While looking pleasant and one of the most affordable and durable choices, microfiber can also get stained and soiled easily. It is prone to watermarks and can look unappealing when a couch or chair comes across oil or dirt from your hands or even your hair.
However, with the right solution, you can clean a microfiber couch like a pro at your home. In this guide, we will walk you through a step-by-step process for cleaning a microfiber couch and leaving it fresh as new.
6 Steps to Clean a Microfiber Couch at Home
1. Identify the Care Label
Before you head on to clean a microfiber couch, it is essential to identify the care label it has. It will allow you to understand the method you use is aligned with its instructions. Some code examples are:
- W: Only use a water-based cleaner
- S: Only use a solvent-based cleaner
- S-W: You can use either one of two: water-based or solvent-based
- X: Only Dry Cleaning such as vacuuming
2. Gather the materials
Start with gathering all the tools and cleaning solutions you will need for the cleaning process.
- Vacuum Cleaner with crevice and upholstery attachments
- Spray bottle
- Soft-bristle brush, sponge, and cleaning cloth
- Liquid dishwashing shop, rubbing alcohol, Baking Soda (either one)
- Water and bowls
3. Vacuum the Couch
Once you have all the essentials, start vacuuming the microfiber couch to remove loose dirt, debris, and other contaminants. It will help you clean the couch easily with solution afterward. Use crevices and other upholstery cleaning attachments to effectively lift the dirt.
4. Apply the Cleaning Solution
After vacuuming, prepare the homemade solution to spot-clean the couch. We have mentioned some of the options you can try.
- Warm Water And Dishwashing Soap: Take a bowl filled with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to form a soapy solution. Apply this solution to the stains on the microfiber couch.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Fill the spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray it on the stains like ink or dye.
- Baking Soda: If you have grease or lingering odors from pet stains, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and then vacuum it.
Caution: For rubbing alcohol or dishwashing soap, test them on the inconspicuous area of the sofa to identify their adverse effects.
5. Scrub the Fabric Gently
Scrub the stains with a soft-bristle brush or sponge to lift them. Start from the top and work your way down to prevent dirty suds from dripping on cleaned areas. Rinse the brush or a sponge frequently with clean water to ensure it is not too soapy, preventing residue buildup.
6. Rinse, Blot and Fluff
Once clean, dampen the microfiber cloth in plain water and wipe down the area. Allow it to air-dry or use a fan and dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying. Once dried, use a vacuum cleaner to fluff up the fibers, making the couch look clean, tidy, and appealing again.
Tips to Keep Microfiber Couch Clean
- Spot-clean spills immediately as soon as they occur to avoid stains.
- Ensure you mind care labels such as “S” or “X” and do’s and don’ts from professional cleaners to prevent harm using the wrong cleaning techniques.
- Keep spot cleaning solutions handy to immediately treat stains such as rubbing alcohol.
- Implement a “no food or drink on the couch” policy to avoid spills on the sofa.
- Let the couch air dry before using it to prevent resoling.
Let Professional Upholstery Cleaning Experts Help
With the mentioned steps, including understanding the care codes, vacuuming before spot cleaning, spot cleaning using solutions, and allowing the couch to air-dry, you can clean a microfiber couch like a pro at home.
However, we recommend scheduling professional upholstery cleaning once or twice a year to ensure your microfiber couch stays in good condition for years. At Los Angeles Steam Clean, we have a team of experts who are skilled and certified to clean any upholstery with care and precision.
We enhance your upholstered furniture using proven cleaning techniques and effective solutions to restore the charm of your beloved upholstery.
Let us help you regain the beauty your couch or chair lost!