How to Wash and Care for Velvet and Chenille Comforters: A Complete Guide

Before Washing

Read the comforter's label, and if the comforter is bulky or heavily detailed, consider dry cleaning. Wash the pillowcases and sheet separately from the comforter, and wash them once on their own before first use.

• Turn the comforter inside out so the pile isn't damaged.
• Treat stains before washing with cold water and a mild liquid detergent, without hard rubbing.
• Wash dark and light colors separately.

Washing a Velvet Comforter

Wash velvet in cold or lukewarm water, 30°C at most, on a delicate cycle or by hand. Use only a mild liquid detergent; bleach and harsh powders destroy both the color and the pile.

• Don't wring or twist it; press out excess water gently or with a towel.
• Dry it flat in the shade.
• Don't iron it; to smooth it, steam from a distance and brush the pile with a soft brush in the direction of the nap.

Washing a Chenille Comforter

Chenille's raised texture stays intact when washed in cold water (30°C at most) on a gentle machine cycle or by hand. Avoid concentrated fabric softeners, as they weigh down the tufted yarns and make them limp.

• Wash it inside out.
• Don't hang it while wet; the weight of the water ruins its shape. Dry it flat in the shade.
• Never iron it directly; if needed, iron on the reverse side at low heat.

How Often Should You Wash?

Wash pillowcases every week and the comforter itself every few months. Airing it regularly outdoors, out of direct sunlight, keeps the comforter fresh and reduces the need for frequent washing.

Seasonal Storage

When the season for a heavy comforter is over, make sure it is completely clean and dry, then store it in a breathable fabric bag — not plastic — away from moisture and direct sunlight. Don't put anything heavy on a velvet comforter, so the pile doesn't flatten.