Can You Steam Velvet Curtains? (Find Out Now!)

Velvet curtains are a relic of a bygone era for most of us, but they’re making a comeback in certain circles. The problem with being new to buying velvet curtains is that you have to figure out how to clean them. If you have a steamer, you might be wondering about what you can do to steam clean those curtains. Is it even possible though?

Steaming velvet curtains is the best way to clean them, so you absolutely can steam clean them if you choose. The steam helps release wrinkles in your curtains. This gives them the smooth, elegant look you want from them.

If you want to clean your curtains, it’s important to know the best way to do it. We’re going to make sure that you get the best guidance you can get for this chore.

Steaming regular velvet curtains is actually considered to be the best way to maintain them. Steam is gentle and will not burn the delicate fibers of velvet. Since steamers also tend to be capable of adjusting their steam levels, this also gives you better control with more heat-sensitive fabrics.

The only times you should not steam velvet curtains is if they are made from silk. Silk velvet both will get destroyed if brought into the presence of too much moisture. Crushed velvet can be a bit iffy with steam, but in most cases, it’s fine.

Generally speaking, the answer is no.

If you have real velvet (not polyester) and an ironing board, you might be able to straighten out the corners of your curtains without too much of a problem. However, ironing is generally not advisable in the vast majority of circumstances.

The heat produced by an iron is often way too much for velvet to bear. If you have synthetic velvet, the iron will melt the polyester and turn your curtains into plastic sheeting. If real velvet is heated for too long a time, you could potentially discolor and burn the velvet.

If you are not entirely sure what your curtains are made of, don’t rely on a washing machine or a steamer to get them cleaned. The best bet for any type of curtains is to have them professionally cleaned by someone who has a keen eye for fabric.

In most cases, you won’t need to have this done professionally simply because removing wrinkles and quick cleans should be a cinch. However, if you are the proud owner of an extremely old velvet curtain, then you may need to go to a specialist who works with antique fabric to get the best outcome possible.

Moreover, if your curtains obtained a stain, it’s a professional job. Stains and velvet do not mix! Do not try to lift stains out of velvet on your own. Call a pro, and do not blot the stain as this can actually worsen the quality of the fabric.

Related Questions

How do you treat velvet that has a spill on it?

Above all, do not blot a stain on velvet. This will only work the spill deeper into the fabric. Rather, try to shake the fabric so that any excess liquid spills off. Then, get your garment or textile to a professional cleaner ASAP. Most velvets stain very easily and there’s not much you can do aside from look for a proper stain removing pro.

What’s the fastest way to refresh velvet curtains?

Believe it or not, steaming velvet curtains is the fastest way to make sure they look good as new. The steam from your implement will allow the garment’s fibers to rise up, giving it the classically fluffy look of high-quality velvet.

Can you dry clean a velvet curtain?

This depends on the specific fiber, but in most cases, dry cleaning is the preferred cleaning method to use. This uses solvents that will not crush or overwhelm the velvet. If you are unsure of how to care for your specific velvet, it’s best to look at the care tags that are sewn onto your curtains.