Microfiber is one of the best things to ever happen to the world of home furnishings. Fabrics made of microfiber, the finest fiber known to man, are soft, versatile, light weight and easy to care for. They are sometimes made to look like suede or leather and make very attractive furniture. Since they also have a tendency to repel dust and are hypoallergenic to quite an extent, microfiber is an extremely popular material for upholstering sofas, car seats and chairs. Cleaning microfiber furniture requires special methods because the fabric’s stain resistant properties also make it prone to getting watermarks. Using the wrong cleaning methods and products can result in a breakdown of the microfibers and make your upholstery lose both its resilience and looks. As with any upholstered furniture, if you follow a few simple cleaning tips you will maintain the looks of your microfiber furniture.
Dog and cat hair is the biggest problem with microfiber upholstery. It does not brush off easily. The easiest way to remove cat and dog hair from microfiber furniture is to use a lint roller or a special cloth for removing hair. Microfiber isn’t suitable for long haired pets. Hair and body oils from people and pets stick like glue to microfiber – requiring more agitation and cleaning than most upholstery. Loose dirt should be vacuumed and brushed away before it becomes embedded and harder to remove. Weekly vacuuming or light brushing helps to remove lint, debris, pet hair, soil and prevent the embedding of dirt or grime between the fibers which can increase abrasion and wear.
If something spills onto your furniture, grab an absorbent white terry cloth and blot the stain. Keep blotting until the spill is as dry as possible. Remember not to scrub a spill for the fear of spreading it. Use a mild detergent to wash stains or spots. Use as little liquid as possible and blot at the stain as you go. Even if your furniture is tolerant of water, it is best to use a hair dryer for quick drying of any wet spots to avoid the possibility of water marks. Always keep the dryer on its coolest setting.
You can prevent excessive wear on your microfiber furniture by exchanging cushions wherever possible. People get in the habit of sitting in the same spot and by exchanging or reversing cushions you prevent excessive wear and tear to any one cushion. Keeping your furniture out of direct sunlight will prevent fading or any other damage to the fabric. Also rearranging furniture in a room can be effective in preventing excessive wear patterns as well as fading.
Even if polyester microfiber has excellent resistance to soiling and staining it still has to be deep cleaned every year. Pollution from outside, cooking vapors and greasy fingers will coat the fabric and if they are not removed regularly you will find the microfiber becomes soiled very easily. Do not use a carpet cleaning machine with a furniture attachment on your microfiber furniture. This will cause wrinkles in the fiber and may even cause it to shrink. A low moisture method of deep cleaning is best because it reduces the possibility of doing any damage to your microfiber furniture. Never use nail polish remover, or anything containing acetone, on your microfiber furniture. Don’t use any product containing bleach or a bleach alternative on your microfiber furniture as it may cause discoloration. Because microfiber is synthetic, it has to be cleaned differently. Solvents that will hurt cotton will do nothing to microfiber. However, things that do nothing to regular cloth will damage microfiber. Also, certain chemicals will literally dissolve the chemicals that make up microfiber, so don’t just put anything on your furniture.
Developing a regular routine of maintenance and a few simple cleaning tips will preserve the beauty and elegance of your microfiber furniture far beyond your expectations. You will be very pleased with the results.
Jim Thornton has been cleaning furniture for over 30 years. In that time many methods of cleaning have been used but the best results have been achieved using encapsulation technology in the furniture cleaning systems. For more information go to www.bubblesandsuds.ca
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