Last week I shared how to clean a microfiber couch and even remove pen and marker from microfiber (thanks to our helpful kiddos.)
But what happens when the usual method doesn’t work? If you have kids and a microfiber couch, you’ve probably seen some tough stains that refuse to leave no matter how hard you scrub them with the usual method. What do you do then?
I discovered an awesome solution that effectively removes really tough set in stains from microfiber. The awesome part is this tough stain-removing method has no harsh chemicals – so you can safely clean your microfiber fabric around your children and pets.
Are you ready to learn the secret to removing tough stains from microfiber?
The secret formula isn’t that secret. It’s really simple and you’re almost sure to already have the ingredients. Ready?
It’s baking soda and water.
Make a paste using more baking soda (affiliate links) than water. Mix it up.
Note: Just like when cleaning any material, you should test this on an inconspicuous area before trying it on a large section, just to make sure it won’t discolor or damage it. I had absolutely no issues on my light brown couch and the material is perfectly fine or I wouldn’t recommend this method. I also felt that my couch was already somewhat ruined and if my little baking soda trick discolored it slightly, it was still an improvement over the previous yucky stains. But thankfully there was no discoloration or issue at all.
Here’s a couple nasty stains on our couch – I don’t know how/why/what it is (and I really don’t want to know) but I did know that no amount of normal cleaning helped.
{Naturally Luke decided to mark up the stains further with a marker. Why not just make it more obvious, you know?}
Rub the baking soda paste in a circular motion on the stain.
Keep rubbing and rubbing and gradually the mark will disappear.
You can use a cleaning rag (that’s what we call them) if you want.
See how it’s coming off?
I think the grit in the baking soda helps release the stain in a way that usual cleaning methods don’t.
Once the stain is removed, you’ll want to dab a clean cleaning rag in some water and scrub the area to remove some of the left behind baking soda.
Let it dry.
Then brush in circular motions to bring the softness back. (It really does work!)
The stain should be completely gone by now.
If it’s not – don’t panic. It doesn’t mean this trick hasn’t worked. Sometimes it’s hard to see when you’re cleaning microfiber , so just try another round of baking soda/water paste.
I can’t make any guarantees that this tough stain removal method on a microfiber couch works for everything, but I will say it’s worked for everything I’ve personally tried. So give it a shot, what have you got to lose?
I tried this and it removed some of the stains, but not all of them sadly. At least they are not as bad as they were 🙂
Did you make a baking soda paste? It has to be mostly baking soda to work- I first tried a little baking soda with more water and that did nothing – there has to be a lot of baking soda for the grit to remove the stain. I haven’t found a stain yet it won’t take out!
What about possible finger nail polish clear?
I just tried it. Brand new dining room set chair with dye or ink…imma not sure, but it came out right away. Yes you have to make it pasty. Really works! Thank you!!!
I need this, my couches are looking a different color. Baking soda?? So trying this.
Baking soda has so many uses! I have a few stains I should try this on!
Baking soda is like magic. I use it everywhere in the house. I am glad you were able to remove stains
This is amazing and I can not believe you did it naturally without using a cleaner with harsh chemicals. I will definitely be sharing this amongst friends.
I need to do this to my couch but it’s not microfiber. Having 5 kids our couch is a wreck!
I’m sure you could try it on a regular couch too. Just try a little on a spot it won’t be noticed and see how it works. Good luck!
This is so super-awesome. I need to do my WHOLE couch in baking soda and water. LOL. Do you know if it works on older stains??
It wouldn’t hurt to try. (And I waited over a month to tackle the nasty stains I showed in this post and it worked!)
You know, that’s a really good idea. I need to go do a check on my furniture and see if there is anything I can remove.
We have microfiber couches and this is so good to know! Do you have any problems with it leaving water rings behind?
Yes one time when I used too much water as I washed the baking soda off, but I just used the rubbing alcohol trick to clean that.
I know I’m super late to these posts, but, I have two boys, 4 & 2, who love to smear all kinds of junk on our microfiber couch. I’ve been toying with the idea of washing the covers in the washer before going further to spot-clean them. We’ve had this couch almost as long as our oldest child and I haven’t cleaned it once 🙁 I know, I’m a horrid housekeeper. I was thinking of using baking soda and vinegar in the washer to clean the covers first and then spot cleaning, after taking out of the washer. Have you tried anything like that before? I haven’t seen it done anywhere yet. I might just start with one of the throw pillows that came with the couch before moving on to the whole thing
My young son chose to use black magic marker to draw circles ALL OVER our light brown microsuede sectional. I figured I had nothing to lose so I took the covers off of the couch cushions and pillows, threw them INSIDE OUT into the wash, set the water for hot and used a Tide pod. When the covers came out of the washing machine, they were perfectly cleaned. I even put them in the dryer on high heat without any problems at all. Microsuede is the way to go! My couch has seen dogs, cats, kids, markers, even red wine and I’ve never had a stain to not come out!
That’s great, Erica! Thanks for the tip, especially about keeping them INSIDE out!
What would be the best way to get red candle wax out of a microfiber couch? I could really use some advice…please???
I’ve use Goo Gone on crayon and it worked great!!! I placed the goo gone on a rag vs applying directly to my couch when this happened to me and it left no stain. However, I would still test your furniture before hand on a hidden spot to make certain it didn’t change the color in yours.
I’ve used rubbing alcohol to remove water stains. But, they seem to just come back in a few months. Any suggestions?
I had grease from potato chips on my couch…….this worked…….one whole cusion on my couch was stained from potato chips where they were sat on……thank you so much for sharing an May God richly bless you!!!!
Thank you, Merlyn! I’m so glad this helped you and may God bless you too. 🙂
Melted ice cream and whipped cream fell and splattered on my rocking chair. I tried whipping down with warm water and it didn’t work. Next I tried dawn soap and it seems to have made it worse. I am going to try this solution to save my rocking chair.
Unfortunately I used this method (though i think I used too much water and did not get the remainder of the baking soda off well enough) and it had a lightening effect so my couch is much worse off than before. I am extremely sad and frustrated. 🙁