best way to clean microfiber upholstery

Spot-clean microfiber as soon as spills occur. Microfiber couches look like suede, but the fabric is actually made of polyester and nylon fibers 100 times thinner than a human hair. Cleaning this space-age material can be a bit tricky, because microfiber is prone to watermarks. However, cleaning with solvents or laundering cushion covers gets the dirt out without the unsightly spots. Vacuuming and Brushing The tight knit of densely packed microfibers helps keep dirt and allergens from penetrating the fabric, but that doesn't mean you don't need to vacuum microfiber furniture regularly. Keep your microfiber couch looking good with weekly vacuuming -- you can't grind in dirt that isn't there. Use a bristled upholstery attachment to remove dirt and brush the nap of the microfiber at the same time, which helps keep it feeling soft. If you prefer to brush microfiber on the days you don't vacuum, use a soft, nylon-bristled scrub brush. Rubbing Alcohol Although microfiber is designed to repel water, tending to spills quickly helps prevent telltale watermarks from forming.

Blot liquid from your microfiber couch with a plain white cloth, pressing the cloth down and lifting straight up rather than rubbing. To get rid of stains and watermarks, fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol, spritz the stain lightly and rub with a white or natural-colored sponge. Allow the alcohol to air dry or speed up the process with a blow dryer on the cool setting. After drying, brush the spot with a dry, nylon-bristled scrub brush. Soap Suds If your microfiber couch is water-safe, scrub it down with soap suds. Add a generous squirt of dishwashing liquid to a large bowl and fill it with warm water to make suds. Dip a clean white cloth or dye-free sponge into the suds, avoiding the water, and gently rub the couch in a circular motion. Blot the suds away with a dry white cloth. Work in sections to keep the couch from absorbing too much water. After scrubbing down the whole couch, brush it with a nylon-bristled scrub brush to blend and soften the nap of the fabric. Considerations Before cleaning your microfiber couch, read its care instruction tag.

Never use bleach, acetone, carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner on microfiber couches. If you are unsure about cleaning your couch yourself, schedule a consultation with a professional furniture-cleaning service. References Journal Sentinel Online: How to Clean Microfiber FurnitureThe Ohio State University: Microfibers: Functional BeautyMrs Clean: Cleaning Microfiber FurnitureAll Pro: Upholstery Cleaning Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionEdit ArticleHow to Clean a Microfiber Upholstered Sofa One of the biggest selling points of microfiber is the ease with which it can be cleaned. Read this wikiHow to learn how to clean your microfiber-upholstered sofa. 1. Vacuum the entire sofa with the fabric attachment. 2. Scrub any stains with a clean, dry brush. 3. Check the sofa tag for care instructions. 4. Find an appropriate cleaning solution based on the care tag. 5. Spot-clean the stains using the solution and a clean cloth. 6. Brush the treated areas again with a clean, dry brush.

Vacuum the sofa thoroughly to remove dust and loose debris. Scrub any stains with a clean, dry brush. Remove the seat cushions, back cushions and loose pillows. Check the sofa tag for care instructions. Microfiber furniture is typically labeled with one of four codes to indicate what can be used to clean it: W is for a water-based cleaning solvent, S is for a water-free solvent, S/W is for either, and X is for neither (i.e. vacuum-only). If your sofa is labeled with an X, your work is done; resist the temptation to use any cleaning solutions, which can stain, spot, or shrink the fabric. Find an appropriate cleaning solution. Test the solution in an inconspicuous place.Apply a small amount of your cleaning solution directly to the stain, making sure not to over-saturate the fabric. Of course, certain spills respond better to certain cleaning techniques. Provided that your fabric can handle it, try the following: Apply rubbing alcohol to ink stains and watermarks.

Place a paper towel or terry cloth over spilled wax and quickly run a hot iron over it. Ice chewing gum until it hardens, then peel it off; alternatively, rub butter on it, peel it off, and remove the grease with soapy water. Apply baking soda and water to smells, let the fabric dry, and then vacuum. For a very dirty sofa with a removable W or SW cover, run the whole thing through the laundry machine on a delicate cycle with a gentle detergent that you’ve already spot-tested. Blow-dry wet spots if necessary. Brush the treated areas with a clean, dry brush. Spot-clean any future stains as they appear to keep your sofa looking its best. Since microfiber is somewhat water-resistant, water-based spills should be relatively easy to remove before they set. Simply dab them with an absorbent paper towel or cloth; do not rub fresh spills or you will press them deeper into the fibers. Make cleaning your sofa a part of your regular cleaning cycle.Cleaning TipshowPopular CleaningCleaning CheatsCleaning WeedingCleaning SofasCleaning FurnitureCleaning GuidesCleaning ClosetCleaning GeniusForwardMany people love cleaning cheats like this and this is one of the best.