How to Care for a Microfiber Couch

Microfiber has become a popular furniture fabric. It is durable, requires little maintenance and comes in a variety of colors and styles. The fabric is much easier to maintain and clean than traditional fabrics. Learn to clean and care for your microfiber couch in case of the occasional spill or stain, and for long-term maintenance.

Instructions

Cleaning a Water-Safe Microfiber Couch

1. Determine if the microfiber fabric on your couch is water safe. Cleaning non-water safe couches with liquids will leave a water mark on the fabric. Read the couch label, warranty or owners manual, or ask the furniture store where you purchased the couch.

2. Test a small, inconspicuous spot on the couch to see if it stains when treated.

3. Vacuum your microfiber couch with a soft-bristle vacuum attachment to remove dust.

4. Clean your microfiber couch with a mild detergent, such as dish washing liquid or liquid laundry detergent. Make sure the liquid does not contain bleach. Mix the detergent with a small amount of cold water before applying it to your microfiber couch.

5. Eliminate odors with white vinegar, distilled water and baking soda. Blot a mixture of vinegar and water on the area to be treated. Apply the mixture with the baking soda to the couch with a sponge. Work in small sections at a time, and wring out the sponge to remove excess water before applying the mixture to the couch. The sponge should be damp, not wet.

6. Air dry your couch, or dry it with a hair dryer. Brush out the dry fabric with a clean nail brush to restore texture to your microfiber couch.

Cleaning a Non-Water Safe Microfiber Couch

1. Verify that your microfiber couch cannot be cleaned with water. Read your owners manual, contact your furniture dealer or check the product tag.

2. Vacuum dust off of the couch with a soft-bristle attachment.

3. Test the couch for color fastness by applying some detergent in a small, inconspicuous place.

4. Use mild, powder laundry detergent to clean your microfiber couch. Brush the detergent into the couch in sections

5. Vacuum the detergent off of your microfiber couch.

Stain-Removal Methods

1. Purchase a stain-removal product made especially for microfiber fabric from your furniture dealer.

2. Spray Lysol on the stain and blot it with a dry cloth or sponge.

3. Create a paste of water and baking soda and apply it to the stain. Let the mixture dry and wipe it off.

4. When in doubt, call a professional furniture cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a dry-cleaning solution rather than dry detergent. To prevent stains, immediately clean up any spills on your couch. Vacuum your microfiber couch regularly to prevent dirt build-up and stains. Only use soft-brush attachments on microfiber couches, or the fabric may stretch and pull

• Do not use any products containing bleach to clean your microfiber couch. Do not paint your nails or use nail polish remover on your microfiber couch. Do not use home carpet or spot cleaning appliances on your microfiber couch.

References

• Cleaning a Microfiber Couch
• Microfiber Stains
• Microfiber Care