Couches upholstered with microfiber are very attractive, and the velvety texture they have provides extra comfort.
That’s why these couches are one of the most loved parts of living rooms but could be the most expensive too. For this reason, owners want to keep them for longer use by maintaining them well.
However, if you have kids around, keeping your microfiber couch free from stains like those from markers is almost impossible.
In this article, we’ll give you useful insights on how to get marker out of microfiber couch safely to keep them looking good for years to come.
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Ways to Get Marker Out of Microfiber Couch
Though microfiber couches are made with tough materials, like any other upholstery, they need care when cleaning, especially when it comes to removing marker stains.
If you’re not meticulous, you might end up getting them permanently damaged. For now, sit back and relax as we give you a step-by-step guide for dealing with marker stains on a microfiber couch.
1. Highly Concentrated Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol works well in removing markers from almost all surfaces, including marker stains from upholstery.
It can get permanent marker off fabric, and it’s not a surprise that it can get permanent marker out of microfiber couch too.
What to prepare
- Concentrated Rubbing Alcohol (at least 91% purity)
- Spray bottle
- Clean Terry Cloth
- Transfer a small amount of alcohol into the spray bottle.
- Spray alcohol directly on the spot where the stain is. Do this on one couch section at a time.
- Scrub the wet area using a clean terry cloth.
- See if it works. If it does, continue working on the other portions. If not, proceed to the next method.
- Air dry the couch or use a hair blower to dry it more quickly.
Tip: If you have a suede couch, this method will also work.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide and Rubbing Alcohol
Marker stains should go away with rubbing alcohol, but if it doesn’t, then you might be using a less concentrated formula or the stain must have been on your couch longer than you know.
With the added power of hydrogen peroxide, you should be able to get rid of dry erase marker or pen ink in no time. This method can be safely used for removing ink from microfiber.
What to prepare
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Clean Towels
- Pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide on the clean towel.
- Rub the wet towel on the spot to get pen off microfiber couch. This should start fading the ink stain.
- On another clean towel, pour some alcohol and rub gently to clean pen off couch completely.
- Use another clean towel to pat the surface dry.
3. Water And Baking Soda
Aside from pumping up the volume of baked goods, baking soda has been a household name when it comes to cleaning tough stains and undoubtedly can get Sharpie out of microfiber couch.
Other than microfiber couches, this method is also best for Crayola marker, red marker, and other notorious pen stains on fabric couch or fabric sofa.
What to prepare
- Water
- Baking Soda
- Spray bottle
- Soft Brush or sponge
- Clean Towel
- Load the spray bottle with water.
- Spray water on the affected area just enough to wet it, but be careful not to soak it.
- Pour a small amount of baking soda on a soft brush or sponge.
- Lightly scrub the affected area to remove permanent marker from microfiber couch.
- Wipe the surface with a clean towel to pick up the excess powder.
- Let the fabric dry.
4. Magic Eraser, Dish Soap, and Vinegar
Magic eraser alone is a powerful cleaning tool, and if you pair it with a bit of dish soap and vinegar, you have a perfect recipe for microfiber stain removal.
What to prepare
- Magic Eraser
- Dish Soap (1 tbsp.)
- Vinegar (1 tbsp.)
- Water (2 cups)
- Mixing Bowl
- Clean Towels
- In a bowl, mix the dish soap, vinegar, and water to make a cleaning solution.
- Dip the clean cloth in the bowl with the cleaning solution and use it to remove the stains. Proceed to soak up all soap residuals after you’re done scrubbing.
- Rub the Magic eraser on microfiber couch to remove all marks that the cleaning solution didn’t pick up.
- As soon as the ink lifts off the couch, wipe the surface with a clean towel. These steps should get the sharpie out of the microfiber couch completely.
Helpful Tips
1. Know your microfiber couch cleaning code
To determine the most suitable method for cleaning your couch fabric, look for the product’s cleaning code. It could be W, S, W/S, or X.
- Code W – means that you can use any water-based cleaner to clean your couch.
- Code S – the sofa should be dry-cleaned only or suits a solvent-based cleaning agent.
- Code S/W – you can either dry clean or use a water-based cleaning solution.
- Code X – stick to brushing or vacuuming only; avoid chemicals.
2. Test before cleaning
Once you know what type of cleaning method is most appropriate for your microfiber couch, prepare the materials and look for an inconspicuous spot where you can test the cleaner.
Testing is done to see if your chosen tool would cause harm like color transfer or fading.
3. Use a fabric protector
After cleaning your microfiber couch, the next big step that you must do to prevent any ink stain mishap again is to protect it.
You can use any fabric protecting product such as Scotchgard. It will serve as a built-in coating that repels water and stains. If marker stains happen, you can easily wipe them off without a fuss.
4. Keep it soft and smooth
After cleaning, microfiber can get stiff when you touch it. To keep it soft and smooth again, gently glide a dry sponge over it.
This process will untangle the fibers and can help make your microfiber couch as fluffy as before.
Conclusion
Cleaning marker stains could be painstaking, but not when you are certain about what to do. Just check the cleaning code and pick one of the methods we described above.
I’m sure you will determine how to get marker out of microfiber couch easily.
But before you start cleaning, do not forget to test the fabric first, and later, when it is finally clean, it’s highly recommended to use a fabric protector.
Doing so will save you from worrying about stains, plus it will keep the couch looking good for a longer period.
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