Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Water
Rubbing Alcohol or Commercial Upholstery Cleaner
Dish Soap
Spray-On Fabric Protector

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Clean Your Microfiber Couch in 8 Easy Steps

Microfiber is a soft, affordable and versatile material, making it a great fabric choice for couches and other types of furniture. However, microfiber is still susceptible to dirt and stains.

Fortunately, it’s easy to clean microfiber once you know how to do it. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to clean a microfiber couch.

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You’ll need a vacuum cleaner to clean crumbs and dirt from the exterior of your microfiber couch. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has upholstery attachments so you can access every crevice of your couch.

You’ll also need a bucket of water, an upholstery cleaner, a soft-bristled cleaning brush and microfiber cleaning cloths to clean up visible stains and grime. A spray-on fabric protector will help protect your microfiber couch from further staining and will keep it looking new for as long as possible.

Every microfiber couch should come with a care tag. The care tag has a code on it that specifies the type of cleaning solution you can safely use on the couch. Here are the common cleaning codes and what they mean.

S: Only use solvent-based cleaners.

W: Only use water-based cleaners.

X: Don’t use solvent-based or water-based cleaners. Only vacuum or dry brush.

SW or WS: Use solvent-based or water-based cleaners.

Good to Know

If your couch doesn’t have a care tag, you can most likely use a solvent-based cleaner. To avoid damaging the fabric, make sure you follow Step 5 and test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the couch first.

If you’re using a solvent-based commercial upholstery cleaner, you probably don’t need to do much in terms of preparation. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you need to dilute the cleaner first or if you can apply it directly to the couch.

If you’re using a water-based dish soap solution, prepare it in a bucket before you begin cleaning. Use 1/4 cup of dish soap for every 4 cups of warm water in the bucket. Swish the cleaning solution around with your hand or a wooden spoon to create a lot of soapy bubbles.

Before using any cleaner on your entire microfiber couch, test it on an inconspicuous area of the couch first. To do this, spray or apply a small amount of your selected cleaner on the bottom or lower-back portion of your couch. Only spray a small area of the couch fabric with the cleaning solution.

Wait a few seconds before lightly blotting the test spot with a microfiber cloth to see if there’s any color transfer from the couch fabric to the cloth. If there is, don’t use the cleaner on any other part of your couch. If there’s no color transfer, observe the spot you treated until it dries. If there’s no indication that the fabric in the tested spot has faded, you can confidently use the same cleaning product on the remainder of your couch.

Clean the remainder of your couch in sections. Apply the cleaner you previously tested to one cushion and then use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the cushion in a circular motion. Use a clean microfiber cloth to carefully blot the area and remove any excess cleaning solution. If you’re using soapy water to clean the couch, replace it regularly to ensure you’re always working with clean water.

Repeat this process one section at a time until you’ve cleaned the entire couch. Finish the cleaning process by saturating a clean microfiber cloth with clean water and using it to wipe down the entire couch.

A bottle of Scotchgard Sun and Water Shield.

To make your microfiber couch waterproof and protect it from future stains, apply a fabric protector after each cleaning. Test the product on the underside or lower back of the couch before use. After spraying the test area, use a microfiber cloth to test for color fastness. If any color wipes off, don’t use the fabric protector on the remainder of the couch.

If the color doesn’t wipe off on the cloth, spray the fabric protector on the remainder of the couch according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the product to fully dry before using the couch.

How Often Should You Clean a Microfiber Couch?

It may not take long for your microfiber couch to start looking a little dirty, especially if you have pets or young kids. To keep your couch looking fresh and attractive, clean it at least once every few months. If your couch gets heavy use, clean it once a month to keep it looking neat and new for as long as possible.

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Cleaning

How to Clean a Microfiber Couch