Microfiber is one of the most commonly used fabrics in furniture, upholstery, clothing and towels. It’s durable and water-repellent, and it offers a plush look and feel that is often visually similar to leather or suede. This makes them a great option for your home or workplace. But many are unsure how to go about cleaning this material. Not to worry, we’ll take you through the steps one by one.
In order to pick the most efficient method, we have to first ascertain the type of microfiber your furniture is made of. On your furniture, there should be a tag that has one of the following codes printed on it:
- “W”: use a water-based cleaning solution.
- “S”: use a water-free, solvent-based cleaner.
- “S-W”: use either a solvent-based or a water-based cleaner.
- “X”: use only a vacuum cleaner, no water-based or solvent-based cleaners).
Now comes the big question – what if your furniture doesn’t have a tag? Or it has been lost or destroyed? The answer is simple – to be on the safe side, you should stick to vacuuming it, or scrubbing it with a dry brush. If it simply doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, you can try a solvent-cased cleaner, and treat it as if it had an ‘S’ tag. But under no circumstances should you use water on a tag-less piece of furniture, since you might end up damaging it irreversibly. Here are instructions on how to tackle everything that isn’t marked ‘X’.
- First, vacuum: Use a soft brush attachment to give the couch a preliminary cleaning. It will remove loose debris and dust, getting it ready for the next step.
- Check the tags.
(a) For ‘W’ tags: First, choose what type of solution you will use before beginning to clean your furniture. Common water-based cleaning solutions include gentle soap, mild dish detergent, carpet cleaner, and upholstery shampoo. Use your preferred chemical in the right ratio, and use a gentle brush or cloth in circular motions to apply the soap to the surface. Keep scrubbing till the soap has been cleaned off
(b) If there’s an “S,” you’ll need to use a solvent-based cleaner, because water could even stain the fabric. Common water-free solvents include rubbing alcohol, dry-cleaning solvent, lighter fluid, baby wipes, and oxygenating solutions that don’t contain bleach. To avoid creating a spot, clean the area in a circular motion from the outside in.
- After cleaning, let the fabric air dry.
- This fabric usually feels stiff to the touch after being cleaned. All you have to do is brush with soft bristles to lift the microfibers and restore the original feel of the microfiber fabric. This step fluffs up the fibers of the fabric, making it soft and plush again.
If you’re uncertain about the best way to clean something in your house, give Eurotek a call, and we promise to assist you right away!
