Velvet Throw Blankets: Fibers, Crushed Velvet and Safe Washing
What a velvet throw is made of, how velvet, crushed velvet, velour and velveteen differ, and how to wash and dry a velvet blanket without crushing the pile.
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A velvet throw blanket is made from velvet, a woven fabric with a dense, even cut pile, often in polyester for blankets. It gives a sofa sheen and deep color more than loft. Wash it only as the label allows, cool and gentle, dry it flat or on no heat, and never iron it.
What is velvet, exactly?
Velvet is a weave, not a fiber. It is woven as two layers of fabric joined by an extra set of warp yarns, which are then cut apart to leave a short, upright pile on each layer. That dense pile catches light, so velvet shows rich color and a soft shine.
Velvet can be made from many fibers. Silk velvet is the most expensive, and much “silk velvet” is actually a blend with rayon or cotton. Cotton velvet is durable but shows less depth of color. Polyester, nylon, viscose and acetate are all used, sometimes with a small amount of spandex for stretch. Many velvet throws sold for the sofa are polyester, so read the fiber content before you buy.
Velvet, crushed velvet, velour and velveteen
Several soft-pile fabrics get sold under the velvet name. Here is how they differ:
| Fabric | How it is made | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Woven, pile from cut warp yarns | Dense, even pile and deep color |
| Crushed velvet | Velvet with the pile pressed in different directions, or twisted while wet | A patterned, shimmering surface |
| Velour | Knitted with a pile | Stretchier and less dense |
| Velveteen | Woven, pile from cut weft yarns | Shorter pile, more matte |
| Panne velvet (fabric stores) | Usually a polyester knit with a short pile | A flat, high shine |
Crushed velvet hides creases and wear well, which suits a throw that lives folded on a sofa arm. Smooth velvet looks richer but shows pressure marks where it has been sat on.
Is a velvet throw warm?
A velvet throw is warm enough for a cool evening on the sofa, but it is not the warmest throw you can buy. Its short, dense pile does not trap air the way a deep sherpa or faux fur pile does. People choose velvet for its color and drape, and pair it with a heavier blanket in winter. Our sherpa vs fleece vs faux fur comparison covers the high-loft options.
Soft throw blankets for the sofa
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How to wash a velvet throw
Start with the tag. The Laundress, a laundry care brand, says items marked Dry Clean Only or Do Not Wash should not be laundered, while crushed velvet and many polyester velvets can be cared for at home. Cleanipedia, Unilever’s cleaning site, also says to machine wash velvet only if the label allows it.
When the label allows washing:
- Hand wash if you can. The Laundress calls it the gentlest method: cool water, a delicate detergent, soak for up to 30 minutes and do not wring.
- If you use the machine, turn the throw inside out, put it in a mesh bag and use a cold, delicate cycle with a low spin.
- Dry it flat or hanging, or use the dryer’s no-heat fluff setting.
- Brush the pile with a soft clothing brush once it is dry, which Cleanipedia also suggests.
Safety
Styling a velvet throw
Velvet works best as a contrast. A velvet throw on a linen or cotton sofa, or a velvet cushion against a chunky knit, gives a room two textures to look at. Deep colors such as emerald, rust and navy show off velvet’s sheen most.
For matching cushions, our guide to velvet throw pillows covers the same fabric on the sofa. Our throw pillow covers guide covers swapping covers by season.
Velvet, linen and chenille pillow covers
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For a softer, slicker plush, see our guide to minky blankets. For texture that breathes, our wool and knit throws guide covers chunky knits, and our throw blanket buying guide compares every common throw fabric. Every guide is listed in our blankets and throws section.
Frequently asked questions
What is a velvet throw blanket made of?
Many are polyester, sometimes with a little spandex, though velvet is also made from cotton, rayon (viscose) and silk blends. Velvet is defined by its weave, a dense cut pile, rather than by one fiber, so check the fiber content on the label.
Can you wash a velvet throw in the washing machine?
Only if its label says so. The Laundress says to turn a machine-washable velvet item inside out, put it in a mesh bag and use a cold, delicate cycle with a low spin. Items marked Dry Clean Only or Do Not Wash should not be laundered.
Can you put velvet in the dryer?
Usually not on heat. The Laundress says to lay velvet flat or hang it to dry, or use the dryer's no-heat fluff setting. Heat can flatten the pile.
How do you get wrinkles out of velvet?
Steam it rather than iron it. The Laundress and Cleanipedia both say never to iron velvet because it crushes the pile. A steamer and a soft clothing brush lift the pile back up.
What is the difference between velvet and velour?
Velvet is woven and velour is knitted. Both have a soft pile, but velour stretches more and has a less dense surface. Velveteen is a third cousin whose pile comes from the weft yarns rather than the warp.
Sources
- VelvetWikipedia
- How to Wash VelvetThe Laundress
- How to clean velvetCleanipedia (Unilever)
Part of our guide to Types of Blankets: Throw, Weighted, Cooling or Heated?.
