How to Clean a Microsuede Couch

Identifying the Type of Microsuede

Determine if you can use water on your couch. Microsuede couches come in two different types of fabric. To determine this, look on the tag or label on your couch. The label is generally found under the couch. You may also remove the cushions and check if it's along the seat area. The tag should have either an W, S, W/S, or X. If your couch is W or W/S, you can use water on it. If you don't see a tag, don't use water to clean your couch, as you may accidentally ruin your furniture. Water can easily damage microsuede. The most common code you'll see is S, which means you can only use solvent-based cleaners. W/S means you can use water or solvent-based cleaners, and X means you can’t use either and have to vacuum the couch.

Test a small area. Before you clean large areas on your couch, always test a small area first. This ensures that the fabric won’t react badly to your cleaning method and the method won’t leave a worse stain than before. Test an area somewhere you can’t see, like the back or around the bottom.

Call a professional. If your efforts to clean your couch have been unsuccessful, you may want to call someone who can do a professional upholstery cleaning. A professional will be able to treat a more stubborn stain.

Cleaning a W/S Microsuede Couch

Vacuum loose debris from your couch. If your couch has dirt, crumbs, or other debris, you need to vacuum it. Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. This is also important before you clean it with any cleaners to remove any loose dirt before you start scrubbing. Vacuum your couch once a week to keep it clean. Before you vacuum it, remove all of the cushions so you can really get it clean. This will help you maintain your couch's overall cleanliness. Don’t use the power attachments. This can damage the fabric.

Make a cleaning solution with dish soap and water. To clean any stains, use water and a mild detergent, like dish detergent. Make sure that whatever soap you use does not have any bleach in it. To make the solution, drop a few drops of detergent in a bowl of water.

Wipe the dirty areas gently. Dip a rag in the soap and water mixture, then wring out the excess water so the rag is just damp. Next, use your rag to rub the stain on the couch. Make sure to blot the stain or rub it gently, being careful not to damage the fabric. Rinse the rag often of the dirt that you pull from the couch. You may also place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the couch so you don’t saturate it. Make sure that you do not soak the couch. If you get too much water into the couch, it can be very difficult to dry due to the way the microfiber fabric is made. Make sure you are only using a damp rag. Even if the stain is stubborn, don’t pour more water onto the couch.

Dry with a hairdryer. If your couch has gotten too wet during the cleaning process, you need to dry it. To do this, use a hairdryer on the coolest setting possible. Don’t use the high heat setting because it could damage the fabric.

Put removable covers in the washing machine. If your fabric is washer and dryer safe, you may be able to remove the covers and wash them. Wash them on the gentle cycle. Use a gentle cleanser, like Woolite. Dry the covers on the no heat setting.

Try baking soda. Baking soda may help get stains out of your couch. Combine baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping the paste away. The stain should be better.

Brush and lightly rinse the fabric. After you clean the fabric on your microsuede couch, you may find that it is hard and stiff. To get it back to its original softness, blot the area with warm water to remove any soap or baking soda that remains on the fabric. Then, use a brush to gently brush the area. This will help remove any leftover cleaner and make the fabric soft again. You can use a nailbrush or a toothbrush.

Cleaning an S or X Couch

Vacuum the loose debris. If your couch fabric is labeled as X, that means you can only vacuum it. Use a soft brush to loosen any dirt, stains, or debris. Then, with the soft brush attachment, vacuum the couch. Make sure not to use the power attachment because it can damage the fabric. If your S couch has dirt on it, you need to vacuum it first.

Use a solvent-based cleaner. If your couch has an S or W/S, you can use a solvent-based cleaner. You can try a commercial solvent upholstery cleaner, which usually comes in a foam. If your couch has an S, only use solvent-based cleaners and do not use water.

Use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol, or clear drinking alcohol like vodka, can be used to clean a microsuede couch. Put the alcohol into a spray bottle and spray it on the stains on your couch. Blot or gently rub the stains with a cloth.

Use a dry detergent. If you cannot use water on your couch, try using a dry detergent on the stains. Sprinkle some of the product onto the area. Leave it on as long as directed. Use a soft-bristle brush to work the dry detergent over the stain. After you have cleaned the section, vacuum up the dry detergent before working on the next section.