How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
While manufacturers and furniture sales people will tell you that microfiber sofas are virtually stain proof, if you own one you know this is just not true. Microfiber sofas can become quite grubby, especially light-colored furniture. And if you have ever tried to blot a spill with water, you know it just makes everything look worse. What can you do? We’ll share our best tips on how to clean a microfiber couch.
Cleaning Tools Needed:
- A vacuum cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol
- A spray bottle
- Clean, white cloths or sponges
- White, soft bristled brush
Step 1- Thoroughly vacuum the sofa to remove any surface dirt. There is no sense in rubbing surface dirt into the fabric.
Step 2- Located the manufacturer’s fabric care tag and double-check your couch’s fabric. Microfiber is polyester, so it should have a tag that says “S” for solvent. Look for the tag with these codes:
- W means you must use water based cleaning solution.
- S means you must use a “solvent” based cleaner
- S-W means you can use S or W type cleaners
- X means you can vacuum only
Step 3- Test the rubbing alcohol in a hidden or inconspicuous spot. Wait for the fabric to dry and then judge whether or not the cleaning solution has bleached or discolored the fabric. If your microfiber couch does NOT have a tag, you are probably safe treating it like an “s” type, but don’t skip this step.
Step 4- Liberally spray the stained or dirty area with the rubbing alcohol. Don’t be worried about it getting wet, alcohol dries quickly. Rub the stained with a white cloth until the dirt or stains are gone, switching to out to clean cloths as needed. Then, move on to the next stain or area. Pay particular attention to armrests as they get especially grubby. Be sure to use white cloths as colored cloths can transfers colors to your couch.
Step 5- Another problem with microfiber is that the fabric can become stiffed, especially after it becomes wet. After the couch is clean and dry, use the soft bristled brush to gently rub any stiffened areas. This should return the texture to a soft, natural look.
To keep your microfiber couch looking its best, vacuum weekly and use rubbing alcohol to treat spots as needed. If you need professional help, COIT Upholstery Cleaning has you covered.
