According to Zoe Garred, the Director of Product Development at Article, a best practice is to vacuum your sofa regularly using a fabric attachment to take care of general dirt and debris. I have personally tried this, and my couch looks as fresh as the day it arrived after a few minutes of vaccuming.
"Spills happen from time to time. Remember to soak up any spills with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel, but be careful not to dab or rub as this will push the liquid deeper into the velvet fibres. A good tip is to leave the cloth on the spill and let it air dry," she explains.
"Another great way to keep velvet looking fresh is to use a steamer on a low setting. Since velvet has a higher pile (taller strands of fabric on its surface), it has the tendency to compress when under pressure for long periods of time. A quick once-over with a steamer is all you need to help lift the pile and make it look good as new."