Check the code first
Like any upholstery, a microfiber couch carries a cleaning code on the tag, usually under a cushion. Most microfiber is coded S, which means solvent only — water will stain it and leave rings. Some are W (water-based cleaner is fine) or WS (either), so confirm before you reach for anything wet. On an S fabric, plain water is the enemy.
Vacuum first
Before any cleaner, vacuum the whole couch with the upholstery attachment — the cushions, the seams, under the cushions and the back — to pull out crumbs, dust and pet hair. Cleaning over loose soil just smears it in, so this dry step does a lot of the work and is the only step an X-code fabric should get.
Clean an S-code microfiber with rubbing alcohol
For the common S fabric, pour isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into a spray bottle, mist a section lightly — do not soak it — and work it with a clean white sponge or soft brush, which lifts the dirt as the alcohol evaporates. Because alcohol dries fast and leaves no water ring, it is the safe choice for microfiber — just open a window while you work, as rubbing alcohol is flammable and its fumes build up in a closed room. Use a white sponge so no colour transfers, and let each section dry before judging it.
Clean a W-code microfiber with a little soapy water
If the tag reads W or WS, a few drops of mild, clear dish soap in warm water on a cloth works — keep the fabric barely damp, blot rather than rub, and blot again with a clean damp cloth to lift the soap. Still use the least moisture you can; the aim on any microfiber is to clean the surface without wetting the padding.
Restore the nap, and deodorise
Microfiber dries looking flat and stiff where you cleaned it, which alarms people — it is just the nap. Once it is fully dry, brush it in a circular motion with a soft, dry brush or sponge and the plush feel comes back. For smells, sprinkle baking soda over the cushions, leave it an hour or more, and vacuum it off. For an all-over clean or a set stain you would rather not risk, an upholstery professional cleans to the fabric type.