How to clean microfiber furniture to make it look new

Microfiber is the material of the future for furniture manufacturing. This synthetic fiber, which is mainly made of polyester, offers a much higher liquid absorption capacity than cotton and is also much more resistant than other materials. For this reason, it has become the preferred choice for many furniture manufacturers. Contrary to popular belief, microfiber also pollutes, but is much easier to clean. If you want to know how to clean microfiber furniture to restore its original charm, keep reading this guide.

You probably bought microfiber furniture provided they don’t get stained. It’s actually half the truth; Microfiber furniture can get dirty like any other material, but is very easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about stains.

Due to the long life cycle of microfibers, it goes without saying that you want to keep them clean at all times, after all, you will not dispose of such furniture for long. Try the following tips to make cleaning easier.

How do you clean microfiber furniture?

Image source: Hofmann Design Build, Inc.

Although it is an easy-to-clean material, you should take some precautions depending on the furniture. On one side of your sofa or in a hidden area you will likely find a label with the manufacturer’s instructions. It contains the suggested methods for cleaning the microfiber.

Depending on the letters on the label, the microfiber can be cleaned with:

• W: with a water-based cleaner.
• S: a cleaner containing a solvent in its composition.
• SW: one of the above options.
• X: Only with a vacuum cleaner, avoiding the use of any kind of liquid solution.

In general, all microfibers can be cleaned with solvents such as alcohol. Regardless, when cleaning microfiber furniture, you should always consider the following features:

• Although you can use solvents, surface stains can be easily removed with soap and water as long as your furniture resists the use of water.

• It is normal for the microfiber to lose its original texture when cleaned. To get it back, you must first wait for the area to dry naturally and then brush the area with a soft brush.
• Always clean the microfiber with a circular motion to avoid stains.
• As soon as a stain appears, clean it. Stains with a long time adhere strongly to the microfiber, so it may be necessary to use a cleaning machine.
• If you are not sure how to clean the furniture, ask a professional.

It is advisable to test the product that you use to clean the microfiber, as some furniture can be damaged by solvents.

To do this, apply the solution to a small area in a corner or a hidden area and then dry it to see the result. If it doesn’t lose color, you can continue cleaning.

How to choose between water or solvent based cleaners

Image source: EC Trethewey Contractor, Inc.

You may be wondering how best to clean microfiber furniture? However, the answer depends on the way the furniture is made. Don’t think that using water is the safest way to clean microfiber. Some furniture can be seriously damaged if water-based cleaning agents are used.

Avoid unnecessary risks and clean the furniture with a vacuum cleaner or a brush. Only use a water-based cleaning agent if you have found the label with the cleaning instructions and indicate that you can use it.

There are many water-based cleaners on the market for various purposes, and they all work to clean microfibers. An inexpensive alternative to commercially available cleaning agents is simply to use warm water with soap.

Unfortunately, while this is the best possible cleaning option, it isn’t the standard, so you’ll need to use a solvent cleaner most of the time.

If you cannot find the manufacturer’s label or if it is not specific enough, you cannot use a water-based cleaner to clean it. The reason for this is that water stains some microfibers because it is specifically designed to absorb them.

How to clean microfiber furniture with brushes and vacuum cleaners

In contrast to other textile materials, microfiber has almost no spaces through which dirt can penetrate, so that dust rarely collects in this type of furniture. However, this does not mean that you should not vacuum them regularly.

Most solid waste should be easy to remove with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner. Keep in mind that both methods remove the texture of the microfiber, so you’ll need to restore it later with a brush.

In any case, it’s always good to keep pets away from the sofa, not only because of the hair they can leave behind, but also to prevent their claws from penetrating and breaking the material.

If you don’t want to use the vacuum cleaner to clean your microfiber furniture, use a brush with nylon bristles. In this way you can simultaneously clean and maintain the texture of the microfiber.

With a brush, you can remove the last stains on the microfiber without the need for liquid detergents. Always rub in a circular motion from the outside in and very carefully so as not to damage the material.

How to clean microfiber furniture with soap and water

As mentioned earlier, to protect your microfiber couch, you should avoid using water for cleaning unless you are sure you can use it.

If you are allowed, you just have to use a mixture of soapy water and rub it on the sofa. You can even use a dish soap. It is best to mix it with warm water, as hot water can damage the microfiber.

Soak a sponge and rub the sofa gently. Clean small parts to avoid excessive dampening of the furniture. If necessary, dry them with a hairdryer. Let the dryer blow cold air, never hot. Finish with a nylon brush to restore the texture of the microfiber.

Clean the microfiber couch with alcohol

The best solvent you can use to clean your microfiber furniture is alcohol. Not only is this a substance you are likely to have in your home for emergencies, it also dries quickly and prevents stains on the microfiber.

If you don’t have alcohol, you can use vodka or gin as a substitute. Never apply the solution directly to the couch. Place it in an atomizer and spray just enough to cover the stain you want to clean.

Use a colorless sponge to rub the alcohol, otherwise stains may appear on the sofa.

If the stain does not come out, repeat the process once the alcohol has dried. You can repeat the process as many times as necessary.

When you’re done, use a brush with soft bristles to restore the texture of the microfiber. It can be a brush for upholstery or nylon.

The secret weapon for cleaning

The last thing you need to know about cleaning microfiber furniture is that this material can be cleaned with a miracle product: baby wipes.

They are perfect for cleaning stains and don’t leave moisture stains on your couch when you’re done.

If you want to keep your microfiber furniture for longer, always have a fabric spray ready. This creates a protective layer on the furniture that prevents most stains.

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