How to Make Microfiber Sofa Cleaner at Home
Contents
What Home Remedy Can I Use to Clean a Microfiber Couch?
Microfiber is a type of fabric made of polyester and nylon and it is commonly used in the making of furniture upholstery, clothing, and rugs. The high fibers in microfiber make its demand higher than its leather, velvet, and suede counterparts. The best thing about microfiber is that it is highly durable and definitely practical and functional especially if you have kids and pets.
With regular weekly vacuuming of your microfiber sofa, it shouldn’t be hard to maintain and keep it looking new and tidy. Plus, there are home remedies that can be used to clean your microfiber couch hence saving you the cost of having a professional cleaner do it at an expensive cost.
So what is the best home remedy for cleaning a microfiber sofa and how does it work? Is it effective and simple to use? Read on to find out.
The best home remedy for cleaning a microfiber couch is a solution of warm water, vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda. Put all these ingredients in a spray bottle and shake gently to mix and form a perfect cleaning solution for your microfiber couch. Spray a generous amount of the solution on your couch and rub with a sponge gently and in a circular motion until all the stain lifts.
However, before cleaning your microfiber couch with any cleaning agent, make sure you check on the manufacturer’s tag to be sure which cleaner is best suitable. You can either use a solvent-based or a water-based cleaner. The tag would state either:
S- only use solvent-based cleaners to clean your microfiber couch
W- use only water-based cleaners
SW- use either solvent or water-based cleaners
X- Use neither solvent nor water-based cleaners, only Dry clean
Knowing which type of cleaner to use will help prevent your microfiber couch from being ruined.
How Do You Make Homemade Microfiber Sofa Cleaners?
Since microfiber couches are usually low maintenance, it’s easier to clean them at home especially if you have been vacuuming them regularly. In this article, we will discuss how to make both water and solvent-based cleaners for your microfiber couch. Read on to know how you can make a homemade microfiber cleaner for your sofa.
Water-based Cleaner for Microfiber Sofas
You can use a water-based detergent to clean your microfiber sofa if it has a “W” or “SW” sign. Here is how you will make a water-based cleaner for your microfiber sofa.
What you will need:
- Warm water
- Dish washing soap
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Spray bottle
Instructions
Follow these steps to make your water-based cleaner
- Put 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle and add ½ cup vinegar. Then shake the bottle gently to mix.
- Add a spoonful of dish washing detergent and shake to mix. Make sure you use a colorless detergent as it is safe and wouldn’t cause discoloration. Also avoid using powdered soap.
- Add a spoonful of baking soda to the solution. Apart from helping to loosen dirt on fabrics, baking soda helps in eliminating odors.
- Shake the spray bottle to mix everything thoroughly to form a water-based solution that is safe for cleaning your microfiber sofa.
If you are washing a whole sofa set, the solution in your spray bottle may not be enough. Therefore, you can mix equal amounts of everything mentioned above in a bucket to make enough cleaner.
Solvent-based Cleaners for Microfiber Sofas
You can use solvent-based cleaners to clean your microfiber sofa only if it has an “S” sign. However, in as much as solvent cleaners are safe for microfiber, you will need to first test it in a small area of your couch (like the Back) just to be sure it doesn’t cause discoloration.
Here is how to make a solvent-based cleaner for your microfiber sofa.
What you will need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- In a spray bottle, put ½ cup of warm water and fill it with rubbing alcohol.
- Shake the spray bottle gently to mix and form a rubbing alcohol solvent solution.
- Spray a generous amount of the solution on your microfiber sofa and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rubbing.
- The longer you let the solution sit, the better.
Rubbing alcohol is the most suitable solvent cleaner to use when cleaning a microfiber sofa. It has a strong smell and that’s why it is advisable to mix with a generous amount of warm water to neutralize the smell. However, you can still use it alone, just make sure the room is properly ventilated. Besides, it still works effectively whether mixed with water or not.
Additionally, the best thing about using rubbing alcohol when cleaning your microfiber sofa is that no water stains will be left behind because rubbing alcohol evaporates immediately.
Please note that besides rubbing alcohol, you can use other solvents like ammonia or vodka. Just make sure you test it first in an inconspicuous area to be certain that it is safe for use on your microfiber sofa.
Caution
- Avoid using fabric softeners on microfiber
- Strictly use the right cleaner by making sure you check on the manufacturers tag on your microfiber
- If your microfiber has an “X” sign, DO NOT use solvent or water based cleaners. Strictly dry clean it.
How to Care for and Maintain Microfiber Sofas
Microfiber is a durable and low-maintenance type of fabric. to make sure your microfiber sofa withstands the test of time:
- Vacuum your couch regularly to eliminate debris and dust that may accumulate overtime. This will also make it easier when it’s time to clean your couch.
- Clean your microfiber couch regularly by using the right cleaner
- Regardless of the cleaner you choose to use to clean your microfiber sofa, make sure you test it first in an inconspicuous area to see how it reacts.
- Avoid using fabric softeners on microfiber, they might weaken the fibers hence hindering its longevity.
- Avoid using colored detergent when cleaning microfiber sofa as it may cause discoloration.
- Only use liquid detergent. DO NOT use powdered soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Microfiber Couch Cleaner?
ForceField fabric cleaner is suitable for cleaning microfiber couches. It is not only best known for eliminating every form of stain including oil but also prevents stains from happening again. Plus, it is also widely used in cleaning clothes and rugs. It is effective and also affordable.
Can you Use Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner on Microfiber?
You can use Woolite Oxy Deep Oxygen-Activated stain remover to eliminate stains on your microfiber couch. Having kids and pets around, I have used it to get rid of coffee and soup stains that would have otherwise ruined the aesthetic of my couch.
I recommended it to my sister who also has 3 kids and she couldn’t wait to thank me for how effective the Woolite cleaner worked for not only her microfiber couch but also her carpet.
Does Windex Clean Microfiber Couches?
You can use Windex to immediately eliminate any form of stain on your couch. To use, just spray a generous amount of Windex on the stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rubbing the stain off with a sponge or a soft bristle brush.
Can you Steam Clean a Microfiber Sofa?
Steam cleaning is the best way to prevent your microfiber sofa from getting ruined. If you are not sure about applying the home remedies of cleaning a microfiber sofa, then be sure that steam cleaning would be the best idea.
This rug doctor upholstery steam cleaner would be the best choice. It is effective as it cleans every surface thoroughly regardless of how dirty it is. it is also priced reasonably making it worth buying.
Conclusion
Unlike other fabric couches, microfiber sofas are low maintenance and can be simply cleaned with water and mild detergent soap. However, to get rid of tough stains and to eliminate odor, be sure to add baking soda, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol depending on what the manufacturer’s tag advises on.
Read also: How to clean microfiber couch covers
