Shoes made of velvet are particularly beautiful. Of course, keeping your velvet footwear in pristine condition for as long as possible is a priority if you wear them. However, they are bound to get a little dirty from all the use (and dancing) you give them. If you've invested in a beautiful pair of velvet shoes, it's in your best interest to learn the proper care and maintenance techniques to ensure that they last as long as possible and retain their original beauty.
To that end, we'll be doing just that today. We'll instruct you on the best practices for routinely maintaining and occasionally deep cleaning your velvet footwear. You'll find out how to keep velvet shoes clean from the start.
What's the Point in Investing Time in Learning How to Clean Velvet Shoes?
You know how amazing new velvet slippers or any other kind of velvet shoes look if you've ever spent good money on them. A first wear is like no other experience. The catch is that you don't just want to keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible; you want to flaunt it at every opportunity.
There could be some dirt and grime buildup from all the wearing around town. The dirt and grime will become increasingly difficult to remove if you don't take care of and clean your shoes regularly. However, that's not how things have to be.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Properly Cleaning Velvet Shoes
However, unlike canvas or suede, velvet isn't as easily maintained. Care must be taken in the selection of cleaning products, the intensity of brushing, and other factors. So, first things first, here are the tools and resources you'll require:
Cleaning Velvet Shoes Requires These Products:
- Cleaning brushes made of soft bristles, ideally horse hair (but a toothbrush will do in a pinch)
- Detergent designed for cleaning velvet shoes (or, in a pinch, baby shampoo)
- Baking powder
Stage 1: Renew the Insides
In the first step, we'll give the inside of your shoes a good cleaning. Keeping the velvet slippers' leather pristine is especially important because many of us wear them the Italian way (sockless). Baking soda is used for this purpose.
Adding baking soda to the inside of your shoes can help eliminate odors. It has the capacity to absorb odors and completely remove them. Finally, discard any unused baking soda. Brush any residue loose from the interior and discard it alongside the rest. A little bit of baking soda left inside won't hurt, and it will keep working to neutralize odors over time.
To clean the outer velvet fabric, the second step is to brush away any dust or dirt.
After giving the inside fabric a good cleaning, it's time to give the outside of your shoes some TLC. Since this is the part that is readily apparent, it is also the part that comes to mind when talking about shoe cleaning. Your first step should be to give your fabric a light brushing to loosen any embedded dirt. Before you brush the entire shoe, start with a small area.
Step 3: Use A Cleaning Solution To Get Rid Of The Stains On The Velvet Shoes
The moment you see the stain left behind from a drink spill or mud splatter on your velvet shoes, your heart probably sinks. It sucks Everybody can relate to that because we've all been there. The good news is that there are solutions available to safely remove these stains from velvet.
Let's start with the negative and go from there. Velvet footwear should not be cleaned with water. Damage to the fabric may result because velvet is not water resistant. The occasional shower is to be expected, and the current deluge shouldn't do any lasting damage. But you shouldn't wash your shoes by letting them soak in water. Additionally, you should not use water to scrub them.
Find a shoe cleaner that is safe for velvet instead. In today's world, you can pick from a wide variety of options. Start with a small, unnoticeable area, just as you did in Step 2, with your brush. By doing so, you can see if the cleaner is suitable for your velvet. If the cleaning product passes the spot test, you can use it to clean the rest of your shoes. Even if only one of your shoes is dirty, you should still clean both of them. It will ensure that they continue to look identical.
If you need to clean your shoes but don't have a shoe cleaner on hand, you can use a small amount of baby shampoo, like Johnson's or Baby Dove. The low ingredient count and widespread acceptance of these shampoos as safe for velvet make them a popular choice.
For best results, let the suds sit for a few minutes after scrubbing your velvet to react with the ingrained dirt. Then, remove any traces of soap with a fresh microfiber cloth. Drop the footwear somewhere to dry It's better to use a blow dryer if your shoes are soaking wet, for whatever reason. Moisture stains will be avoided as a result. Further, it will stop the growth of mold and mildew.
After following these steps, your velvet footwear should look and feel like new. They'll be as shiny as new, and you'll be dying to show them off.
Velvet Shoe Safety: What You Need to Know
You have just learned how to properly maintain your velvet footwear. However, prevention is better than treatment. That's why we'll wrap things up by showing you how to keep your velvet shoes clean. In this case, common sense is your greatest ally. If the weather is dreary, you should not go outside wearing shoes. Velvet slippers will get stained and possibly moldy if you splash through puddles and walk through the rain. Instead, put them away until it's dry and sunny outside.
Give them a gentle brushing after each use. Though it may seem cumbersome, please put your faith in us. To avoid more extensive cleaning later, wait until you get home, and then gently brush the fabric with a soft-bristled brush. When dirt and stains are new, they are simple to remove. The longer you wait to remove them, the more stubborn they will become.
You should also think about protecting the velvet with a sealant or similar measure as soon as you purchase it. If you want to keep your velvet shoes dry and clean, this is the perfect solution. It is acceptable if you have already worn them after purchasing them. After a thorough cleaning, you can still use a sealant or protector. Ensure a spotless surface before applying. Finding a fabric protector that is safe for velvet is the first step. Similarly to velvet cleaners, there are a plethora of choices available to you in the digital realm. Additionally, before covering the entire shoe, try the protector in a small, hidden area.
If you have faith in a local cobbler, he or she will be able to expertly safeguard your shoes.
Conclusions on the Proper Care of Velvet Shoes
Okay, so there it is We've covered both the causes of dirtiness in velvet shoes and methods for eradicating them. If you follow the aforementioned guidelines, your shoes will last for years without looking or smelling worn. Do not be hesitant to contact us if you have any questions about the best way to care for your pair of Italian men's shoes. The velvet we use for all of our slippers is of the highest quality and designed to last.
And if you're in the market for a quality pair of Italian shoes, look no further than Del Toro the next time you shop online. Not only do we stock a wide variety of velvet shoes for both men and women, but we also make beautiful leather and suede shoes. Examine the offerings before you and feel free to ask for anything you might need.
