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Velvet is a magnetic fabric. When you see it, you're drawn to touch it and enjoy its soft pile and wonderful texture. It's also a popular fabric for holiday and party wear when you want to feel absolutely gorgeous.

Velvet is created by a double action weaving process. Two pieces of fabric are woven simultaneously, with the space between them interlocked with connecting yarns. The final step is to slice the two pieces apart, leaving both with an upright pile surface. When velvet was first introduced, it was only available to royalty and the rich because of its intricate weaving. In fact, blue velvet was reserved for use by the King of France, his family, and any favored subjects to whom he gave the privilege of wearing it.

Today, velvet is more accessible, and the array of colors, patterns and designs is breathtaking, but it is still as vulnerable to damage as it has always been. The most lovely aspect of velvet is its "soft pile." However, with normal wear, the pile can become flattened, matted, or even rubbed off. Some velvets are more prone to this than others. For instance, acetate velvet can become permanently flattened from normal wearing conditions: heat, moisture or pressure. This means it is important to take good care of your velvets. Here are a few tips:

• If you spill on velvet, don't blot the moisture. This will flatten the pile. Instead, shake excess spills from the fabric and allow it to dry.
• Hang velvets in a well ventilated, loosely packed closet.
• Never use an iron on velvet. Hang it in the bathroom and steam the garment to remove wrinkles.
• Clean velvet garments immediately after use, and have a professional tackle any stains.

 Please keep in mind that some items may look like a true velvet but are actually a flocked fabric: that is, a sprayed or glued on material that does not hold up well to cleaning or wear.

No wonder velvet was reserved for royalty! Back then, only royalty had personal garment care experts at their disposal. Today, you have this same luxury! Let Dependable Cleaners take care of your velvets, so you can go on looking like royalty for years to come.