How to Clean Velvet Shoes

Clean Velvet Shoes

Velvet shoes are a classy addition to any wardrobe and have a history behind them. The pope used to wear red velvet slippers embellished with a gold cross. Today, velvet shoes have kept that luxurious soft texture and elegant feel making them a must-have in your closet. They aren’t just a mark of exclusivity but a fashion accessory that can lift any outfit. But, it can be tricky to keep velvet shoes clean. Many people don’t know how to correctly clean velvet shoes or heels. Not to fret; our team of experts comes bearing helpful tips you can try at home to rejuvenate your velvet footwear.

Before You Begin… a Word of Caution

Velvet can instantly stylize your outfit, but it is a delicate material that requires care even when cleaning them. Before you begin cleaning your velvet shoes, be careful to follow the advice below,

  • If the stain is fresh, let it dry first. Don’t clean the stain when wet; it will damage the velvet fabric.
  • Don’t blot the wet stain or dirt from your velvet shoes; it will damage the fabric.
  • Do not apply heat to the velvet! Allow them to air dry before starting the clean-up.

How to Clean Water from Velvet Shoes

Many people wonder if water ruins velvet material. The answer is that velvet and water do not mix (at all). However, all is not lost. You must act quickly before the material and appearance of your velvet shoes are damaged. Following these steps will help you clean velvet shoes:

  • Use a microfiber cloth to lightly dab (don’t press!) the water stains until the water is absorbed.
  • Sprinkle some baking soda on the inside to get rid of moisture.
  • Allow the shoes to air dry.

Try to keep your velvet shoes away from rain and water as much as possible.

How to Clean stains from Velvet Shoes

Hey, accidents happen. If you spill some liquid on your shoes, follow these steps to clean velvet shoes.

  • Blot the liquid using a microfiber cloth. Microfiber is recommended because it efficiently absorbs the liquid without harming the velvet fabric of the shoes.
  • Ready a cleaning solution* in a small bowl. Fill the bowl with water and a couple squirts of the dishwashing liquid you have at hand. Mix until water foams.
  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush or a special velvet shoe brush to clean the stain. Be gentle when scrubbing the stain.
  • Let the shoe dry. Wipe away the mixture using a clean microfiber cloth.
  • If the stain persists, repeat the process.
  • When you’re done removing the stain, dry the shoe with a clean microfiber cloth. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. But, be careful to keep the hair dryer at a distance.
  • *Alternate cleaning solution for velvet shoes: mix 2 tbsp of baking soda into a small bowl of lemon juice until the mixture foams.

How to Clean Dirt From Velvet Shoes

Stepped in a mud puddle while wearing velvet shoes? We can imagine the panic you felt at that moment. Luckily, you can follow these steps to clean dirt from your velvet shoes:

  • Let the mud or dirt stains on your shoe air dry. Velvet shoes become damaged when wet. So, the mud must be allowed to fully dry before the cleaning process can begin.
  • Use a clean microfiber cloth or any available soft cloth to gently wipe away the dirt.
  • Use a soft-bristled brush to carefully brush away any remaining specks of dust.

For steps 2 and 3, be sure to wipe and brush the velvet in the same direction to prevent damage to the fabric.

Day-to-Day Cleaning

You might not need to go through all the steps above after an average day out in your velvet shoes. But, there is no denying the dust and pollution in the air. So, it is always wise to lightly dust off your velvet footwear before storing it away. You can follow these recommendations:

  • Use a soft-bristled shoe brush or toothbrush to gently wipe away any dust collected on the velvet shoes. Be sure to always brush in the same direction for both shoes.
  • Sprinkle some baking powder inside your shoes to collect must and moisture. Moisture and velvet do not go well together. The baking soda will be absorbed, and you can dust off the excess. Voila! You have clean velvet shoes for your next outing.

Protecting Your Velvet Shoes

Having to clean velvet can end up being harsh for the material. Nevertheless, you can’t avoid stepping into dirt or mud when out and about. But, you can protect your velvet shoes beforehand. Here are our suggestions:

  • The Scotchguard Fabric Protector spray comes highly recommended by shoe enthusiasts. It serves to protect any fabric, including velvet, from spills and stains. This means even your white velvet shoes will stay clean. Do a spot test at the back of the shoe before applying it to see how it reacts.
  • Alternatively, you could use a water-repellant to protect your velvet shoes from rain and puddles.

Whatever protective agent you use, test it first and apply it with care. Also, don’t apply too much spray or keep the nozzle too close to the shoes. Doing this will wet your velvet shoes and damage the fabric. Keep the protectant at a distance and lightly mist it over the shoes.

Bonus Advice

Many readers wonder if it would be easier to clean velvet shoes in the dryer. It depends on the type of velvet used in making your shoes. If it is pure velvet, then the answer is a hard no. But if crushed or polyester velvet is used, you can machine wash them. Provided you:

  • Don’t wash them with heavier loads or heavy fabrics like denim.
  • Place the velvet shoes in a laundry mesh bag for protection.

Can Cleaning Velvet Shoes Help Prevent Roaches from Infesting Furniture?

Cleaning velvet shoes regularly is important for maintaining their appearance and preventing damage. However, it may not necessarily prevent roaches from infesting furniture. To effectively prevent roaches, use professional methods for getting rid of roaches in furniture, such as traps and insecticides.

Professional Velvet Cleaning

Perhaps you don’t want to test these tips on your velvet shoes. Or these might not have worked for you. In any of these cases, it might be best to seek a professional shoe cleaning service. While the remedies mentioned above are expert-recommended, we understand if you have doubts. We hope we were able to address your question on how to clean velvet shoes.

Editorial Staff

Our Editorial Staff are a team of skilled writers and editors who are dedicated to providing our readers with high-quality content.

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