How To Clean Microfiber Couch [6 Effective Ways]

Microfiber sofas can be tough to clean because microfiber is usually made from polyester or a polyester blend and is susceptible to watermarks. Polyester is oleophilic (it has a strong affinity for oils). This is why frequently used parts of the couch quickly start to look soiled. Keep reading for my six tips on how to clean microfiber couch, including how to clean microfiber with Windex, vinegar, or baking soda.

Table Of Contents

• Cleaning Codes
• Materials You’ll Need To Clean Your Microfiber Couch
• Warning
• 6 Methods To Clean A Microfiber Couch
  • Method #1: Dry Brush
  • Method #2: Soap And Water
  • Method #3: How To Clean Microfiber Sofa With Rubbing Alcohol?
  • Method #4: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Windex?
  • Method #5: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Vinegar?
  • Method #6: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Baking Soda?
• How To Remove Stains From A Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Gum From Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Water Stain From Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Grease From Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Vomit From Microfiber Couch?
  • How Do You Get Ink Out Of A Microfiber Couch?
  • How Do You Get Milk Stains Out Of A Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Dog Slobber From Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Remove Play-Doh From Microfiber Couch?
• How To Get Smells Out Of Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Get Urine Smell Out Of Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Get Cat Pee Out Of Microfiber Couch?
  • How To Get Poop Smell Out Of Microfiber Couch?
• FAQs
  • How Often To Clean A Microfiber Couch?
  • Can You Use Baby Wipes On Microfiber Couch?
  • Microfiber Couch Looks Shiny: How To Fix?
  • How To Clean Microfiber Couch With Carpet Cleaner?
  • Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe For Microfiber Couch?

Cleaning Codes

You can’t wash all microfiber the same way, so it’s essential to look for the cleaning code tag under the couch cushions. Here’s what the codes mean:

• W = you can use water.
• S = you can’t use water (use a solvent like rubbing alcohol instead).
• S-W = you can use either water or a solvent.
• X = Avoid all cleaning agents; you can vacuum or dry brush this fabric, but you need a professional for further cleaning.

Materials You’ll Need To Clean Your Microfiber Couch

• Vacuum with crevice and upholstery tools
• Spray bottle
• Clean, white cloths
• Soft-bristled brush or sponge
• 2 buckets or large bowls
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Baking soda (optional)
• Upholstery brush (optional)
• Whisk (optional)
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Ice cubes (optional)

Warning

Before using any cleaner on your couch, it’s a good idea to test it in an inconspicuous area of your couch. If it doesn’t discolor the fabric, you’re good to go.

6 Methods To Clean A Microfiber Couch

Method #1: Dry Brush

If your couch has an X care label, you can’t wash it yourself, but here’s how you can vacuum or dry brush it:

• Vacuum the sofa (use the crevice attachment if you have one to get into the corners).
• Use a soft-bristle brush to fluff up any fibers that have gotten matted from people sitting on them.

Method #2: Soap And Water

1. Vacuum the entire sofa, including underneath the cushions, and make sure to get the seams and corners, which can attract dust and dirt.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap with four cups of lukewarm water in a bowl. Use a whisk (or fork) to whip up soap suds. Fill another bowl with clear water.
3. Get soap suds on your sponge or scrubbing brush and spread the suds evenly across the whole surface of the sofa. Start at the top, so dirty suds don’t drip down onto areas you’ve already cleaned. Rinse the sponge or brush as you work while ensuring it’s as dry as possible (you don’t want to get the upholstery sopping wet).
4. Get a cloth a bit damp with clean water and wipe down the areas you just cleaned.
5. Let the upholstery air dry, and (if desired) fluff up any matted fibers.

Method #3: How To Clean Microfiber Sofa With Rubbing Alcohol?

You can use rubbing alcohol on an “S” code sofa by following these steps:

1. While vacuuming the couch, don’t forget the corners and upholstery seams.
2. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and lightly spray the upholstery. Start at the top and work your way down.
3. While the fabric is still damp, use a white cloth, soft-bristled brush, or sponge to gently dab the fabric.
4. Rinse the cloth, brush, or sponge in plain water and wipe down the fabric.
5. Let the fabric dry and, optionally, fluff matted fibers.

Method #4: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Windex?

Here’s how to clean a microfiber couch with Windex:

• Spray the fabric. Get the fabric damp (not soaked). Work section by section, spraying the entire section, so you don’t get water spots at the edges of a wet area. Clean the sofa’s entire surface.
• Brush the upholstery in a single direction (e.g., top to bottom or left to right). Repeat the process, this time in the opposite direction.
• Let the fabric dry. You can open a window or point a fan at the fabric to quicken the process.

Method #5: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Vinegar?

In a spray bottle, mix one part vinegar with two parts water. Then, spray your sofa, leave it for 10 minutes, and wipe the mixture away with a damp cloth.

Method #6: How To Clean A Microfiber Couch With Baking Soda?

Make a paste by mixing equal amounts of baking soda and water. Then, apply the paste to the stained area with a soft-bristled brush. Let the paste dry, then start vacuuming it up.

How To Remove Stains From A Microfiber Couch?

How To Remove Gum From Microfiber Couch?

Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and put the bag on the gum. Once the cold has hardened the gum, use your fingernail or a knife’s dull side to scrape it off. Refreeze the gum as you work if you need to. If needed, spot-treat with soap suds or rubbing alcohol (as described earlier in this article).

How To Remove Water Stain From Microfiber Couch?

Use baby wipes to dampen the water-stained area, then scrub with a dry cloth as you blow dry the area with a hairdryer. Might sound strange, but it works! It might take two or three tries.

How To Remove Grease From Microfiber Couch?

Sprinkle cornstarch onto the grease or oil stain and use a toothbrush to work it into the stained fabric. Let sit for an hour, then vacuum. Repeat as necessary. Finally, spot-treat the area with soap suds or rubbing alcohol.

How To Remove Vomit From Microfiber Couch?

Here’s how to remove vomit stains and odors:

1. Mix one part vinegar and one part hot water in a spray bottle. Add a little detergent if you think the vomit will be hard to get out.
2. Spray the fabric with the vinegar-water mix.
3. Scrub the surface with a clean cloth or soft brush.
4. Dab the area with a clean cloth and plain water to rinse.
5. Let the surface dry. 
6. Cover the area with baking soda to continue treating the smell.
7. Leave it overnight to dry.
8. The next day, vacuum the sofa.

How Do You Get Ink Out Of A Microfiber Couch?

To get a pen or ink stain out, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the stain with the cloth. Work from the outside of the stain in. As the cloth gets stained with ink, move to a fresh part of the cloth. Let the fabric dry.

How Do You Get Milk Stains Out Of A Microfiber Couch?

Mix two cups of lukewarm water, a few drops of mild soap, and a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Dampen a cloth with the solution and dab the stain. Dab with a cloth and cold water to lift the soap and vinegar.

How To Remove Dog Slobber From Microfiber Couch?

To remove dog drool from a microfiber sofa, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, spray the fabric, gently dab with a cloth, and let it dry.

How To Remove Play-Doh From Microfiber Couch?

To get rid of play-doh, first, let it dry on your sofa, so it doesn’t smear when you try to get rid of it. Next, follow these steps:

1. Use a butter knife to gently scrape the play-doh off the couch fabric.
2. Vacuum the Play-Doh off the couch
3. Mix a few drops of dish soap with cold water, get a cloth damp with it, and then blot the fabric.
4. Next, apply fabric stain remover to the same spot.
5. Let the upholstery dry.

How To Get Smells Out Of Microfiber Couch?

How To Get Urine Smell Out Of Microfiber Couch?

Here’s how to get urine out:

1. Dab the urine with paper towels (don’t wipe it).
2. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the couch with the solution and let it sit for 10 minutes.
4. Dab the urine-stained area with a soft cloth.
5. Let the fabric dry.
6. Once the sofa is dry, scatter baking soda onto the area. Leave it overnight.
7. Vacuum up the baking soda residue.

How To Get Cat Pee Out Of Microfiber Couch?

Here’s how to get cat pee out:

1. Dab (don’t wipe) the urine with paper towels.
2. First, spray a mix of one part white vinegar and one part water on the affected area.
3. Dab with a towel.
4. Let the upholstery dry.
5. Sprinkle baking soda onto the area and let sit overnight.
6. Vacuum up the baking soda remnants.
7. If the cat-urine smell is still there, try an enzyme cleaner formulated for pet pee and follow the instructions on the bottle.
8. You can also steam-clean your sofa if you want a chemical-free way to eliminate the urine smell.

How To Get Poop Smell Out Of Microfiber Couch?

To get poop out of microfiber, follow these steps:

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cool water.
2. Use a cloth to blot the stain with the cleaning solution.
3. Repeat until the stain is gone.
4. If the stain is still there, use an eyedropper to apply a drop of hydrogen peroxide followed by a drop of ammonia.
5. Use a cloth to dab the area with cold, plain water.
6. Let dry.

FAQs

Can You Use Baby Wipes On Microfiber Couch?

Yes, you can use baby wipes on microfiber upholstery. Working in small sections, saturate the stain with baby wipes. Then, blot the spot with a cloth while blow drying with a hair dryer at the same time. (Don’t let it dry.)