Microfiber furniture has a reputation for being water resistant, stain resistant, and durable. No matter how stain resistant furniture is, however, sooner or later it will probably need to be cleaned if it is used.
Basic cleaning maintenance for microfiber furniture is a simple as vacuuming. Keeping furniture dust free and removing bits of debris will extend the life of microfiber furniture as well as keep it looking fresh and attractive.
Don’t let spills soak in – blot them gently to soak up the spill. Don’t rub. If a small spill does end up un-noticed until it is too late don’t start dumping on the cleaner. Let it dry completely and brush it away. This removes the spill residue and fluffs the fiber back into place. American Home K2R Spot Remover is good for small spots. It sprays on, then after drying; a white powder brushes off with no residue.
It is important to carefully check the label on the furniture before starting the cleaning process. Applying either cleaners or water-based solutions can cause the fabric to stain if the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions are not followed.
Always try a test spot first in a place that does not show with whatever cleaning product you are using – just in case the label is wrong. It is easier to check a spot under the edge near the floor or on the seam of a cushion than to ruin furniture with a permanent stain.
The most common microfiber cleaning codes are W, S, and SW. The first one, W, gives the information that a water-based cleaning solution is needed. S means a solvent cleaner is needed, and SW means either water-based or solvent cleaners are acceptable.
Microfiber furniture with an S cleaning code can use Guardsman AFTA Spot Cleaner. AFTA removes oil-based stains on dry clean only and S code fabrics. The manufacturers of this product claim it even removes tough stains like crayon and tar.
Another option for microfiber furniture marked with an S cleaning code is to try a gentle dry detergent – the kind you would use for washing baby clothes – and a soft brush. First vacuum, then use the soft brush to gently rub in a dusting of dry detergent. Vacuum completely and then move on to the next section.
Guardsman also makes a solvent-free cleaning kit. It is called the Guardsman Microfiber Furniture Cleaning Kit. The kit includes a sponge specially designed for cleaning microfiber furniture and cleaning solution.
While nail polish remover should never be used on microfiber furniture there are a few household products (concentrated rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and clear drinking alcohol) that can be used. They are not generally as effective as purchased cleaners but they can offer a solution to a cleaning problem if there is not time to run to the store or to order the cleaning products online.
Resources
http://www.cleanyourmicrofiber.com/index.php/Clean_Microfiber_Furniture
http://www.cleanyourmicrofiber.com/index.php/Techniques_for_Cleaning_Microfiber_Furniture
http://www.cleanyourmicrofiber.com/index.php/Microfiber_Cleaning_Products
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/clothing-and-fabrics/furniture/how-to-clean-microfiber-furniture
