How to Clean Microfiber

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Microfiber is a material created from extremely thin synthetic fibers. It is an environmentally-friendly, economic, and versatile fabric used in everything from couches to towels. By knowing how to clean microfiber and utilizing the right supplies, you can keep your fabric and furniture fresh for years to come.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Microfiber Furniture

1
Remove fabric covers from cushions and pillows. If you’re cleaning a couch, pillow, or other piece of furniture that uses microfiber slip-covers, take them off the furniture and set them aside. Wash these separately, either by hand or in a washing machine.
2
Use rubbing alcohol to remove dirt and greasy stains. Pour 90% rubbing alcohol into a squirt bottle and spray it onto the grimy area.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.} Let it sit for about 1 minute, then scrub the alcohol with a clean sponge.^{[2]
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Research source} Keep scrubbing until you see results, spraying on more alcohol if necessary.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- If you’re worried about discoloring your furniture, wipe a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to an inconspicuous area to test for colorfastness.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Raymond Chiu
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
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3
Use distilled water to get rid of water stains. If your furniture has light stains caused by moisture, fill up a squirt bottle with distilled water and spray it on the affected area. Just like with the rubbing alcohol, scrub the couch with a sponge until you start seeing the stains go away.
4
Let your furniture air dry. If you have the time, let your furniture dry on its own. This will prevent any needless damage caused by improper drying techniques. However, if you’re in a hurry, try spot drying the microfiber with a blow dryer. Make sure the dryer is set to cool, since heat can damage microfiber.
5
Scrub the microfiber with a brush after cleaning. Once it’s dry, your furniture may feel crisp or hard. If it does, rub the rough areas with a soft bristle or suede brush.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} This will loosen the fibers and make them feel comfortable again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hand Washing Microfiber Fabric

1
Soak the cloth in warm water. Fill a bucket or sink with warm water. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons (44 to 74 mL) of a clear liquid laundry detergent or dish soap. Gently mix the cleaner into the water. Then, add your fabric to the water.^{[6]
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- Specialty microfiber cleaning solutions are also available. You can buy them online or in the cleaning aisle of your local store.
- You can start washing the cloth as soon as it is fully wet, or you can let the fabric soak for an hour or longer if it is especially soiled.
2
Use your hands to wash the fabric. Agitate the cloth manually by rubbing it with your hands. This will remove built up dirt and grime. Repeat as needed.^{[7]
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3
Rinse the cloth thoroughly with warm water. In a sink or bucket, completely rinse the fabric with warm water. Make sure that the soap or cleaning solution is completely removed. Wring the cloth to remove excess water.
4
Allow the fabric to air dry if possible. Microfiber is a synthetic material and high heat can damage it. Air drying will help the cloth last longer. To do so, hang the fabric on a clothesline, or drape it over a sink or bucket. Microfiber dries quickly, so you will not have to wait long.^{[8]
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5
Use the lowest dryer setting if you need to dry the cloth quickly. If your dryer has an air-fluff setting, use that to dry the cloth. If not, use the lowest setting possible, and check on the cloth after 30 minutes. The less heat exposure it has, the longer the fabric will last.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Machine Washing Microfiber Fabric

1
Wash microfiber only with other microfiber fabrics. Microfiber will attract lint from other fabrics, such as cotton. These fibers are extremely hard to remove from the microfiber and will decrease the effectiveness of the fabric. It is best to only wash microfiber cloth with other microfiber materials.^{[9]
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2
Use a gentle, clear, liquid laundry detergent. Stronger laundry detergents can damage microfiber fabric and make cleaning cloths less efficient. Powdered detergents will adhere to the microfiber in the same way that cotton will, creating a difficult to remove film over the cloth.^{[10]
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- Use the smallest amount of detergent possible to avoid damaging the microfiber. Begin with ½ the amount you would use for normal laundry and add more to the next load if necessary.
- You can also use a specialty microfiber cleaning solution in place of detergent. Read the label to make sure that the cleaning solution is safe for the washing machine.
3
Skip the fabric softener. Fabric softener will clog up microfiber and bind multiple pieces of cloth together. Only use a clear detergent or specialty microfiber cleaner when laundering your fabric.^{[11]
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4
Avoid using bleach to clean microfiber fabric. The bleach will cause the fibers to deteriorate, making them wear out more quickly. If you’re washing microfiber cleaning cloths, bleach will make them less effective at picking up dirt and grime.^{[12]
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5
Set your washer to a cool or warm water setting. Though hot water is generally better at cleaning, high temperatures can damage the synthetic material found in microfiber. To help your fabric last longer, set your washing machine so it uses only cool or warm water.
6
Use the lowest temperature possible to dry your microfiber. If possible, air-dry the fabric after you remove it from the washer. If you’re pressed for time, set your dryer to the lowest temperature setting available and dry your fabric for the shortest amount of time possible.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get stains out of microfiber?

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company that services the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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Put 90% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the stained area. Blot or wipe the area clean with a cloth or sponge to lift the stains.
Question

How can I decide what solution to use to clean the sofa?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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Check the tag of the sofa for proper care instructions. By seeing it, you can know the type of solution that is suitable to clean it. Test the solution on an inconspicuous area before using it on the whole sofa.
Question

How do you clean a microfiber upholstered sofa?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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First, lightly vacuum the sofa to remove any debris or dirt. Check its tag and choose a suitable product to clean it. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas in gentle, circular motions. Avoid over-brushing to reduce the risk of fraying or damaging the material.