Prep first
Before you start
- Check the cleaning code on the tag before anything wet touches the fabric.
- Test any cleaner on a hidden spot, such as the back of a cushion, and let it dry before you judge the result.
- Leave the cushion covers on; they shouldn't be removed to launder or dry clean them.
Microfiber couches look alike, but they don't all share one cleaning code, and that code decides which methods are safe. Water on solvent-only (code S) fabric can damage it or leave rings, and microsuede needs even gentler handling than standard microfiber.
Check the tag before any cleaning, and test your cleaner on a hidden spot first. Cleaning a microfiber sofa with foam is safe if the tag says W or WS, both of which allow water-based cleaners. Chairs and lounges follow the same rules, and an X tag means vacuuming only.
Before you start
What microfiber couches can take
Use with care2
- Water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid5
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
9 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Upholstery vacuum attachmentLifts loose dust from the fabric and cushions before any wet cleaning.
- Lint brushRestores the nap and luster, and lifts dust from suede-look microfiber. (opens Amazon)
- Measuring spoon and measuring cupKeeps the dish soap mix at 1 teaspoon per cup of water.
- Mild liquid dish soapMakes the foam used in the wet steps, and it is always diluted. (opens Amazon)
- Soft brushSpreads the foam gently without rubbing the fabric hard. (opens Amazon)
- Clean white cloths or a spongeFor blotting and rinsing, well wrung so the fabric isn't soaked. (opens Amazon)
- Fan or hair dryerSpeeds drying when set on cool, without adding heat. (opens Amazon)
- Stiff nonmetallic brushBrushes the nap back up once the fabric is fully dry.
- Water-free dry-cleaning solventNeeded only for solvent-only (code S) couches, in place of any water. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Find the cleaning code
Look for the tag under a seat cushion or at the base of the frame, since the code decides which cleaners are safe. W means water-based cleaners only, S means water-free solvent only, WS means either, and X means vacuuming or light brushing only. Don't assume that microfiber means code S.
Careful. If the code is S or X, skip the foam and rinse and follow the card for your code.
Step 2 of 7
Vacuum and lift the loose dirt
Run an upholstery vacuum attachment over the whole couch, including the cushions, so loose dirt doesn't get ground in when the cleaner goes on. Then go over the fabric with a lint brush to lift what's left and restore the nap.
Tip. Brush lightly at this stage, since the fabric shouldn't be rubbed hard.
Step 3 of 7
Whip the dish soap into foam
Mix 1 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap into 1 cup of lukewarm water, then whip it into a foam with a whisk or by shaking the mix. Use only the foam, not the liquid underneath.
Tip. Pretest the foam on a hidden spot first; if the dyes bleed or the fabric shrinks, call a professional.
Step 4 of 7
Apply the foam from the edges in
Spread the foam with a soft brush, working from the outside of the stain toward the middle to prevent a ring. Blot rather than rub, and keep going only while the stain is still transferring to the cloth.
Careful. Don't pour cleaner onto the fabric or let it soak, since water can reach the filling.
Step 5 of 7
Rinse out the soap
Wipe the area with a cloth barely dampened with plain lukewarm water, rinsing the cloth often. Keep going until no soapy film is left, because soap residue attracts dirt.
Tip. Rinse the cloth in clean water between passes so you aren't spreading soap around.
Step 6 of 7
Let it dry completely
Set a fan or hair dryer on cool, and keep air moving across the fabric. Let the couch dry completely before anyone sits on it, which can take overnight.
Step 7 of 7
Brush the nap back up
When the fabric is fully dry, brush the nap with a stiff nonmetallic brush, or a lint brush on suede-look microfiber. Then buff or vacuum to bring back the soft look and feel.
Careful. Brushing is for the nap only, so keep it gentle and don't scrub.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning microfiber couches
Mild liquid dish soap is all the foam needs, so skip specialty bleaches and detergents. Keep a water-free dry-cleaning solvent on hand only if your tag says S.
Rug Doctor Spot & Upholstery Cleaner
BLACK+DECKER spillbuster Cordless Spill + Spot Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for cleaning microfiber couches, its maker doesn't warn against using it on microfiber couches, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The fabric should look even, with no wet patch or ring, and the nap should feel soft and stand up evenly once dry. If you see a damp spot or ring, blot it lightly with a barely damp cloth, then let the whole area dry before using the couch.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your couch
Microsuede (suede-look microfiber)
Microsuede needs lukewarm water, about 105°F, and nothing hotter, so use that for every wet step. Wipe from the outside in with a cloth dampened in that water, using a clean area of the cloth and not rubbing hard.
Oil-based stains are the one exception: pat them from the outside in with a cloth soaked in ethyl alcohol, then follow with a dry cloth. Ventilate the room and keep open flames away while you do it, and pretest the alcohol first since it can fade some dyes.
Solvent-only microfiber (code S)
Code S fabric gets no water at all, since water can damage it or leave rings. Clean spots only with a water-free dry-cleaning solvent, and vacuum or brush the rest of the couch.
Ventilate the room while you work, and pretest the solvent on a hidden spot first. Let the solvent dry completely before the couch is used.
Vacuum-only microfiber (code X)
Code X means no foam, no liquid cleaner and no water, so vacuuming or light brushing is the whole job. Brush gently, since the fabric shouldn't be rubbed hard.
For any stain beyond dust, call a professional upholstery cleaner rather than trying a wet method. A professional is also the right call when the whole couch is soiled.
Chair or lounge
A chair or lounge is cleaned under the same code rules as a couch, so the tag decides the method. The tag is often at the base of the frame rather than under the cushions, so check there first.
Work one section at a time, starting at the outside of any stain, so the damp area doesn't spread into a ring. Vacuum the whole chair before you start, and let each section dry before moving on.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
There's no set schedule for a deep clean; do it when the fabric looks dull or a spot won't lift with vacuuming. When the couch is soiled overall, a professional upholstery cleaner is the better choice.
Vacuum weekly with an upholstery attachment, and hand-fluff the cushions and rotate them for even wear. Between cleans, go over the fabric with a lint brush to keep the nap and luster, and dust with a well-wrung damp cloth when needed.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning microfiber couches?
Most household remedies don't suit this couch, and mild dish soap is the only one that does. Dish soap is the cleaner in the steps, and the others are either limited to one kind of stain or should stay off the upholstery entirely.
Works1Helps2Skip1Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub the stain
Scrubbing roughs up the nap and can push the stain deeper into the weave. Blot gently and let the foam do the work.
Don't skip the code check
A microfiber couch can look the same under every code, but water on solvent-only fabric can damage it or leave rings. Check the tag before you wet anything.
Don't use hot water or steam
Hot water can set a stain, and steam cleaning isn't recommended for upholstery like this. Keep every wet step lukewarm.
Don't leave the fabric soaked
Water that reaches the filling takes a long time to dry, so the fabric should stay only barely damp. Let it dry fully before anyone sits on it.
Don't reach for bleach
No microfiber source approves bleach, and it isn't recommended on upholstery at all. Stick to the cleaners in these steps and in the remedies above.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
Water rings after drying
Lightly dampen only the ring with white vinegar, wait, then blot with a barely damp cloth. Dry thoroughly, feathering the edges outward so the fabric isn't saturated.
Dye transfers to the cloth
Stop cleaning and let the fabric dry. Then call a professional upholstery cleaner, since bleeding dye means the method isn't safe for this fabric.
A stain still shows after drying
Some stains, such as permanent marker, lipstick and nail polish, may not fully come out. Have a professional upholstery cleaner look at those instead of repeating the wet steps.
When to call a professional
Call a professional upholstery cleaner when the couch is soiled overall or a stain is large or unusual. Look for a certified firm that specializes in upholstery cleaning. Also call one if a pretest shows bleeding dye or shrinking.
Questions
Can you steam clean a microfiber couch?
No, steam cleaning isn't recommended for microfiber upholstery, and hot water extraction isn't either. Use the foam method if the tag says W or WS, and skip steam altogether.
Can you clean microsuede with water?
Yes, but only lukewarm water, about 105°F, applied with a barely damp cloth. Steam isn't recommended, so keep to the cloth and never pour a cleaner straight onto the fabric.
Can I use a store-bought upholstery spray?
Only if it suits your couch's code: a water-based foam upholstery cleaner for W or WS, or a water-free dry-cleaning solvent for S. Never spray it straight onto the fabric, and never use any liquid on X fabric.
What if the couch has no cleaning code?
Don't guess. Pretest any cleaner on a hidden area first, and if the dyes bleed or the fabric shrinks, call a professional upholstery cleaner.
Does a light-colored microfiber couch need more cleaning?
Yes, light fabric shows dirt more, so clean it periodically rather than waiting for a visible mess. Regular vacuuming and light brushing keep dirt from building up between deep cleans.
Can I clean a microfiber chair the same way as a couch?
Yes. The code on the tag decides the method, and on a chair the tag may be at the base of the frame rather than under the cushions.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
More cleaning guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.