Velvet-covered furniture is some of the most elegant upholstered furniture available. Velvet is luxurious and can add richness and a touch of class to any décor. Unfortunately, it also attracts fuzz and can be difficult to clean without robbing it of its wonderful texture. How should you care for your velvet furniture to keep it looking its best?

Velvet loses its sheen for many reasons. Stains and moisture wreak havoc on the elegant fabric. Excess fuzziness and overuse also contribute to velvet's diminished appearance. Luckily, there are ways to overcome all of these challenges and breathe new life into your velvet furniture.

Spills happen - especially if you have kids or pets. If something gets spilled on your velvet upholstery, don't panic. The best thing you can do is take a clean, super-absorbent cloth or paper towel and soak up the excess liquid. Don't dab or rub the spill, as this will force the liquid deeper into the fibers. Instead, leave the cloth in place until most or all of the liquid has been absorbed. Then air-dry the fabric, or use a blow-dryer on a very low setting to dry it out.

For more persistent stains, add a small amount of dish washing detergent to a half cup of water, and shake it well. Use only the resulting suds to clean the stain. Be careful not to rub too vigorously. Also, blot well between applications of the soap suds.

Maybe stains and spills aren't a problem, but your velvet is still looking a little matte. In this case, steamers and dry brushes are your friends. In order to fluff up the velvet fibers and have them looking new again, use the steamer against the direction of the pile. Then take a dry brush (you can find ones specifically designed for use with furniture) and brush the velvet in the opposite direction. Once the pile is all going the same way again, you should notice that the formerly matted area matches the rest of the upholstery.

Fuzz and wrinkles are common complaints from velvet furniture owners. Vacuums are handy for lint, fuzz and pet hair removal. Most of these devices come with attachments that are designed for use on upholstery. If your vacuum is a bit Spartan, try stretching a pair of nylons over the nozzle. You'll suck up all the fuzz and debris without damaging your velvet. For wrinkles, use a steamer rather than an iron. Velvet is too delicate to stand up to ironing. Steaming is a gentle way to relax the folds in the fabric.

If your velvet furniture sees regular use, it might be looking a little bare in some spots. One part of being a great velvet furniture owner is knowing when to call in the professionals. If your furniture has spots or bare patches that you can't remove, it might be time for a professional cleaning - or reupholstering.

Velvet is a beautiful fabric that requires a little bit of extra attention. Most velvet furniture owners feel that the extra care is worth it. After all, nothing says style like velvet upholstery.