Velvet Throw Pillows: Types, Pile Marks and How to Care for Them

Velvet throw pillows give a sofa deep color and a soft sheen that suits winter. Most are polyester velvet, with cotton and silk at the traditional end. Expect pile marks where they are pressed: that is normal, and light steam and a soft brush help the pile recover. Spot clean spills and follow the care label.

Why choose velvet throw pillows?

Velvet has a dense, cut pile, so it looks rich under lamplight and feels soft against the skin. It is one of the fabrics that makes a room feel warmer in the colder months, next to faux fur and chunky knit. Our throw pillow covers guide explains how velvet is woven and how it compares with chenille, linen and faux fur. This page is about choosing between velvets and keeping them looking good.

Cotton, polyester or silk velvet?

Velvet is named for its structure, not its fiber, so the label matters. The Irish Examiner’s velvet care guide notes that most velvet on the high street, in furnishing, curtains and fashion, is largely polyester. Wikipedia’s entry on velvet compares the traditional fibers:

For pillows that get leaned on every evening, the fiber matters less than the care label. A polyester or cotton cover with a zipper is the practical choice. Silk velvet suits a pillow that is mostly for looking at.

Crushed, panne and other velvet looks

Velvet comes in several finishes, and listings use these names. Wikipedia describes them this way:

• Crushed velvet: a lustrous velvet with a patterned look, made by pressing the pile in different directions or twisting the fabric while wet.
• Panne: a crushed velvet with the pile forced in one direction under heavy pressure.
• Embossed velvet: a pattern heat-stamped into the pile with a metal roller.
• Devore, or burnout: areas of pile dissolved away, leaving a pattern on a sheer base.

Crushed velvet tends to hide marks, because its pile already lies in many directions. A smooth, even velvet shows every press of a hand, which some people like and some find fussy.

Why velvet changes color in the light

Velvet looks lighter from one side and darker from the other. Wikipedia explains that velvet can be cut pile up or pile down, for more shine or a more saturated color. On a pillow, the same effect means a cover looks different when you flip or turn it. Two covers from one listing can look like slightly different shades if one is turned the other way, so set a matched pair with the pile running the same direction.

How to fix pile marks and crushing

Marks are part of owning velvet. Dekowe, a pillow maker, says it is normal for velvet to show marks after use, and that light steam and brushing in the pile’s direction help it recover faster.

The Irish Examiner gives these steps:

1. Hold a steamer about 3 to 5 cm from the fabric to lift the pile. Do not press the head into the velvet.
2. Brush gently, first against the pile and then in its direction, so the brush reaches all the tufts.
3. Never scrub the pile hard. Flat spots can be revived only if the pile has not worn away.

Dekowe suggests a soft-bristle brush, even a toothbrush, for lifting the pile on a pillow.

How to clean velvet pillows

Velvet care depends on the fiber, so start with the label. The Irish Examiner points to furniture cleaning codes: W or WS fabrics usually allow damp cleaning and steam, and S fabrics need professional cleaning. For small spills, Dekowe suggests spot cleaning with mild soap and water or a dry-cleaning product. Blot rather than rub, so the pile does not mat.

If a cover is machine washable, the label will say so. Covers that are not are better spot cleaned and steamed between uses.

How to style velvet pillows

Velvet stands out most next to a flatter fabric. Our guide to throw pillows for a couch suggests at least one pillow in three with a different texture, such as a velvet next to two linens. Deep shades such as rust, emerald and navy look rich under a lamp in the evening. For the right size and insert, see our throw pillow size guide, and add a soft throw blanket to finish the sofa.