturate the existing color and shine of the pile.

Methods for removing stains and dirt

Due to the fragility and vulnerability of the fabric, it is necessary to remove stains and dirt on it very carefully. However, the use of strong chemicals and bleaches is not recommended. It is better to use traditional safe methods, having first tested them on an inconspicuous piece of the product:

• Cornstarch is an emergency solution for fresh grease and oil stains. The contaminated area is generously sprinkled with starch. It usually takes about an hour for the fat to be absorbed, after which the product is shaken off, and the items need to be washed.
• Wine vinegar is an effective remedy for greasy stains. A solution of a tablespoon of alcohol and a glass of water will easily remove unpleasant stains.
• Ammonia is a means to remove other food contaminants. A few drops of ammonia dissolved in a glass of water is a recipe for a solution with which a sponge is moistened, then the stains are treated with gentle movements.

Velvet does not like water, so even a few drops of liquid falling on the pile can leave unpleasant marks. You should get rid of them immediately. Simply shaking, cleaning with a cloth or using warm air from a hair dryer is enough.

Rules for gentle drying and ironing of velvet

Vertical drying of velvet products is unacceptable. Due to good moisture absorption, the product acquires additional weight, which during drying can deform the shape of the item and stretch it.

After water procedures, things are carefully laid out on a terry towel. Then everything is rolled up into a tight roll. Using pressing movements, moisture is extracted from the towel. This action must be carried out several times, changing the towel to a dry one until the product releases as much moisture as possible.

Drying on heating devices and appliances, as well as in direct sunlight, is unacceptable.

As a rule, manufacturers prohibit ironing items made from velvet. To smooth out wrinkles, use steam or apply a warm, moistened towel to the uneven areas for a while. You should steam from the wrong side of the still damp item while hanging. The sole of the iron should only lightly touch the fabric. The direction of ironing should be along the loops of the fabric to prevent the item from being pulled out.

Velvet clothes should be stored on hangers in the closet, and home textiles should be folded on the wrong side to prevent creases and wrinkles.

The methods of caring for velvet are not easy, but if you carry out preventive cleaning measures in a timely manner and follow the suggested care recommendations, velvet items will surprise and delight others with their beauty, shine and softness.

Soft, flexible... it's all about velvet. What is not sewn from velvet fabric - jackets, jackets, skirts, bags, caps and even household items - tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads, pillows, napkins... Things made of velvet are timeless classics, therefore they always remain at the peak of popularity in any fashion season.

However, many people refuse to buy and sew things made of velvet because they do not know how to properly care for them. Velvet is a rather capricious fabric. Creases, folds... It is not always possible to smooth out velvet with just an iron. To do this you need to know a few tricks.

How to iron velvet correctly

• In order to smooth out wrinkles on velvet, you need to make a so-called “compress”. On a large table, lay out a blanket folded in several layers, cover with a cotton sheet soaked in hot water. The sheets must be straightened very carefully so that there are no folds or wrinkles. The velvet is pinned at equal distances, first along the length, then along the width. Cover the top of the velvet fabric with a dry and then a wet sheet. Leave this “compress” overnight - in the morning the fabric will be perfectly ironed. In this way, you can iron not only new fabric, but also a worn velvet item. Carefully rip the item apart along the seams with sharp scissors and remove the threads. Wash the velvet pieces in a solution of all-purpose laundry detergent. The velvet fabric should not be squeezed, rubbed too hard, or twisted - rinse it several times in clean water and hang it over the bathtub to drain. As soon as the water has drained, apply a “compress” to the opened parts, excluding wet sheets. When the velvet fabric pieces are dry, they can be cut again to sew a new item.
• While you are sewing velvet items, store the velvet in a suspended state, otherwise creases and wrinkles may form that are difficult to smooth out.
• There is another way to smooth velvet fabric. Soak a piece of foam rubber in hot water and wring it out well. Cover with a cotton napkin. Heat the iron as high as possible and place it on the foam for a minute. As soon as hot steam begins to rise, remove the iron and immediately place the velvet piece on the foam rubber. Repeat the procedure until you have ironed out all the folds. As you can see, the iron does not seem to be involved in ironing. The foam rubber and napkin have to be wetted several times. Hands must be wiped dry, otherwise marks may remain on the velvet.

As you can see, ironing velvet is not that difficult if you know a few secrets.