How to Clean Velvet Shoes

Velvet shoes are no doubt stylish but are challenging to keep clean.

Velvet is a delicate fabric. It gets damaged easily, therefore cleaning it requires care. The wrong cleaning process can stain and damage velvet shoes.

In this blog post, we will show you how to clean velvet shoes the right way in six simple steps.

We will also share some caring and storing tips to keep your velvet shoes in pristine condition.

So, grab your dirty velvet shoes and read on.

Precautions

1. Always dry the velvet shoes thoroughly before cleaning them. Wet velvet is more prone to damage.
2. Do not dry your velvet shoes with a blow dryer. Heat damages velvet fabric.
3. Keep your shoes away from moisture.
4. Do not dry the velvet shoes in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the fabric to fade and lose its shine.

Material Required

1. Soft-bristled brush
2. Lint-free cloth
3. Lint roller
4. Mild Soap
5. Water
6. Protectant spray

Know Your Velvet Shoes

Velvet fabric can be made of different materials, such as polyester, silk, or cotton. It’s important to know which fabric your shoes are made of before you start cleaning them.

1. If your shoes are made of silk velvet, it’s best to take them to a professional cleaner. Water and chemicals can easily damage delicate silk fabric.
2. If your shoes are made of polyester, cotton, or rayon velvet, you can clean them at home. These fabrics are more durable than silk and can be safely cleaned with a mild detergent.

Therefore, before cleaning your shoes, check the label to find out what type of material they are made of.

Remove Mud and Dirt

If your velvet shoes have shoelaces, remove them before starting the cleaning process.

1. Velvet fabric can be easily damaged when wet. Therefore, it’s important to air dry your velvet shoes thoroughly before cleaning.
2. If your velvet shoes have wet mud on them, don’t try to remove the mud with a paper towel. This will only push the mud further into the fabric and make it harder to remove. Instead, allow the mud to dry completely.
3. Once the mud is dry, remove it gently using a soft-bristled brush. Brush your shoes in the same direction as the fabric’s nap to avoid damaging the fabric.

Remove Dust and Lint

1. Use a lint-free cloth to remove dry dirt and dust from your velvet shoes. Wipe your shoes toward the fabric’s nap to avoid damaging or matting the velvet.
2. If lint is stuck in your shoes, use a lint roller to remove it. Roll the lint roller in the same direction as the fabric’s nap to remove all the lint. Scotch Brite and Evercare are recommended lint rollers.

Instead of a lint roller, you can also use a lint brush for cleaning your velvet shoes. Evercare and Sunbeam are two good options.

Clean Velvet Shoes Using Mild Soap

You can clean extremely dirty and stained areas of your velvet shoes using mild soap and water.

1. Fill a bowl with one cup (8oz) of water. Add three to four drops of mild dishwashing soap. Stir to make a soapy solution.
2. Dampen a lint-free cloth with the soapy solution and gently rub the dirty areas of your shoe. Rub very gently to avoid damaging the velvet.
3. After rubbing, wipe the soap residue with a clean damp cloth.

Let Your Shoes Air Dry

This is how you dry velvet shoes.

1. Dab the wet area of the shoes gently with a clean and dry cloth. The cloth will soak up excess moisture and help your shoes dry faster.
2. Let your shoes dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Do not dry your velvet shoes with the dryer. The heat from the dryer can damage the velvet fabric.

Protect Velvet Shoes With a Protectant Spray

After your shoes are completely dry, it is necessary to protect them by applying a protectant spray. However, make sure to use the protectant spray suitable for velvet.

Do not use suede or nubuck protectant sprays on velvet shoes as they may damage the velvet.

1. Look for a shoe protectant spray and check the label to ensure it can be used on velvet. You can use velvet carpet or furniture protectant spray also.
2. Before applying the spray on the whole shoe, test it on an inconspicuous area of the shoe to make sure it does not damage the fabric. You can test it by applying it to the back side of the shoe. If there is no adverse reaction, you can spray the entire shoe with protectant spray.
3. Hold the can about 6 inches away from your shoes and spray them evenly.
4. Allow the protectant to dry completely before wearing your shoes.

You should apply the protectant spray every five to six wear to keep your shoes in pristine condition. Tarrago and Jason Markk are two good options for shoe protectant spray.

How to Clean Spills and Stains From Velvet Shoes

Spills and stains can ruin the look of your velvet shoes. The best way to clean a spill is to act quickly. The longer the spill sits on the velvet, the harder it will be to clean.

Materials Required

1. A microfiber cloth
2. Dish soap
3. A soft-bristled brush
4. Shoe protectant spray

Process

1. Blot spills immediately with a clean microfiber cloth. This will prevent the liquid from seeping into the fabric and causing a stain.
2. Lightly dab the microfiber cloth on the spill until it soaks up as much liquid as possible. Do not rub or scrub the spill, as this will damage the velvet and make the stain larger.
3. After the spill is absorbed, mix half a tablespoon of dish soap and half a cup of water in a bowl. Stir to create a cleaning solution. You can also use baby shampoo instead of dish soap.
4. Apply a tiny amount of the solution to the stained area with a soft-bristled brush. Gently scrub the stain in a circular motion until it disappears.
5. Leave the solution on the shoe for a few minutes. After that, wipe the solution off with a clean and damp cloth. Please make sure to remove all the soapy residue to prevent the shoe from looking dull.
6. Let your pair of shoe air dry completely in a well-ventilated area. You can place them in front of a fan to speed up the drying process.
7. Once your shoes are completely dry, apply protectant spray to keep them looking new.

Deodorizing Velvet Shoes

Velvet is an absorbent material that can easily soak up sweat and dirt. As a result, your velvet shoes may start to smell bad after you have worn them for a while. Therefore, it is necessary to deodorize your velvet shoes to keep them smelling fresh.

There are a few ways you can deodorize your shoes and keep them smelling fresh.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can absorb the bad odors from your shoes. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that will kill odor-causing bacteria.

1. Sprinkle one tablespoon of baking soda on the inside of your shoes.
2. Leave your shoes for a few hours or overnight. This will allow the baking soda to absorb the foul odors from the shoes.
3. In the morning, shake out the baking soda from your shoes.
4. Brush the inside of your velvet shoes to remove excess baking soda powder.

You can repeat this process every few days to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

Using White Vinegar

White vinegar has anti-bacterial properties that can kill the bacteria that cause your shoes to smell bad. It can also absorb foul odors from your shoes.

1. Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle.
2. Shake the bottle vigorously to mix the solution.
3. Spray the inside of your velvet shoes with the solution. The shoes should be slightly damp but not saturated with the solution.
4. Let your shoes sit overnight so the vinegar can work its magic.
5. In the morning, wipe your shoes with a dry cloth. Before wearing velvet shoes, make sure they are completely dry.

Caring and Storing Tips

Velvet shoes require care and attention because of their delicate fabric. With regular maintenance and proper storage, you can keep your velvet shoes in pristine condition for a long time.

Here are a few tips for taking care of your velvet shoes.

1. Brush your velvet shoes regularly with a soft-bristled brush. You can also brush them with a lint brush to remove dust and lint from the surface of the shoes.
2. Do not wear your velvet shoes in rain or snow, as the water can damage the fabric. If your shoes get wet, let them air dry in a well-ventilated area.
3. Store your velvet shoes in a cool and dry place, away from heat and moisture.
4. Store your shoes in a shoe bag or box to prevent them from getting dusty.
5. Do not store your shoes in a plastic bag, as moisture can accumulate inside the bag over time.
6. Do not store your velvet shoes with other types of shoes as they can rub against each other and cause them to get scuffed.
7. When not used, stuff your shoes with newspaper or paper towel to retain their shape. You can also insert a shoehorn in your shoes.
8. Take your shoes to a professional cobbler for repairs and dry cleaning.
9. Before wearing new velvet shoes, apply a protectant spray to protect them from water and stains.
10. Apply the protectant spray to the clean velvet shoes every five to six wear, so they look good for a long time.

FAQs

Can we clean velvet shoes with masking tape?

There is misinformation in some articles that you can use masking tape to remove dust and lint from your velvet shoes. Masking tape should not be used for cleaning velvet shoes as it can leave its adhesive residue behind on the shoe’s surface. The tape may also pull out some velvet furs, thus damaging the shoes.

The best way to clean velvet shoes is to use a lint brush. This will remove any dust or lint without damaging the fabric.

Can velvet shoes be washed?

No, you should not wash velvet shoes with water as it can damage the fabric. Never Machine-wash your velvet shoes. Machine washing can damage the fabric and cause the furs to fall. Instead, you can hand wash velvet shoes if they are filthy and stained.

You can apply a protectant spray on your velvet shoes to protect them from water and future stains.

Are velvet shoes waterproof?

No, velvet shoes are not waterproof. You should avoid wearing them in the rain or snow as they can get damaged easily. However, you can apply a water-repellent spray to protect them from getting wet.

How to clean black velvet shoes?

The method for cleaning black velvet shoes is the same as for any other color. You should start by removing any dust or lint with a lint brush. You can also use a clothing brush or a soft cloth instead of a lint brush.

Then, you can clean the velvet shoes with a mild detergent and water solution. You can also clean them using lemon juice and water solution. Simply apply the solution to the stain, then gently scrub it using a lint-free cloth or a soft toothbrush.

Remove all the residue before letting your shoe air dry. Do not forget to protect velvet shoes using a fabric protector.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to clean velvet shoes correctly, you can keep them looking new for longer. Be sure to clean them regularly and protect them with a suitable shoe-protectant spray. With proper care, your velvet shoes will last for a long time.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.