How to Clean Your Microfiber Couch: Simple, Cheap, & All Natural

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I have a serious love/hate relationship with our microfiber couch. It started years ago with our first couch and I swore I’d never get another one again in my life. Fast-forward to almost 10 years later and here I am stuck with another (more expensive) one…

I am not sure what it is about them that is just so inviting. You see them and all you want to do is sit down and relax. They’re like giant pillows, but for your whole body. Who wouldn’t love them?!

The person who has to clean them — that’s who!

In a matter of no time, your pretty-comfy-oh-so-inviting couch turns into this awful gunk monster– especially if you have kids (or animals)!

Before you know it, there are stains EVERYWHERE and you have no idea where they came from. Some of them literally look like someone peed right on your couch! Which again, is a scary possibility with kids and animals…

And most times, it doesn’t seem like the amount of scrubbing even helps. You scrub and clean, then when it dries the stains are right back where you left them.

Who the heck bought this Ouija Board of a couch?!

Luckily, I have two ways to fix this disaster.

One way I have attempted, and the other I have not (but I am dying to – and will during my next go-around with my lovely beast of a couch)

How about this for a before and after picture? I told you it works!!

Option 1: Alcohol Cleaning Solution

So this solution I have tried and used many times on my first couch, and it worked wonders. Thankfully, our new couch is, well, new… so I haven’t had to tackle this beast yet (and this couch is freaking huge – so let’s just not talk about cleaning it right now…).

It worked wonders for my first microfiber couch (which was in our house for years and then ventured it’s way into my classroom — helloooo germ city)

What you will need:

Most, if not all, of these things can be found at your local dollar store – SCORE!

• A bottle of Rubbing Alcohol (maybe even two depending on your couch size)
• Soft Sponges  ( Stick with light colors, white always is best. I’ve seen some not so great reviews on using the colored sponges)
• A Spray Bottle
• A Cleaning Brush (any brush with little bristles to help fluff the couch back up at the end) 

How to use:

It’s always best to TEST a little spot on your couch first, preferably one that is not very noticable

1. Pour the rubbing alcohol in the spray bottle.
2. Spray liberally, one couch cushion at a time.
3. Use the sponges to scrub the area you just sprayed.
4. Let air dry.
5. Use the cleaning brush to go over, after the couch is dry, to re-fluff.

And you’re done! It seriously removes every stain you might have (:

Now, let me warn you: the smell of the alcohol can get a bit overwhelming. I’d do it on a day where you can open the windows. Once the couch is dry (& your house airs out), the smell will go away.

Option 2: Baking Soda & Essential Oils

Because I am the admitted Essential Oil Junkie, I am so excited to try out this option. I stumbled upon in on the Plant Therapy blog and fell in love with the idea! I may even start letting the kids eat on our new couch just so I can try it sooner… Who am I kidding?! No, I can’t go that far yet…

What you’ll need:

• 6 Cups of Water
• 1 Cup of Baking Soda
• 2 Drops of Germ Fighter (this is used to help kill bacteria and viruses that can be living in your couch, GROSS! Plus, it smells amazing!)
• A Scrub Brush
• A Bowl

How to use:

Again, test out a little spot first before you go and clean your entire couch like this for the first time. 

1. Combine all the ingredients (water, baking soda, and germ fighter) into your bowl.
2. Get the brush really wet and start scrubbing away! Make sure that you get each spot thoroughly.
3. Let dry! Simple as that. It will take a few hours to dry completely

Like I said, I am so excited to try this one out. So if you try it out before me, let me know how you like it!!

Don’t forget to take before and after pictures when you try these out. It’s crazy the difference it makes, and looking at the pictures side-by-side will leave you speechless!!

Let me know which one you try (or if you have a different method), leave pictures, and share your results! You know I’d love to hear from you (;

Also, if you are looking to buy any of these products online (or anything online, really) you need to check out Ebates! You literally get paid to buy the items you were already planning on buying anyways.

Plus, it is SUPER easy. I have earned hundreds of dollars throughout the years. And, the crazy part is, it’s on things I was already going to buy anyways. 

AND, if you sign up through my link, you get an automatic $10 added to your cash back balance once you make your first purchase through Ebates. How awesome is that?! 

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