How to Clean Velvet Shoes, Without Damaging Them | Step-by-Step Guide

Velvet shoes are undoubtedly stunning, but they require a little more TLC than other types of footwear. Fear not if you’ve found yourself sweating at the thought of ruining your beloved velvet shoes! There are ways to clean them thoroughly without causing any damage.

The key is to use soft and non-abrasive materials, such as a soft-bristled brush, a microfiber cloth, and a mixture of gentle soap and water. With careful effort, you can restore your shoes to their former glory and flaunt them with confidence!

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what cleaning supplies and methods work best for velvet shoes without accidentally ruining their beloved texture along the way!

6 Ways to Clean Velvet Shoes, Without Damaging It

Cleaning velvet shoes can be a tricky task. You want to use suitable methods, cleaning products, and techniques to keep them looking their best. But it’s not impossible!

With the proper guidance and information, anyone can learn how to give their favorite velvet shoes an excellent clean without damaging them.

Check out these six simple but effective solutions, and have your velvet shoes sparkling clean in no time.

1. Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber clothes are a go-to solution for cleaning blotting stains before they dry and set into velvet fabric. If you spill a liquid on your shoes, lightly dab the microfiber cloth on the wet area to absorb the liquid before it dries. 

One of the best microfiber products in the market is Microfiber Cleaning Cloth,12 Pack Cleaning Towels. They are soft, affordable, and environmentally friendly. They are super absorbent, easy to use, and come in an assortment of distinct colors. 

2. Soft Brush

Velvet fabrics are a magnet for dust and dirt. This should not worry you as we have the right solution for people walking on dusty streets. We recommend using a soft brush to remove dirt and dust. 

Brushes with stiff bristles can destroy your fabric, and we strongly advise avoiding them. One of the best soft brushes you can use is a horsehair shoe brush. They remove dust and dirt and are gentle on your velvet shoes. 

We recommend you use 3 Pieces Horsehair Shoes Polish Brushes by Jovitec. This horsehair shoe brush comes in three varied sizes that enable you to get to hard-to-reach areas on your shoes. 

3. Mild Cleaning Solution

If you have no access to cleaning products, worry not. A visit to the kitchen will suffice. Grab your dishwasher soap and water to create a mild cleaning solution. Dishwasher soap will help you get rid of tough stains that have set into your shoe without damaging it.

Another alternative from your kitchen would be to use lemon juice and baking soda. To use the dishwasher soap and water solution:

1. Add 1 to 2 squirts of the dishwashing soap in a small bowl.
2. Add water, and your solution is ready.
3. Use a soft toothbrush to apply the solution to the stained spot. 

To use the lemon and baking soda solution, 

1. Squeeze a whole lemon into a small bowl and add two tablespoons of baking powder. 
2. Stir the mixture until foam is formed. 
3. Apply the mixture to the stained spot using a soft brush. 
4. Let the mixture set in for a few minutes and wipe it to remove tough stains.

We highly recommend the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda as it is pure, effective, safe, and affordable. It’s also very efficient in cleaning and deodorizing velvet shoes without damaging them.

4. Protective Spray

To protect your new velvet shoes, use protective shoe spray. Protective shoe sprays are dust resistant and waterproof, thus protecting your shoes from road spills and dust from sidewalks.

Once you purchase your preferred shoe protective spray, try it first on a small area of your shoe to ensure it does not darken or harden the velvet in your shoes. 

One of the best products on the market is the Boot Rescue All-Natural Premium Protector Spray, from the Boot Rescue Store (also available on Amazon.com). 

The premium protector spray advanced formulation helps prevent and keep at bay oil, water, and spillage from damaging your velvet shoes. In addition, it helps protect your velvet from fading or being damaged by excess sunlight. 

5. Cleanser Solution

If you do not have the time to make homemade cleaning solutions, you can purchase shoe cleaning products that will do the same work with equivalent results. 

One of the best shoe-cleaning products you can use is Saphir Medaille, Velvet, Nubuck & Suede Shoe Cleaner. 

The cleaners’ safe formulation removes dried stains, watermarks, and accumulated dirt from velvet, suede, and nubuck shoes. Using this cleaner will also restore and enhance the velvet shoes’ original color.

Steps to Follow:

1. In a small bowl of water (1/3 glass of water), mix 3 cups of the cleaning solution. 
2. Wet your soft brush in the mix and clean your velvet fabric using gentle round motions. 
3. Rinse your brush in water and repeat the same procedure to complete cleaning your shoes. 
4. Let the shoe air dry, preferably for a few hours, before wearing them. 

6. Professional Shoe Cleaner

If the solutions mentioned above do not work, do not try any other aggressive methods to clean your velvet shoes; you might damage them.

Instead, visit a professional shoe cleaner with experience cleaning such shoes to help you remove tough stains.

Final Words

As this article outlines, cleaning your velvet shoes sporadically and correctly can help them last much longer and keep you looking chic. With the proper care, velvet shoes require very little maintenance.

By taking a few steps to protect them, such as spray coating them with a protectant or dusting them after every use, you’ll keep your shoes in pristine condition for multiple seasons. Just remember that if something truly unexpected happens to your beloved shoes, they can be restored through professional services.

Taking the extra precautions to keep them clean will ensure that all of your favorite pieces remain a part of your life for a long, glamorous time to come.

Last update on 2025-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API