How to Wash Velvet at Home Without Ruining the Feel – A Complete Guide with Styling Advice & Brand Picks

How to Wash Velvet at Home Without Ruining the Feel – A Complete Guide with Styling Advice & Brand Picks

Velvet's luxe texture and rich sheen make it an elegant wardrobe staple—whether for a statement blazer, evening dress, or soft joggers. But caring for velvet can feel like a high-wire act. With the right techniques, you can wash certain types at home without ruining that signature plush pile. Here’s how, plus styling tips, brand recommendations, and how Tellar.co.uk ensures perfect fit every time.

1. 🧪 What Types of Velvet Can Be Washed?

Before washing anything at home, check your garment’s label:

✅ Machine- or Hand-Washable Velvets:

• Polyester stretch velvet

• Crushed velvet (synthetic)

• Cotton velour (found in some loungewear)

These are generally safe for hand-washing or gentle machine cycles—if the care instructions don't say otherwise.

❌ Dry-Clean Only Velvet:

• Silk velvet

• Rayon or viscose velvet

These fabrics can suffer crushed pile, watermarks, or shrinkage and should only be cleaned professionally.

2. 🧼 How to Hand Wash Velvet at Home

For washable velvet:

1. Check the care label first.

2. Fill a basin with cool-to-lukewarm water; add a gentle detergent (baby shampoo or wool wash works well).

3. Turn the garment inside out to shield the pile.

4. Soak for no more than 10 minutes, gently swirling.

5. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until detergent-free.

6. Press out water by laying flat between towels—never wring.

7. Air-dry flat, away from heat or sunlight.

💡 Reminder:Never tumble-dry velvet—it flattens and damages the pile.

3. 🧺 Gentle Machine Washing (If Label Permits)

Use this routine only when machine washing is allowed:

• Turn the item inside out.

• Place it in a mesh laundry bag.

• Select a delicate cold cycle.

• Use a mild detergent—no softeners.

• After washing, reshape while damp and dry flat.

4. 💨 Steam, Don’t Iron

Velvet textures are ruined by direct ironing. Instead:

• Use a steamer on low heat.

• Steam from the inside, holding the steamer a few inches away.

• Keep the fabric taut but don’t press it.

5. 🎨 Styling Velvet—Keep It Balanced

Velvet brings instant glamour—balance it with minimal styling:

Evening:

• Velvet blazer + silk cami + tailored trousers

• Wrap velvet midi dress in jewel tones

• Velvet clutch or block-heel pumps

Day:

• Velvet wide-leg trousers + crisp tee + trainers

• Velour joggers + clean blazer + loafers

• Simple velvet skirt + fitted knit + ankle boots

6. 🧵 Top Brands with Quality Velvet & Great Fit

Not all velvet is created equal. These brands excel in texture, drape, and consistent sizing:

Women:

• Reiss – Polished blazers & velvet bottoms

• Ghost – Bias-cut velvet dresses

• Whistles – Luxurious velvet separates

• ME+EM – Tailored velvet pieces

Men:

• Reiss – Structured velvet jackets

• Moss – Velvet tuxes for formal events

• Paul Smith – Velvet jackets in bold hues

Fit is crucial for velvet: it's unforgiving of poor sizing, emphasizing wrinkles or pulling.

7. 🎯 Why Fit Matters & How Tellar.co.uk Helps

Velvet accentuates every fit imperfection. That’s why knowing your exact size matters—and that’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

What Tellar Does:

• Matches your actual body measurements to garment specs in over 1,500 brands—including Reiss, Ghost, ME+EM.

• Flags whether items run small, true to size, or require sizing up (common in structured velvet).

• Provides live sizing through brand-specific tools and fit insights.

Tellar even covers tricky brands like Reiss and Ghost with tailored velvet guides.

8. 📚 Must-Read Tellar Style & Fit Guides

Each of these live Tellar posts includes insights and free sizing tools:

• tellar.co.uk

  tellar.co.uk
  tellar.co.uk

• tellar.co.uk

• tellar.co.uk

9. 🧹 Velvet Care & Fit Quick Tips

• Spot-test any cleaning solution on an inside seam first.

• Hang heavyweight velvet on padded hangers; fold lighter pieces with tissue to maintain pile.

• For stains, blot gently—don’t rub. Steam post-wash for plush texture.

🔧 How to Get Your Perfect Velvet Fit via Tellar.co.uk

1. Order your free measuring tape

2. Create a profile with your chest, waist, hip measurements

3. Use brand-specific tools (like Ghost, Reiss links above)

4. Get instant size recs with fit advice

5. Shop velvet confidently—no returns needed

📲 Follow Tellar for More Fashion & Fit Expertise

Stay updated with the latest guides, styling advice, and fit science:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter/X: @TellarSizing

• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

• Pinterest: TellarSizing

✨ Final Word: Velvet That Lasts & Fits

Yes, you can wash some velvets at home—gentle cycles, cool water, and never tumble dry. Steam, don’t iron. Style strategically for balance. Most importantly, get the fit right—because velvet shows everything. With live sizing tools from Tellar.co.uk, you can buy Reiss, Ghost, ME+EM, and more with absolute confidence. Luxurious, well-fitted velvet is within reach—without risk, frustration, or returns.