How to Clean Microfiber Furniture and Keep It Looking Elegant



Posted: Friday, March 13, 2009

by Jim Thornton
Bubbles and Suds

With constant improvements in technology you find microfiber is an exceedingly versatile and elegant fabric. Furniture made from microfiber is soft, very light and easy to take care of. This furniture has a similar appearance to suede and when it is placed in a room it looks very dignified.

One reason that microfiber is a popular material is that it has the ability to fend off dust and it is hypoallergenic. When it comes time to clean your microfiber furniture it will require specific methods because the stain resistant properties of this fabric also make it susceptible to forming water marks. If you use the wrong cleaning method or the wrong products you could possibly break down the microfibers, as a result this could break down the resilience and appearance. By following some easy cleaning tips you can maintain the appearance of microfiber furniture.

Removing pet hair from microfiber upholstery can be a big problem. Because of the nature of the fabric a hair works like a magnet and clings. Using a lint roller easily gets this hair off the furniture. You will find that microfiber furniture does not suit long haired pets. Body oils and hair from your pet and also from people stick like to microfiber like glue. As a result this requires more agitation and most furniture cleaning. Loose dirt and dust should be vacuumed immediately before it embeds in the fabric and in that case will be harder to remove. By vacuuming frequently you can remove pet hair, lint, soil and stop dirt and grime from embedding itself in the fibers. This also will prolong the life of your microfiber upholstery.

When spills appear you should blot the stain immediately with a soft cloth. You must keep blotting until you have dried the stain as much as possible. Use a mild dish detergent to gently wash the stains or spots and take care not to scrub the stain because of the possibility of spreading it. As you proceed using as little moisture as possible you should blot the stain. Use a hair blower on cool to dry any wet spots as quickly as possible. This is the best technique to prevent watermarks.

You can stop wear marks from appearing on your furniture by rearranging the cushions whenever possible. Most people are habitual and sit in the same place every time they use the furniture. By moving the cushions you can prevent excess wear. You should also rearrange your furniture to prevent wear patterns from forming. Also keep your furniture from direct sunlight which will prevent it from fading or other damage. If the furniture in your room cannot be kept out of direct sun you should draw the curtains whenever possible.

Even with the durability and stain resistant qualities of microfiber furniture it should be professionally cleaned annually. Cooking odors, greasy fingers and pollution from outside will cover the fabric and this will cause your furniture to become soiled easily. If you decide to clean your furniture yourself don't use a cleaning machine with power brush attachments because this may damage the fabric. An upholstery cleaning method that uses low moisture reduces the likelihood of causing damage to the microfiber upholstery. Do not use bleach, nail polish remover, acetone or any similar chemicals on your microfiber. These products can cause some discoloration because of the synthetic nature of microfiber and as a result it needs to be cleaned different. Solvents that hurt cotton will not hurt microfiber and things that don't hurt regular cloth will cause harm to microfiber. It is possible to literally dissolve the microfiber by using the wrong chemicals.

Having a regular cleaning routine and following a few simple tips will keep their rich appearance of your microfiber upholstery beyond anything you may hope for. Following these tips will give you great satisfaction with the results.

About the Author

Jim Thornton has been cleaning carpets for many years. In that time many methods of carpet cleaning have been used but the best carpet cleaning results have been achieved using dry foam extraction. For more information go to www.bubblesandsuds.ca

Jim Thornton has been cleaning carpets for many years. In that time many methods of carpet cleaning have been used but the best carpet cleaning results have been achieved using dry foam extraction. For more information go to www.bubblesandsuds.ca
 
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