Home / Sofa Blog / How to Get Dog Scratches Out of Your Lovely Velvet Sofa

How to Get Dog Scratches Out of Your Lovely Velvet Sofa

Lili Hu 2025-10-16

Welcome to the world of velvet sofas! These pieces of furniture are super comfy and make your house look amazing. Maybe you chose a beautiful velvet sofa from Atunus Home because you love the soft look and feel. But if you have a dog, you might have noticed something not-so-fun: dog scratches! Sometimes our furry friends try to dig into the sofa or just get aggressive near the window, leaving "insane scratches".

Don't worry! Pet scratches can make a couch look ugly, and you might think you need a brand-new one, but often you can bring your couch back to life. We are here to show you simple, friendly ways to fix those dog scratch marks right out of your velvet sofa.

Table of Contents

Why Your Lovely Velvet Sofa Gets Scratched by Dogs

Before we fix the scratches, let's learn why dogs love (or accidentally) damage our soft velvet furniture. Understanding the why helps us with the how to fix and prevent.

The Softness That Shows Everything

Velvet is a special kind of finish, not just a fabric. It has a lovely soft pile. While velvet is comfy and looks great, one of the biggest downsides is that it shows everything.

When a dog’s claw runs across the material, it doesn't always cut the fiber right away. Instead, the claw moves the soft velvet fibers around, which changes how the light hits them, making the mark look really clear, especially on dark velvet. Even though velvet shows these marks easily, the good news is that it often cleans easily too.

Why Dogs Dig and Scratch

Dogs scratch or bite the couch for many reasons. Some dogs, like Pit Bulls, have made major scratches on velvet sofas. Others, like Pugs, might scratch at night because they have lots of energy. Sometimes a dog might be scratching because they are anxious, or maybe they just like to dig in the couch. These movements leave deep claw marks or scuff marks that we need to fix.

Quick Fixes for Light Dog Scratches on Velvet Sofa

For scratches where the fibers are just pushed out of place—not actually cut—you can often fix them yourself! The goal here is to gently move the velvet fibers back where they belong, making the scratch disappear.

Using Simple Brushing Tools

One of the easiest ways to start fixing light claw marks is by brushing or buffing the area.

Try a Comb or Brush: You can use a regular comb, an animal hair brush, or even a shoe polishing brush.
The Technique: Try brushing the whole cushion back and forth a couple of times. If the scratches didn’t cut the fibers, sometimes moving the brush in small circles can help buff them out.
Be Patient: One person tried rubbing the scratched area with a comb for 30 minutes and started seeing the marks fade, which is a good sign that the repair is working.

A Little Water Magic

Water can help coax the velvet fibers back into place without leaving water marks, especially since velvet often handles dampness well.

Damp Cloth: You can try using a slightly damp washcloth to help move the fibers.
Microfiber Power: Many people find that a wet microfiber rag is super effective and can take off "literally everything" from the velvet, including dirt that highlights the scratches.
Gently Blot: If the scratch is also dirty, you can gently blot stains with a lint-free cloth and a simple cleaning solution made of warm water and dish soap.

Deep Repair for Big Dog Marks on Your Velvet Sofa

Sometimes, the dog scratches are more than just displaced fibers; they look rough or ugly. For these tougher marks, you might need a dedicated tool to help restore the surface of your velvet sofa.

The Power of a Fabric Shaver

A fabric shaver, also called a lint remover, is a highly recommended tool for velvet furniture owners.

What it Does: When dogs scratch, they can pull up the small fibers and make the surface fuzzy or ragged. A lint remover can help deal with pet scratches.
The Result: Using a lint pro product or fabric shaver can make your old couch look new again, even after pet scratches. Many people say this tool is a "must" for soft, plush couches when you have a pet.

Vacuuming and Deep Cleaning

Regular cleaning is a key part of fixing and maintaining your velvet.

Vacuuming: Always start by gently vacuuming your velvet sofa all over to remove crumbs and dust. An upholstery attachment on your vacuum is perfect for this.
Using Steam: Steam can be your friend when cleaning velvet, helping to remove creases and refresh the fabric after cleaning. Steam can even give the sofa a freshen-up and may help certain marks shift.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner: You can find multi-purpose cleaners that are great for velvet couches because they effectively remove dirt and won't leave water residue, often leaving a pleasant scent.

When to Call the Experts for Your Velvet Sofa

Some damage may be too big or deep for simple home methods. When this happens, professional help is a smart choice.

When DIY Isn't Enough

If you have tried brushing, cleaning, and using a fabric shaver, but the scratch marks are still very visible, it might be time for expert care.

Professional Repair: Professional upholstery cleaning services are often tailored to safely clean and restore velvet, using special, professional-grade tools and proven methods.
Can They Fix Scratches? Yes, professional upholstery services can restore dog scratches on a velvet sofa. These experts can bring your lovely Atunus Home velvet sofa back to life and looking amazing.

Keeping Dog Scratches Away: Prevention Tips for Your Velvet Sofa

The best way to get scratches out is to stop them from happening in the first place! Since the problem of scratches will always come back if you have pets, prevention is important.

Using Pet-Friendly Couch Covers

Couch covers are a smart solution to protect your sofa from scratches and pet chaos.

Protection Power: You can easily protect your sofa from damage caused by dog scratches using sofa covers or slipcovers.
Tear-Proof Options: Some covers are made from tear-proof, machine-washable, and fur-resistant fabric, which saves you money on having to replace your furniture.
Velvet Covers: If you love the velvet look of your Atunus Home couch, you can even find pet-friendly velvet sofa covers to keep the style while adding protection. These covers transform the sofa quickly, sometimes making it scratchy to silky in just three seconds.

Giving Your Dog Their Own Spot

Often, dogs scratch the sofa because they are trying to get comfortable or make a spot for themselves.

Dog Beds: A great way to protect your furniture is to give your dog a durable, secure, and comfortable dog bed or dog couch that is designed for pets.
Training & Care: Making sure your dog's nails are trimmed can also help reduce the severity of scratches. Also, keep an eye on behavior, especially if they get aggressive near windows or have bursts of energy.

Caring for Your Atunus Home Velvet Sofa Long-Term

Taking good care of your velvet sofa means cleaning it often and gently.

Routine Cleaning to Keep Velvet Fluffy

Velvet upholstery adds a luxurious feel to any space, but it needs special care to keep its beautiful look.

Simple Steps: Start by gently vacuuming your sofa to remove crumbs and dust. Next, use a damp microfiber cloth to carefully remove stubborn dust or stains.
Keeping it Soft: When spot cleaning, be careful about the cleaning products you use. Harsh cleaning agents left in the couch can make the fabric go from soft to crunchy. A mild solution of warm water and dish soap is gentle enough for blotting stains.
Professional Maintenance: For very deep cleaning, especially after years of use (like five years), having your sofas professionally deep cleaned can maintain their appearance and tackle tough areas.

Conclusion

A beautiful velvet sofa from Atunus Home is a wonderful piece of furniture, even when you share your life with dogs! While dogs might leave major scratches or claw marks, remember that velvet is known to clean easy. By gently brushing the fibers back in place with a comb or a damp cloth, using a fabric shaver for tougher marks, or investing in a protective cover, you can keep your couch looking amazing. With patience and these simple cleaning tips, your velvet couch can stay comfy and stunning for many years to come.