How to dry velvet fabrics safely? (Caring velvet fabric)

So, the first step to safely drying a velvet item is to shake the fabric after washing it to get rid of excess water.

Next, wrap it in a towel and gently press it to get rid of as much water as possible. Then hang it or lay it flat on a drying rack to dry naturally.

The other way to dry your velvet garment is to use a clothes dryer (only if the care label of your velvet item suggests this).

Once you’ve determined that your velvet fabric is suitable for machine drying, place it in the tumble dryer on the lowest heat setting.

Also, if possible, place the velvet item in a suitable laundry bag or pillowcase and run the dryer on a gentle cycle.

Note: The best way to dry your velvet safely is to let it air-dry naturally.

Can you dry velvet in the dryer?

Since velvet is a delicate fabric, it can easily be damaged at high temperatures and by vigorous tumbling, so it is best to avoid drying velvet clothing in a dryer.

When exposed to high heat, or even medium heat, the velvet may shrink, deform, or lose its soft, plush texture.

How long does it take for velvet to dry?

The drying duration entirely depends on how thick and dense the fabric is, the drying method, and the amount of air circulation around the fabric. Having said that, in most cases, you can expect an average velvet fabric to dry in around 5 to 6 hours when hung in an open, ventilated area with adequate air circulation.

You can cut down on drying time by doing something more aggressive, like using a hair dryer. However, this is not recommended because the velvet might shrink or lose its softness.

Does velvet get ruined when wet?

Keeping the velvet fabric soaked in water for too long can certainly shrink it and ruin the texture. So, it’s important to follow the instructions on the care label and dry the fabric right after you wash it.

Before washing your delicate velvet fabric, it’s important to confirm if it can be washed or dry-cleaned.

So, if the fabric is labeled “dry clean only,” it makes a lot of sense to avoid washing it.

Washing a velvet fabric that is labeled “dry clean only” can certainly ruin the fabric, as it is not designed to handle the water and strong agitation of washing machines.

How to effectively dry velvet fabrics with care?

Drying a velvet fabric is actually very simple, as there isn’t any special method required.

To be honest, the nature of the fabric does not allow you to use any sophisticated method of drying, thereby restricting you to a simple method.

Here’s how you can dry your velvet fabric safely and effectively.

Step 1: Shake the velvet garment after washing

Before drying velvet clothes, the first step is to get rid of any excess water. You can do this by gently shaking the wet garment (without wringing it).

Step 2: Press with a soft towel

After giving it a gentle shake to get rid of extra water, you can try wrapping it in a soft, lint-free towel.

Just wrap the fabric in a towel and gently press it so that the towel soaks up the extra moisture on the surface of the velvet fabric.

Doing this will boost the drying process and save your drying time.

Step 3: Hang it to air dry

Air drying in a natural way is the best and safest option if you want to avoid any damage to the velvet fabric.

Once you have soaked excess moisture from the velvet garment with the help of the above methods, simply hang it to air dry.

Velvet fabric can be dried on a drying rack or a clothes hanger. Just make sure to hang them where they will get plenty of air and not be in direct sunlight.

Alternate ways to dry velvet

Garment Steamers

Use hand-held steamers on velvet clothes to help them dry faster and get rid of wrinkles.

You should set the steamer to the lowest heat settings and make minimum use of steam in the process.

Also, make sure to keep a proper distance between the velvet garment and the steamer head.

When steaming velvet clothes, you don’t have to do a lot of work, so use steam for a short time and then let it air dry completely.

Tumble dryer

When we talk about velvet clothes, using a tumble dryer is usually not a good idea.

But still, if you want to use a tumble dryer, ensure caution in the process by using a low-heat setting, as this will help to preserve the fabric.

Additionally, always select the most delicate and shortest possible cycle from the settings menu of your tumble dryer.

That being said, if possible, use a laundry bag or pillowcase to dry your delicate velvet fabric.

Just put the damp fabric in the laundry bag or pillowcase that is good enough to go into the dryer, and then select the delicate and low heat setting to tumble dry the fabric.

Note: Check the care label on your velvet fabric before putting it in a dryer. If there is a warning about machine drying, don’t use the dryer.

Final Thoughts

Drying a velvet fabric is actually very easy, as you have limited options to work with.

Because you don’t have many choices, it’s easy to choose simple methods of drying fabric, i.e., letting it air-dry naturally.

That being said, make sure that you go through the care label before washing or drying your velvet fabric, as the label should have detailed instructions on how to properly care for the fabric.