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Microfiber is the material of the future for furniture manufacturing. This synthetic fiber made mostly of polyester offers a much higher liquid absorption capacity than that of cotton, in addition to being much more resistant than other materials. This is why it has become the favorite choice of many furniture manufacturers. However, contrary to popular belief, microfiber also gets dirty, but it 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 have probably bought microfiber furniture under the premise that it will not get stained. Actually, this is a half-truth; microfiber furniture can get dirty like any other material, but it is very easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about stains.
Due to the long life cycle of microfiber, it is natural that you want to keep it clean at all times, after all, you are not going to dispose of such furniture for a long time. To make cleaning work much easier, try the tips below.
How do you clean microfiber furniture?
Image source: Hofmann Design Build, Inc.
Despite being an easy material to clean, you should take some precautions depending on your furniture. On one side of your sofa, or in some hidden area, you will likely find a label with the manufacturer’s instructions. In it, you will get the suggested methods to clean the microfiber.
Depending on the letters on the label, the microfiber may be cleaned with:
- W: using a water-based cleaner.
- S: a cleaner that includes a solvent in its composition.
- SW: any of the above options.
- X: only with a vacuum cleaner, avoiding the use of any type of liquid solution.
In general, all microfibers can be cleaned using solvents, such as alcohol. Regardless of this, you should always consider the following features about how to clean microfiber furniture:
- Although you can use solvents, surface stains can easily be removed using 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 cleaning it. To get it back, you must first wait for the area to dry naturally, and then brush the area with a soft bristle brush.
- Always clean the microfiber using circular movements to avoid creating stains.
- As soon as a stain occurs, proceed to clean it. Stains with a long time will be strongly attached to the microfiber, so they may require the use of 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 will use to clean the microfiber since some furniture can suffer damage from solvents.
For 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 does not lose color, then you can continue cleaning.
How to decide between water-based or solvent-based cleaners
Image source: EC Trethewey Building Contractors, Inc.
You may be wondering, what is the best way to clean microfiber furniture? The answer, however, will depend on the way the furniture was made. Don’t think that using water is the safest way to clean microfiber. Some furniture can be seriously damaged if water-based cleaners are used.
It is best to avoid unnecessary risks and clean the furniture using a vacuum cleaner or a brush. Only use a water-based cleaning product if you found the label with the cleaning instructions and it says you can use them.
There are many water-based cleaners on the market for different purposes, and they all work to clean microfiber. An inexpensive alternative to commercial cleaners is to simply use warm water with soap.
Although this is the best possible cleaning option, unfortunately, it is not the standard, so most of the time you will have to use a solvent cleaner.
If you don’t find the manufacturer’s label, or if it’s not specific enough, then consider that you can’t use a water-based cleaner for cleaning. The reason is that water leaves stains on some microfibers because it is specially designed to absorb it.
How to clean microfiber furniture using brushes and vacuum cleaner
Microfiber, unlike other textile materials, has almost no spaces through which dirt can penetrate, so it is very rare for the dust to accumulate in this type of furniture. However, this does not mean that you should not regularly vacuum them.
Most solid waste should be easily removed with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner. Just keep in mind that both methods will remove the microfiber’s texture, so you will have to restore it later using a brush.
In any case, it is always good to keep pets away from the sofa, not only because of the hair they can leave, but to avoid getting their claws in and breaking the material.
If you prefer not to use the vacuum cleaner to clean your microfiber furniture, then use a brush with nylon bristles. This will allow you to clean and maintain the microfiber’s texture at the same time.
With a brush, you can clean recent stains on the microfiber without the need for liquid cleaners. Just be sure to always rub in a circular motion from the outside to the inside, and very gently so as not to damage the material.
How to clean microfiber furniture using soap and water
As we mentioned previously, if you wish to protect your microfiber couch, it is best to avoid using water for cleaning unless you are sure you can use it.
In case you are allowed, then you will simply have to use a mixture of soapy water and rub it on the sofa. You can even use a dishwashing detergent, and it is best to mix it with warm water, as hot water can harm microfiber.
Lightly soak a sponge and gently rub the sofa. Clean small sections to avoid excessively moistening the furniture, if necessary dry it using a hairdryer. Let the dryer blow cold air, never hot. Finish the process with a nylon brush to recover the microfiber’s texture.
Cleaning microfiber couch with rubbing alcohol
The best solvent that can be used to clean your microfiber furniture is alcohol. Not only is this a substance you probably have in your home for emergencies, but it also dries quickly, avoiding 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; put it into an atomizer and spray just enough to cover the stain you want to clean.
To rub the alcohol, use a colorless sponge, or else it could leave a stain 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 finish, use a soft-bristled brush to recover the microfiber’s texture. It can be a brush for upholstery or nylon.
The secret weapon for cleaning
The last thing you need to know about how to clean microfiber furniture is that this material can be cleaned with a miracle product: baby wipes.
They are perfect for cleaning stains, and will not leave moisture stains on your couch when finished.
If you want to keep your microfiber furniture even longer, always have a fabric spray at hand. This will create a protective layer on the furniture that will prevent most stains.
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