Microfiber has become one of the most popular upholstery fabrics for couches and furniture in recent years. Known for its soft texture and durable resilience to dirt and spills, microfiber couch covers provide an easy way to refresh a living room’s look. But with microfiber’s reputation as a low-maintenance fabric, many wonder.
Can you machine wash microfiber couch covers safely? The answer depends on the specific cover material, but in most cases, yes, it is possible to clean microfiber slipcovers and protect your investment with proper care.
Understanding Microfiber
A Synthetic Fiber
Microfiber is a synthetic fabric constructed of ultra-fine polyester or polyamide fibers engineered to mimic the feel of expensive natural materials like silk or cashmere at a fraction of the cost. Looking closely under a microscope, microfiber yarns are only 1/300th the average diameter of a single human hair.
Insulation Properties
This minuscule thread count gives microfiber it’s signature soft hand feel while achieving high strength through tightly woven construction. The tightly wound fibers also trap air pockets, providing superior insulation properties. Combined with a low water absorption rate compared to natural materials, microfiber is a practical choice for furniture that resists dirt and stains better than napped fabrics.
Fire Resistant
Despite common misconceptions, true microfiber upholstery used by furniture brands is mildew and fire-resistant when treated properly during manufacturing. With proper care and cleaning, a microfiber slipcover or couch can maintain its looks for 10 years or more of regular household use.
Wash Ability Overview
Depends On Weaven Structure
In most cases, to wash microfiber couch covers, machine is the the best and safest approach. However, there are a few key factors that determine if machine washing is suitable, including the specific microfiber composition and weave structure.
Tightly Woven Microfiber
Very dense and tightly woven microfiber couch covers washed on a gentle cycle without damage. This type is durable enough to handle machine agitation and spinning. You should check for the care labels and wash it accordingly in the washing machine.
Looped or Napped Microfiber
Finer weaves with extra texture or lofting are more delicate. Gentle hand washing is best to avoid flattening loops or texture. For more care and extended life, follow the manufacturer’s instruction to clean.
Hybrid Fabrics
Some microfiber blends mixed with other fibers may not be suitable for machine washing. Make sure to hand wash them with proper care, soft swishes and required temperature of water. Also, Check the care tag.
Stitched or Bonded Elements
Extra elements attached like welting or skirt ties may require hand washing to avoid hard machine tumbling. To avoid shrinking, bleeding, pilling, or damage, it’s always safer to start with a test swatch and gentle hand washing whenever unsure of a microfiber’s exact composition or construction. When in doubt, hand wash.
Machine Washing Microfiber Slipcovers
Always Check Labels
If your microfiber furniture cover is labelled machine washable, here are some best practices for laundering in a standard home machine. Before you wash microfiber couch covers, remove any detachable cushions or openings. For example zip up couch covers before washing.
Use Cold Water
Use cold water only to prevent heat damage or shrinkage to the fibers. Add fragrance-free liquid laundry detergent made for delicate fabrics. Start with 1/4 of the recommended amount.
Air Dry Properly
Select the gentle or delicate cycle and avoid extra spins that can cause pilling. Wash solo without other heavy items to prevent snagging. Air dry completely to secure the fabric from Mold damages. Avoid direct sunlight which may cause fading over time.
Spot Cleaning
For covers that cannot be removed, spot clean with a damp microfiber cloth and mild cleaner instead. Wash occasionally with white vinegar to help remove residue and retain cover softness.
Fabric Refreshers
Using these precautions each washing should safely restore your slipcover without wear and tear. A light spray of fabric refreshers or Fiberize afterward boosts that newly laundered smell.
Removing Common Microfiber Stains
Food/Beverage Stains
Despite popular belief, microfibers’ dense fiber weave makes it quite stain-resistant compared to porous fabrics. However, spills do still happen! First of all make sure to not eat or drink on your couch. It is unhealthy and risk for stains. But if you somehow manage to get a stain on your cover, blot (don’t rub) liquid spills immediately then pre-treat with a paste of dish soap and warm water before washing as usual.
Makeup/Body Oil
These are accidents we talk about, makeup and body oil like sweat. Treat them right away when you spot them. Use a cotton ball dabbed with rubbing alcohol to lift marks from skin oils before washing.
Ink/Dye Transfers
Wash microfiber couch cover stains by dabbing the stain with white vinegar or lemon juice. Once done then sit to lighten and then launder. Make sure to dry it completely to check for results, some inks tend to show color after drying.
Mud
Let dry completely before brushing away the residue with a microfiber cloth or clean towel. Wash normally. Air dry the fabric after treating these kind of stains. So the anti-bacterial effect from sun light can keep your fabric more pleasant for the next use.
Pet Stains
Normally, pets in our homes play around the couch and end up with some crazy stains like pee stain, or anything new. Spray or sponge the area with enzymatic cleaner and let sit before washing as usual.
Wine/Coffee
Blot, pre-treat with water and ox clean powder or cream, then launder. For stubborn set-in stains professional dry cleaners offer additional cleaning methods and solution to completely remove tough blemishes from microfiber.
How to Wash and Care for Pillow Inserts
Manage Regular Laundering
Lavishly padded pillow inserts enhance the comfort factor inside microfiber slipcovers. Regular laundering keeps them fresh and hygienic between cover washings. Most microfiber pillow forms can be machine-washed like this.
Tumble Dry
Elements like buttons or tassels that could snag. Wash delicate or cold Check for a dry clean-only tag first before washing microfiber couch covers Remove all hardware with fragrance-free detergent alone. Tumble dry medium heat or air dry completely to prevent mildew. Fluff frequently while drying to maintain loft and shape.
Latex Pillows
For latex or down pillows, spot clean spills gently with mild detergent on a rag. With the dense weave of microfiber, pillow inserts release dirt and odors surprisingly well in the washing machine. Just be cautious of drying temperatures that could compromise filling over time. Periodic washing extends pillow longevity inside furniture for years.
Revitalizing Microfiber’s Plush Feel
Reason Is Residue Build Up
After several laundering cycles, microfiber’s super soft touch can diminish slightly from residue build-up or loss of treated finish protection. No need to replace – with basic technique microfiber’s plush luxury feel is easily restored.
Vinegar Is Solution
Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar with your regular wash once a month for natural conditioning. Tumble dryer sheets can coat fibers like fabric softener residues. Avoid their use for best hand-feel retention. For spot treatment, wipe microfiber down with a vinegar-water solution using a microfiber cloth.
Steam Cleaning Can Protect It
Don’t over-dry in direct sun which causes fibers to break down faster from UV exposure over time. Professionally steam clean microfiber periodically for deep dirt removal and maximum loft revival without soap residues. Apply fabric protectant sprays formulated for microfiber as needed to restore its water and stain resistance.
Quick tips to wash microfiber couch covers
Regular Care
With smart washing, proper drying, and periodic revitalizing, microfiber upholstery fabric brings a luxurious touch to living rooms for years of worry-free enjoyment and easy stain release whenever spills occur. With regular care, this practical upholstery is as comfortable and affordable as ever.
Take Off Covers
Take off any cushions or parts that can come undone. Zip up the cover so it’s all together. Use cold water and a tiny squirt of regular laundry detergent made for delicate clothes. Too much soap can leave a gross film.
Gently Washing Cycle
Put it in the washing machine alone on the gentle or delicate cycle. Don’t let it go through the spin cycle super-fast – that can pull and pill the fibers. Air dry it completely instead of using the dryer. Sunlight will fade over time. Some microfiber is too fine for the washing machine though. If in doubt, spot clean stains with a damp cloth and mild cleaner instead of washing the whole thing.
Some Tips to Keep Microfiber Save From Wear & Tear
Remove Residue
Microfiber is a super soft material used for many couches today. Its super thin plastic fibers are woven tight together to feel smooth. To keep your microfiber feeling extra soft and fresh between washes, add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse now and then. Vinegar helps remove residue that can build up on the fibers.
Do Not Rub On Spills
When spills happen, just blot, don’t rub. Pre-treat spots before washing to get stains out. Microfiber is pretty stain-resistant compared to other fabrics. With proper care, those couch covers should last you years of cozy comfort!
Protect From Shrinking
Use cold water only – hot can shrink it. Add a squirt of regular detergent made for delicate clothes. Too much soap leaves a yucky film. Wash it alone so it doesn’t get tugged around by heavier items. Definitely avoid extra fast spin that can pull and pill the fibers. Air dry it outside if you can so it doesn’t get musty.
Hacks To Safely Dry Microfiber Couch Covers
Sunlight
Sunlight will fade it faster over time so don’t lay it out for too long. When it’s dry, you’re good to go! For hard-to-take-off covers, spot clean stains with a damp cloth instead of washing the whole thing. Add a splash of white vinegar sometimes to soften it back up and remove residue buildup from washing. This helps it feel like new again.
Use TLC
Blot spills ASAP before washing to get them out. Microfiber is pretty stain-proof. With some TLC, those covers should last you many happy years on the couch! Microfiber couch covers are super soft and comfy, but they’ll get dirty over time with daily use. You want to clean them regularly to keep things fresh. The good news is microfiber is usually pretty easy to wash at home.
Remove Accessories
First, take off any pad inserts or sticking parts so they don’t go through the wash alone. That way nothing gets tangled or torn. Zip up the cover so it stays intact while cleaning. To wash microfiber couch covers, use cold water only – hot can cause shrinking.
A Slow Spin
Add a small squirt of regular gentle detergent, not too much. Put the cover in by itself on the delicate cycle. The regular cycle might be too harsh. And skip the fast spin that can mess with the fibers. Slow spin or no spin at all is best.
Air Drying
Air drying is key! Stay away from the dryer which can damage microfiber over time. Lay it flat in the shade, sunlight will make it fade quicker. Check on it tile is completely dry. Now and then, add some white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Vinegar helps remove build-up from washing that can dull the softness.
Conclusion
Microfiber is the super soft fabric used on a lot of couches nowadays. It’s made of tiny plastic fibers that feel silky but resist dirt and stains better than other fabrics. That makes it great for the furniture you use every day.
Keep Your microfiber covers fresh and soft with the help of vinegar splash. Use gently cycle and slow spin when washing in machine. Remember to dry properly to avoid mildew, and Mold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for minor stains you can spot clean microfiber with a damp cloth and mild detergent or vinegar. This prevents over-washing which can cause pilling.
Always use cold water when wash microfiber couch covers to avoid heat damage and shrinking. The fibers are heat-sensitive so warm or hot water risks ruining the cover.
Air drying is best to prevent damage. Lay flat in the shade, not direct sunlight which causes fading over time. You can also tumble dry on low heat but check for shrinking first.
It’s not recommended as heat can cause pilling or damage over multiple dryer cycles. Air drying is safer to maintain the soft texture and condition of the fibers long-term.
Use a gentle, fragrance-free liquid detergent made for delicate fabrics. Avoid powders which can leave residues that build up over time on microfiber.
Most covers can go 3-6 months between washings for light soil. Heavily used pieces may need monthly cleaning. Inspect for dirt build-up and odour and wash as needed.
Yes, adding vinegar during the rinse cycle helps remove residue and restore microfiber’s smooth texture between regular washings.
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