Brush the fabric to soften it in areas where it has dried stiff. Brush the entire couch in multiple directions to make the nap stand up. Because microfiber often resembles the look of suede or brushed leather, dry-brushing it returns the like-new look to your couch again.
Refresh the Nap
Use a soft-bristle brush and rub it over the fabric in circular motions to refresh the texture of the microfiber.
Fluffing the Fabric
Cleaning microfiber leaves it feeling stiff to the touch. To fix this, gently rub the stiff fibers with a soft scrub brush or the scrubby side of a clean kitchen sponge. This will fluff up the fabric and leave your sofa looking and feeling as good as new.
Clean your microfiber couch regularly with a quick vacuum, using your vacuum's upholstery attachment. You can also use a stiff fabric brush ($10, Amazon) to loosen dirt and restore the fabric. Do your best to keep the surface free of crumbs, dust, and anything that might harm the fabric.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water for a super simple stain removal solution. Wet a clean microfiber cloth and blot the stain. To remove the vinegar smell, add a few drops of dish detergent to lukewarm water and spritz onto the area. Let dry.
Spritz the affected area with a light mist of rubbing alcohol if the couch requires solvent-based cleaning, then wipe it with a white lint-free cloth, wiping from the outside of the stained area toward the center. Once the alcohol dries, brush the fibers to soften and realign them.
Can I use Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector on microfiber? If your fabric is microfiber, we'd recommend testing an out-of-the-way spot before applying Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield on a broad area. Allow it to dry and then look for any change in the feel of the fabric. May give fabric a slightly darker, richer tone.
Hand washing is often the most straightforward cleaning method, and with microfiber cloths all you need is water! Run the dirty microfiber cloth under cool or warm (not hot) water, and rub the microfiber between your fingers to help release the dirt and grime. Rinse well and leave to air-dry.
I'd try washing them again in just water. But make sure it's on the hot/warm setting, and let them soak in water for at least 15-20 minutes.
The tiny fibers that make microfiber attract and lock in dust, dirt, and moisture. While microfiber is relatively durable, it becomes pretty useless once the fibers absorb the waxy residue fabric softener and dryer sheets leave behind.
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.
Because a couch can be such a big investment, you absolutely want to make sure you're investing in a piece of furniture that is going to last you a while. A quality leather couch should last 25+ years, a microfiber couch typically lasts 7 – 10 years and a faux leather couch will last roughly 3 – 5 years.
Saliva stains from a young child or pet leave ringed marks on fabric. Saliva contains protein, so you'll want to handle stain removal as you would for other protein stains such as blood, egg and urine. The most important thing to remember when removing saliva stains is to avoid using hot water.
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.
Vinegar and Water.
The acid in vinegar cuts through grime and dried drool. Use equal parts of warm water and vinegar. Dirt and grime come off easily and the solution will not dull the paint or leave streaks.
Spot test first – but a Magic Eraser just might be the answer to worn, stained upholstery like leather and microfiber. Users swear it makes a microfiber couch or chair's worn corners and edges look fresh and new.
Run over the fabric with a stiff-bristled brush. As another option, work a dab or two of foaming shaving cream, which contains alcohol, into it. Allow the shaving cream to sit on the stain for 10 minutes before patting it dry with a clean cloth.
When washing microfiber cloths, avoid harsh soap, fabric softener or detergent with laundry additives, including fragrances and fabric conditioners. These coat the fibers of the cloth and make them less effective for cleaning. Lightly dusty or dirty microfiber cloths can be hand-washed.
Pre-soak in a liquid detergent / water and then squeeze out wax/polish with your hands and rinse thoroughly. Allow microfiber towels to boil for twenty (20) minutes (ensure that water does not fully evaporate) you will find that more wax / polish residue comes out even after a towel has been thoroughly washed.
We used Woolite Oxy Deep Oxygen-Activated Stain Remover to clean a food stain on our microfiber love seat. It worked great, lifted off the stain, and didn't leave a mark.