The Word "Chenille" is French for "Butterfly". It refers to the long rows of Tufted fabric or yarn which gives Chenille it's distinctive look and feel.
Because Chenille Yarn is tufted and the yarn actually stands up at right angles, it gives two different looks.
Brushed one way and it actually appears to shimmer in the light with an iridescent quality. Brushed by hand another way and Chenille appears flatter and has more of a matte appearance.
Whether you purchase your Chenille New or go Vintage, It is important to remember that Chenille will only retain it's look with gentle Treatment
While Dry Cleaning is what we recommend, It is washable in a washing machine Only if washed & dried on a gentle cycle. High machine agitation as well as High heat cycles can do irreparable damage to Chenille.
We advise against using bleach on any Chenille Fabric, many of the new & old bedspreads are not true White but are Ecru in colour. Bleach will destroy this colour and harm the fibers of the yarn making it weak.
Chenille cannot be hung on a wash line with pegs, It must be dried as flat as possible to prevent it from stretching.
Don't forget it is the drying process that makes you're Chenille Spread so fluffy.
If you take care when laundering Chenille, it will last for years & look as good as the day you bought it. 
