A Complete Guide to Cleaning a Faux Suede Couch

PDF download Download Article
Keep your faux suede sofa spotless with these tips
PDF download Download Article

Faux suede (which includes microfiber, Ultrasuede, and microsuede) tends to be very forgiving when it comes to keeping it clean. In most cases, you’ll have a variety of options when it comes to wiping up spills and removing stains—even if they’re caused by oils, inks, or paints. However, you do need to read the couch’s label before you grab a cleaner, even if you only want to use water. Keep reading for the best ways to remove pesky stains so you can have your faux suede couch back in tip-top shape!

Things You Should Know

  • Gently remove small stains using dish soap and water or baby wipes.
  • Use rubbing alcohol or a Magic Eraser for more stubborn stains.
  • Use baking soda to get rid of ink stains and cover up odors.
1

Check the couch’s tag to see what you can use.

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are a ton of different ways to manufacture faux suede, so it’s extremely important to figure out what category of cleaner you’re allowed to use. Dig around behind and underneath your cushions to find the tag. On that tag, there will be a big letter (or two); this letter is the cleaning code. [1] Here are what those letters on the label mean:
    • W – You can only use water-based solutions (i.e. dish soap and water), or water alone.
    • S – Water will leave a stain, so you must use a solvent (i.e. rubbing alcohol).
    • S-W – You can use solvents and/or water. Basically, the world is your oyster and you can use whatever you want.
    • X – You can use a vacuum, and that’s it. With an X label, you’re sort of stuck with stains unless you get the couch professionally cleaned.
    2. Advertisement
2

Vacuum your suede to clean up crumbs or dust.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Put the upholstery attachment onto your vacuum’s hose to do this. Those individual fibers on your faux suede couch may look like they’ll come loose from suction, but this is totally safe. Drag the hose over the dirty area to clean it. The brush may even restore the fiber’s nap! [2]
    • Stick the hose in between the cushions or seams to pull up any crumbs that have fallen in between.
    • Do this once every 2-3 months to keep your couch well-maintained.
3

Use baby wipes to clean or wipe stains gently.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Baby wipes are a safe way to soak up spills or wipe away stains. While they are soaked in water, there isn’t nearly enough water in them to make them a risky option for S couches (don’t use them on X couches, though). Keep a stack of baby wipes in your side table so you can grab them quickly if anyone ever spills in the future.
    • This may be a good way to clean up water stains as well!
    2. Advertisement
4

Reach for rubbing alcohol as a safe option.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If a quick wipe with a cloth or baby wipe doesn’t do the trick, fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray the stained or tainted area thoroughly. Then, use a clean sponge to wipe the area clean. Let the rubbing alcohol dissipate on its own when you’re done. [3]
    • Rubbing alcohol evaporates much faster than water, so you shouldn’t need to let the couch air out for too long.
5

Use dish soap for a water-based solution.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Grab a sponge or microfiber cloth , add a pea-sized squirt of dish soap, and lather it up. Work the dish soap into the stain using smooth circular motions until the discoloration or stain is gone. [4] Wipe the soapy residue up with a damp cloth. [5]
    • This is a pretty low-risk option. If you use water and you don’t have any success, try dish soap!
    2. Advertisement
6

Rub stubborn residue away with a Magic Eraser.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Grab a Magic Eraser , activate it with a little bit of water, and gently wipe any obnoxious residue off of your couch. [6] Use as little force as you possibly can—melamine, which is what Magic Erasers are made out of, can rip individual fibers out if you rub too hard.
    • Since you have to get the eraser damp to activate it, be extremely careful when trying this on S couches. It may be fine since you aren’t using enough water to really get the material super wet, but spot test just to be safe.
7

Use baking soda and water for ink or paint.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fill a small container with a dollop of baking soda and add a little bit of water. Mix it up, and add water as needed, until you develop a thick paste. Lay this paste over the stained area using your finger or a clean cloth. Use a cloth or sponge to work the paste into the area and then use a clean, damp rag to wipe the paste up. [7]
    • You may need to do this multiple times to fully lift the ink or paint out.
    2. Advertisement
8

Sprinkle baking soda over stains to cover up odors.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sprinkle the aromatic area with a spoonful or two of baking soda. Let it sit for as long as you’d like before vacuuming the baking soda up. Repeat the process if you still get a whiff of anything unpleasant from the area. [8]
    • The longer you leave the baking soda on the area, the more effective it will be. You may be able to remove the odor in as little as 15 minutes, although it can take 12-24 hours to remove stronger aromas.
    • You can also use white vinegar if you have a couch that can get water on it. [9]
9

Clean oil-based stains with ethanol.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Put on rubber gloves and grab a clean, white cloth. Pour a capful of ethanol into the cloth and gently blot the stain repeatedly. Continue doing this until the stain dissipates. Use a dry cloth to pat the excess ethanol up and let the area air dry. [10]
    • Ethyl alcohol is not the same thing rubbing or isopropyl alcohol. However, you can try using rubbing or isopropyl alcohol if you don’t have any ethyl alcohol available.
    2. Advertisement
10

Brush the couch to restore the nap.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The nap refers to the texture of the individual fibers. Grab a stiff fabric or suede brush and run it back and forth over the area you’ve just cleaned. This will wick the fibers up and restore your couch’s plush, comfortable texture.
    • Use a comb or dry sponge if the strands of fabric aren’t bouncing back to their original form with the brush.
11

Spot test any cleaning product you plan to use.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Even if a label says it’s okay to use a certain cleaner, strange things can happen with faux suede when you apply liquid depending on how it was made. Give yourself a little peace of mind by spot-testing any cleaner before you apply it to a soiled area. [11]
    • Just rub a pea-sized dollop of your cleaner of choice into the inconspicuous area and wait a few minutes. If there’s no discoloration or damage, you’re probably good to go.
    2. Advertisement
12

Soak up spills as soon as they happen.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Grab a microfiber cloth and soak up any spills as soon as you can. Blot the area with your towel (as opposed to rubbing back and forth) to avoid spreading the spill. This will prevent any spills from soaking into the fibers. [12]
    • If you have a couch that can get water on it, you can dampen your microfiber cloth with some water to make it more absorbent.
13

Spray the couch with a stain protector.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Scotchgard is the popular option, but any fabric protector that lists polyester or upholstery in the list of protected materials should work. Follow the directions on the label to apply the stain protector to your sofa.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If the covers for your faux suede couch are removable, wash them in a washing machine with cold water. Air dry the covers when you’re done. [13]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • If you’re couch shopping, stay away from lightly-colored faux suede. The oils from your hands and hair can discolor light suede, and sitting on a white couch in jeans can leave stains behind. [14]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Faux suede couches are not ideal if you have pets. A dog or cat can dig their claws into the suede and cause the individual strands to unravel, which will be unrepairable. [15]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Vomit Smell Out of a Couch
      How to
      Clean a Fabric Sofa Naturally (DIY Upholstery Cleaning Solutions)
      How to
      Clean Upholstery with a Steam Cleaner
      How to
      Clean a Sofa
      How to
      Clean Foam Couch Cushions
      How to
      Clean a Leather Sofa
      How to
      Fix Cracked Leather Seats
      How to
      Clean & Remove Stains from White Wood Furniture
      How to
      Clean the Inside & Outside of Office Chair Wheels
      How to
      Clean a Polyester Couch
      How to
      Properly Clean and Protect Pool Table Felt
      How to
      Clean a Vornado Fan
      How to
      Clean Laminate Cabinets
      How to
      Clean an Upholstered Chair
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about faux suede, check out our in-depth interview with Daniel Olin .

      References

      1. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      2. ↑ https://library.haworth.com/bin/haworth/downloadasset?path=/content/dam/digital/north-american-assets/surface-materials/resources/care-and-maintenance-standards.pdf
      3. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      4. ↑ Daniel Olin. Home Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.
      5. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      6. ↑ https://www.carpetcleaninglymm.co.uk/post/can-you-use-magic-erasers-on-carpet-upholstery-car-seats#:~:text=As%20long%20as%20it's%20a,don't%20oversoak%20the%20area .
      7. ↑ https://cooktopcove.com/2018/01/01/dont-give-up-on-your-microfiber-couch-here-are-6-cleaning-tips-that-will-have-it-looking-like-new-again/
      8. ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
      9. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      1. ↑ https://library.haworth.com/bin/haworth/downloadasset?path=/content/dam/digital/north-american-assets/surface-materials/resources/care-and-maintenance-standards.pdf
      2. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      3. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist
      4. ↑ https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_c/C229/index.html
      5. ↑ https://porchdaydreamer.com/how-to-clean-jean-stains-from-sofa-cushions/
      6. ↑ https://comfyliving.net/how-to-clean-suede-couch/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 43,166 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement