Squirt dishwashing soap into a bowl and add water to form suds. Dip your white sponge or cloth in the suds only, not the water. What is this? Use the soap suds to scrub your couch.
General Cleaning
Mix warm tap water and a few drops of household dish detergent into a clean bucket or bowl. Stir gently to create bubbles. Use a clean lint-free cloth dipped into the soapy water mixture and rub gently over the surface of the couch. Apply even pressure and work in a circular motion.
If your couch has wooden, metal, plastic, or other parts that are not covered in fabric, you can easily clean them with a bit of soapy water. Mix a few drops of dish soap in with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and dip a clean cloth into it. Wring out the cloth and use it to wipe the non-fabric parts of your couch.
You can use this cleaning mix on your microfiber if it is safe for water-based cleaners. Simply fill a bucket half full with warm water. Add 2 cups of vinegar and 3 tablespoons of dish soap. Clean your microfiber with this solution using a clean cloth.
Mix a small amount of gentle laundry soap into a bucket of cold water. Dip a clean washcloth into the soapy water and use it to moisten any stained areas of the couch. Continue dipping and blotting until you are sure the stain has gone away. Now take up any excess water with a dry washcloth.
Clean Microfiber Upholstery
But a spritz of Windex can work wonders. Simply spray the surface lightly—careful not to soak the fibers—then brush very gently with a soft-bristled scrub brush, working in the same direction. Tough stains might require a second application.
You tried to clean it with soap and water and found that it made the couch look even worse – and covered with dried water rings. Not to worry – you can make your stained microfiber couch look new again by using rubbing alcohol, some white sponges and a plastic white-bristled brush.
However, microfiber is not miraculous; while it repels water easily, the fabric is not immune to stains, and most microfiber can't be cleaned with soap and water. So, when it's time to start cleaning microfiber couch cushions, turn to this handy guide to learn how to make your microfiber couch look new again.
Cleaning With Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol evaporates faster than water, though, and doesn't leave water stains. To use it, spray it on the fabric with a spray bottle and scrub the stains with a sponge; be sure any scrubbing implements you use are white to avoid transferring color to the fabric.
For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts.
Mix together the dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray on upholstery and let sit for a minute or two. Next, scrub lightly until the stain is gone with a microfiber cloth or old rag.
For deep cleaning a microfiber sofa, chair, or other furniture we recommend a machine such as the Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Compact Deep Cleaner with its spray cleaner and strong suction. For best results, clean spills as soon as possible after they happen.
Blot oil-based stains and spills, then sprinkle on a microfiber cleaning product, cornstarch or a dry detergent and allow the cleaner to soak up the oil. Add a small amount of dish-washing soap to a toothbrush and tap in the soap. Let it sit for five minutes and wipe off with a wet rag. Repeat until the stain is gone.
You can take a set of kitchen stools, dining room chairs, or even a whole couch and ottoman from a patchwork of stains and water spots to something showroom fresh in under an hour with Windex and a brush.
Couches with a W or W-S care tag can be cleaned with soap and water. Water will stain the couches with a S care tag so they must be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Both types of microfiber suede should be vacuumed weekly to remove loose soil, have stains treated promptly, and thoroughly cleaned at least twice a year.
Steps to Clean a Faux Suede Couch
Most faux suede couches and sofas can be cleaned with water-based cleaners, however, it's important to check the label to ensure that the couch does, indeed, have a 'W' or W-S' cleaning code.
Remove Upholstery Stains
Fill to line 1 per 16 ounces of water. Remove excess stains before treating. Do not apply solution directly on the upholstery stain. Apply with clean white towel and use towel to blot out stain on furniture.
For this solution, you're going to need rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and clean water. We suggest mixing it in a spray bottle for easy application. Mix 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and about 1 cup of water. Make sure to give it a good shake before applying it to your upholstery.
To get rid of smell in couch, sprinkle baking soda generously on cushions, in crevices, and especially on areas with a stain. Give the baking soda some time to work –about an hour or so — then vacuum up the remains.
Mix together two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part dish soap and apply to the stain. Allow it to sit for five minutes, then gently blot with a cool, damp cloth.
Peroxide will really breakdown stains on upholstery, so it is a great option for homemade solutions. Keep in mind, hydrogen peroxide does whiten whites (usually mixed with other ingredients), but it very rarely discolors colored fabrics.