Microfiber couches are renowned for their endurance and affordability. Yet, they aren’t entirely dirt- and stain-proof.
In this article, we’ll show you how to clean a microfiber couch without destroying its beautiful velvety texture.
If you want to know more, just keep on reading!
What You Should Know About Microfiber Furniture
Ever wondered what makes these materials so silky smooth? Well, as their name implies, they have millions of tiny fibers on their surface that are soft to the touch.
Made mostly from synthetic materials, (polyester, nylon, etc.), these leathery and suede-looking textures are relatively cheap, don’t stain as easily, and repel liquids.
That said, they aren’t totally resistant to dirt and stains — hence why they need to be cleaned from time to time.
Speaking of which…
Before You Start Cleaning Your Microfiber Couch
Before attempting to clean your dirty microfiber couch, there are a few things you need to consider. And even though it might seem obvious to experienced cleaners, it’s important not to skip this part if you want your couch to remain intact.
Carefully Read the Care Instruction Tag
Not sure which cleaning agents are suitable for the job? More often than not, the sofa manufacturer will write said info on the care label. Look underneath cushions or at the edge of your sofa for an instructions tag.
It’ll show what you can use to deep clean a microfiber couch. In it, you can read the following codes:
- S — means suitable for solvent-based cleaners.
- W — if you see this, your sofa is water-safe, and you can use water-based cleaners.
- W/S — you can use this with most cleaning agents as well as water.
- X — shows that the fabric is only suitable for vacuuming and brushing.
Act Quickly
One of the saving graces of microfiber is that it does an excellent job of repelling moisture. However, that does not mean that it won’t get stained from accidental spills and the like.
To make sure your couch stays undamaged and stain-free, simply soak the poured liquid with some dry cloth or use a vacuum in the case of food debris.
You can also use a hair dryer to dry off stains as fast as possible. In the case of waterspots, re-moist the area and then dry it with a hair dryer.
If you act accordingly, you’ll spare yourself the visit to the dry cleaners.
Don’t Rub Too Hard
One of the downsides of microfiber is that it’s softer than most upholstery fabrics. Hence, to clean a microfiber suede couch, you need to use the same methods as when cleaning a regular suede couch. In other words, use small circular motions. Rubbing too hard could damage the texture and flatten out the soft fibres.
Never Use Harsh Cleaners
To avoid ruining your couch, avoid using bleach, acetone, and other abrasive chemicals. These include commercial cleaners like carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner. If you’re not sure what type of cleaner to use, do a discolouration test on a remote spot on your couch.
How to Clean Stains on Microfiber Couch
If you’re hard-pressed for time to do a full cleanup or are dealing with fresh stains, use the following steps.
Vacuuming and Brushing
If your microfiber couch is only lightly soiled or dusty, a simple vacuum will usually get the job done.
To make sure the vacuum picks up all the residues between the microfibers, use your upholstery attachment. Preferably, brush your sofa with a soft nylon-bristle brush beforehand. That way, you’ll make sure you can pick up even the tiniest impurities stuck between the fibers.
Pay special attention to the crevices and seams where dirt and grit tend to accumulate.
Blot the Stained Area
Once you’re done vacuuming, it’s time to clean the stains on your microfiber couch.
Blot the stained area with a clean, dry white cloth to soak as much of the stain as you can. Do not rub the stain, as this may make things worse.
As a general rule of thumb, you should treat the couch the same way as you would a velvet couch — gently and with care.
Use Dishwashing Soap
Sponging stains out with soap suds is an effective way of cleaning your precious sofa. Yet, before you start rubbing, make sure your couch is W-coded. Otherwise, you risk damaging it.
Once that’s out of the way, mix a generous amount of dish soap in lukewarm water.
Use gentle, circular motions when cleaning microfiber, and rinse it all with a dampened cloth. Also, don’t drown your couch with too much water; do it in small sections instead. That way, you won’t have any leftover stains and waterspots.
Use Rubbing Alcohol
To clean a microfiber couch with alcohol, just fill a spray bottle, and mist a larger area around the stains. Next, use a white cloth or sponge to scrub each area until pristine. This method works well for both water-sensitive and non-water-sensitive microfiber couches.
Use Laundry Detergent
Yep, water-safe microfiber couches can be cleaned with laundry detergent.
Simply mix some detergent with warm water and gently rub a dampened cloth on the stained area. This should get rid of most spots; even the persistent ones.
Bring the Fluff Back
After a tour of spot-cleaning, you can use a dampened soft cloth to rinse the stain. Let it dry for a few hours. After that, use your soft brush to fluff any matted areas back up.
How to Clean a Heavily Soiled Microfiber Couch
There are a few tried-and-tested methods that you can use to clean a heavily soiled microfiber couch. One option is to spot-clean the affected area with a soft cloth or sponge, using mild detergent and lukewarm water.
Let’s take a deeper dive!
Use a Steam Cleaner
The best way to get rid of harsh stains on a microfiber couch is to simply steam-clean it. If you can, always choose this option over harsh chemical cleaners.
Vinegar
Yes, as a matter of what, you can clean a microfiber couch with vinegar.
One way of doing it is to create a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar and then wipe the surface of your couch.
You can also use a spray bottle filled with diluted vinegar to target more troublesome stains or soiled areas. Likewise, you can mix vinegar with dishwashing soap to create a gentle but highly effective cleaning solution that can be used on all types of fabrics.
Whatever you do, make sure you test the mixture out first to check for any adverse reactions or discolouration.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
For stubborn stains that just won’t come off (like when you need to clean dog urine from your microfiber couch), rinse the sofa with vinegar as explained above. Once you’re done scrubbing, place some baking soda to neutralize the smell.
Let it sit for a few hours, preferably a day if possible. After that, take your vacuum out and clean it up.
Windex
Yes, you’ve heard it right — Windex, the glass and hard-surface brand.
Although not obvious at first sight, Windex is an excellent couch spot-removal tool. Simply mist your couch with this cleaning solution and gently wipe it off; repeat if necessary.
Note that Windex is a water-based cleaner, so only use it in case of a W-code couch.
Conclusion
No matter which of these tried-and-tested methods you pick, stains will soon be a thing of the past. Just remember to check your couch’s instruction tag prior to any cleaning attempts and don’t use boiling-hot water (if you can at all) to limit the chance of damaging your precious sofa.
FAQ
How do you clean a microfiber couch without leaving water spots?
If your couch isn’t water-safe, you shouldn’t use water-based cleaners at all. Vacuum it, brush it or use cleaning agents like rubbing alcohol and baking soda instead. And in case your sofa is still moist, use a hairdryer to dry it (on the lowest setting possible).
Can you use dish soap on a microfiber couch?
Yes, you can. However, use only the suds that form when you mix the dishwashing soap with water. Scoop up the foam with a sponge, and use circular motions to clean your sofa. Once done, dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe the whole area while regularly cleaning the cloth.
How do you clean a microsuede couch?
Microsuede is actually a type of microfiber. Hence, the same rules apply. How to clean a microfiber couch? Use rubbing alcohol, baking soda, Windex, and suds with gentle circular motions as we’ve outlined in our full guide.
