How to Clean a Microfiber Couch

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Microfiber couches are incredibly comfy and stain-resistant but unfortunately, they don’t hide dirt very well. Although some darker colors help the dirt blend in (hiding it until you’re ready to clean it), lighter shades tend to show every bit of dirt and grime. This is especially troublesome if you have children, pets, or you’re plain old clumsy. It’s important that you learn how to clean a microfiber couch properly because due to the fabric’s unique properties, you won’t be able to treat it like any other couch. So gather up a vacuum with a brush attachment, rubbing alcohol, a clean white sponge, and a clean white brush, and we’ll teach you how to clean a microfiber couch! More…

Although you can often simply remove your cushions’ covers and machine wash them, you will need another method of upholstery cleaning to clean the arms and frame of the sofa. The first thing you should do is check the tag or care manual. Not all microfiber couches can be treated the same way, so it is vital that you read the information that came with the couch when you bought it. If you see a “W” on the tag, that means it is okay to use water.

What’s that? Yes, I said you can only use water if the tag approves it. Strange, I know.

One of the trickiest things about learning how to clean a microfiber couch is dealing with the fact that you can rarely use water, a primary ingredient in most other types of cleaning. Even though they’re stain-resistant, most microfiber couches will be left with a watermark if you try to clean them with water. And even if you get that written go-ahead, use water and cleaning solutions sparingly (never soak or saturate the furniture).

If you can’t find a tag and don’t have a manual, be sure to at least test your planned cleaning method in an inconspicuous spot. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now let’s get to it!

1. Vacuum the couch first to remove all of that loose dirt, dust, and hair. A brush attachment works very well for this.

2. Spray rubbing alcohol on the sullied spots. Rubbing alcohol is a great alternative to water because it evaporates quickly and won’t soak the fabric.

3. Using a white, clean scrub sponge, rub the area with vigor. Although you can use the sponge side, the scrubbing side of the sponge will work best. It is important that the sponge is white so that it won’t transfer any of its color to the fabric. You could also use a sponge that is the same color as your couch. As you work, feel free to check out all the grime building up on the now-dirty side of the sponge, just to see how well the method is working.

4. When all of the dirt and grime is gone, stop and let the couch dry. Since you used rubbing alcohol, it shouldn’t take very long.

5. After all that rough rubbing, you may notice that the microfiber is flattened in certain areas. To fluff it back up again, use a clean brush with soft, white bristles to fluff up those little fibers.

Again, please be sure to do a test patch before you clean your entire couch. This is especially important for couches with dark fabrics, like reds and browns, which may not react well with the rubbing alcohol.

Enjoy your clean couch!