The purpose of this article is to establish a relationship between a carpet cleaner and a microfiber couch, with the primary objective of providing the answer to the question, “Can you use a carpet cleaner on a microfiber couch?” So if you’re a clean freak, this is the best place for you.
Carpet cleaner defined
Carpet cleaner also known as a carpet extractor, is a machine designed to carry out a thorough cleaning of the carpet.
It has proved to be so effective because it can easily remove stains and dirt that have been deeply embedded in the carpet for a long time. It does the cleaning job excellently well that users wouldn’t hesitate to try it on every other interior decor like upholsteries.
However, some upholstery like microfibers is sensitive, so one must be careful when adopting a cleaning method.
Microfibers defined
Microfiber is made up of ultra-soft polyester fabrics designed to resist all sorts of stains and can be used for a wide range of things like making upholstery, mats, knits, and industrial products.
Microfiber can also be used as a cleaning tool because it can penetrate cracks and holes that are considered hard-to-reach for paper towels and cotton towels.
Microfiber is growing to be the top choice of people when it comes to upholstery for reasons like;
- Velvety texture: This helps to prefer some form of comforts to the occupant sitting on the microfiber couch.
- Durability: Microfibers are tightly woven to prevent scratches by pets. Plus microfibers can maintain their colors for years without wearing off.
- Easy to clean: When it comes to keeping your microfibers clean, you really don’t have to worry because they can be easily cleaned with a dry cloth by wiping them on the couch or you can use a vacuum. (details will be provided later)
- Keeps out allergens: Microfiber is a regular cloth-covered couch that prevents it from being affected by dust. The fine fiber helps prevent dust from staying on the couch for a prolonged number of time. Any dust that does stay can easily be removed by a quick wipe from a vacuum or a dry cloth.
- Stain-resistant: Microfibers are a great water repellant and as a result, they tend to keep any form of spills on the surface of the couch to prevent it from seeping deep into the couch’s padding. Even the most stain-prone colors like gray can be used for a long time without any apparent permanent stains.
Although microfiber seems to be the perfect choice for interior decors, it also comes with its disadvantage.
As impressive as microfibers seem with all their almost waterproof features, you may have to be on the lookout for Lints because microfibers stick easily with anything lint and anything related to threads, furs, and hair.
So while you’re shopping for the right upholstery, you should consider this if you’re the type that spends a lot of time lying on the couch while at home. However, microfibers also come in much darker colors like the gray and jean color that can blend well with the lint or hair to make them unnoticeable.
Care labels for microfiber couch
Microfibers couch comes with care instruction tags, which are written in codes to serve as cleaning guides. These codes are properly explained below.
- “W” which means the fabric is water safe
- “S” translates to cleaning with a dry cleaning solvent
- “W-S” translates to both solvent and water safe
- “X” means to dry brush only.
Carpet cleaner doesn’t fall under any of these care instructions, so it’s not advisable to use it on a microfiber couch. However, if you are not satisfied with this answer, you can schedule an appointment with a professional furniture cleaning service.
Carpet cleaner ingredients
Some carpet cleaners like the Woolite cleaner are lenitive, so they usually have simple ingredients like surfactants, water, fragrance, peroxide; Monohexyl ether, alcohol, bleaches, Isobutane, and enzymes.
Choice of ingredients to use depends on the texture of the carpet, rug, or the upholstery to be cleaned, as a wrong choice could have a damaging effect on the texture.
What is a microfiber couch made of
Microfiber is made of synthetic fiber usually thinner than silk and human hair. Just like human hair, microfiber is also a man-made product made from polyester or polyamides (such as nylon, kevlar, etc).
Is carpet cleaner safe for couch
Although carpet cleaners are designed to clean up ground-in dirt on a carpet, the good news is, you sure can use it on other couches like the sofa upholstery. Sometimes, pets and kids could be a pain in the ass, when you have to deal with your cat poo or crumbs of snacks dropped by kids all over the places and even on the couches.
Does carpet cleaner work on couches? Well, you don’t have to worry because you can get rid of these stains with your Do-It-Yourself (DIY) carpet cleaner. Although you might have to shop for the right upholstery attachment, but for optimal results, you might have to go for the upholstery cleaning solution.
Can you use a carpet cleaner to clean a microfiber couch
If you own and it crosses your mind anytime your cleaning your carpet to also try it out on your microfiber couch, you just might have to bury that idea. Carpet cleaners are designed to clean up stains that are deeply ingrained in carpets.
Carpet cleaners could be too sophisticated for a microfiber couch because they hardly keep stains. Using a carpet cleaner for a microfiber couch is almost anonymous to using overdose drugs. So it is not advisable to clean them with a carpet cleaner.
How to clean microfiber couch with carpet shampooer
Did you feel disappointed for getting a “No” as an answer at first? Well, I have got good news for you in the section. You might not be able to use a carpet cleaner for your microfiber, but you most definitely can use a carpet cleaner shampoo to clean it or cleaning it organically (details later on organic clean up in the next section).
You can clean microfiber couches with a carpet cleaner effectively follow these few steps.
- Before applying the shampoo, ensure you vacuum or wipe the dirty surface with a dry cloth to make your cleaning easy.
- Ensure you carry out a color test with the solution you’ve chosen to avoid staining the couch any further with a large bleach. Once you have a satisfactory result, you can proceed to the next step. Note: This process should not be skipped if you’re trying it for the first time.
- After getting a satisfactory result, spot any dirty area on the couch and clean up with the solution. While this exercise is going on, ensure you don’t apply so much pressure so you don’t end up defacing the soft texture of the microfiber couch. Although you can increase the pressure if the stain fails to budge after persistently applying lower pressure. You can also use a soft scrub brush or a kitchen towel for deep stains.
- Spray the heavily stained area lightly with alcohol-water or upholstery cleaner solution. Then apply the carpet shampooer to clean the couch section by section adhering strictly to the manual.
- Wait patiently for it to dry up then use a bristle brush on stiffened areas. Do not panic at the sight of the stiffened areas as bristle brush will surely soften it up.
How to clean a very dirty microfiber couch
You can clean a dirty microfiber using the carpet cleaner shampooer or by using the organic method. Some people might be allergic or super sensitive to solutions or ingredients. They can make their own solution organically at home by following these steps.
- Six tablespoons of soap flakes mixed with a pint of boiling water
- Half cup rubbing alcohol, half cup distilled vinegar 3 to 4 drops citrus essential oil
- Five tablespoons vinegar to a cup of water.
What is the best cleaner for microfiber couches?
After a prolonged search for the best microfiber couches cleaner, two names stand out, so both were tested on two dirty microfiber couches: the Methods Glass cleaner and the Rubbing Alcohol cleaner.
After the test, the method glass was able to eliminate all stains, but the Rubbing Alcohol’s cushion still has some stain. So it was concluded that The method glass cleaner is the best microfiber couch cleaner.
Please feel free to get in touch with us if you need additional information on carpet cleaning professional equipment.
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