Microfiber is one of the most popular upholstery fabrics used in modern lounge suites, due to its affordability, durability and ease of cleaning. The fabric also stands up well to pets, especially cats who favour flexing their claw muscles on other materials.

On the downside, many microfiber materials are a magnet for dust, lint, hair and swirl marks. Also, if you've opted for a lighter colour such as cream or beige, they can quickly appear dirtier than they actually are. Fortunately, microfiber is a breeze to clean and you can remove stains restoring brightness and freshness to the material in just minutes. Here's how:

What you'll need:

• Rubbing Alcohol Solution
• Soft Bristle Brush
• Clean, Damp Sponge
• Hair dryer or hand held fan

Step 1: Vacuum

Before you can apply elbow grease, a thorough vacuum (preferably with a brush attachment) will extract loose hairs, dust, dander and all other crumbs that are attracted to the couch, leaving the surface smooth and debris-free for stain removal.  

Step 2: Spray the Solvent Solution

Nearly all microfiber lounges are polyester based, making a solvent based cleaner the best choice. Lightly spray the stain or dirty surface one small area at a time, without saturating the surface. Rubbing alcohol products are available in supermarkets and sometimes referred to as antiseptic rubs. Clear vodka in a spray bottle will also work.

Step 3: Blot and Dab

With a clean damp sponge, work over the stain/affected area, carefully rubbing outwards from the site of the dirt or stain. Be careful not to saturate the surface with a water soaked sponge as this can leave water marks after drying. Should the stain be more stubborn, don't hesitate to use the scouring side of the sponge to scrub more vigorously. For colourful stains (ex: ink, blood, wine or coffee), you should begin to see the coloured stain transferring to the sponge.

Step 4: Blow Dry

Now it's time to plug in the blow drier on it's coolest setting, or set up a pedestal fan at the site of the stain. A blow drier will work faster because you can better direct the cool air towards the damp area. Note: drying is not essential, but it will help to mitigate any water marks that may be accidentally left from using too much water. Luckily these marks can be easily removed by repeating the solvent spray and blot process outlined above.

Step 5: Brush Up

After the material is dry, you can plump up the microfiber by lightly brushing the surface with a soft bristle nailbrush. Soft brushing will help leave a consistent finish on the material and help to prevent sections feeling stiff after the liquid treatment has dried.

Stains are an unfortunate fact of life, but if you're the proud owner of a microfiber lounge, they don't have to be permanent. Next time you topple the tonic water or bump the Baileys all over your microfiber suede sofa, don't despair – you know what to do. For more information, contact a business such as Busy Bell​.