Now that the summer season is almost here and the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to bring out your favorite outdoor furniture. Get ready to enjoy those wonderful days and nights spending time on your outdoor patio or backyard.
If your patio furniture is of the rattan wicker variety, cleaning and caring for it the right way could extend its life, enhance its beauty and help you get the most out of your investment. Here are some tips on how to properly clean your outdoor rattan furniture.
What Makes Rattan Furniture Popular?
Rattan furniture is enduringly popular, and for good reason. Rattan is a type of vine and a close relative to the palm tree. It is used extensively for making baskets and furniture.
The classic woven rattan wicker pattern is easy to spot and instantly recognizable. It has a sophisticated and stylish appearance and adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space.
Rattan furniture is lightweight while yet also durable, making it the perfect choice for outdoor furniture. When the outdoor patio season is over, you can simply pick up the rattan furniture and put it in your garden shed or garage for the cold winter months.
Quick Spring Cleaning
When it’s time to bring that outdoor furniture out of hibernation, you will want to give it a good cleaning. Even the most airtight shed or garage can harbor hidden dust and dirt. Cleaning it properly is the best way to prevent damage to the delicate fibers that make up the rattan furniture.
Giving your rattan outdoor furniture a good spring cleaning is not difficult or time consuming. Just start by filling a bowl with water, then add a few drops of a mild dishwashing detergent and stir until bubbles have formed. Wet a soft cloth in the bubbles, then use those bubbles to clean the rattan surface. Cleaning with the bubbles only provides just the right amount of moisture without getting the delicate surface too wet.
Use an old soft-bristled toothbrush or a soft shoeshine brush for spot cleaning and removing dirt from crevices. Again, dip the cleaning brush only in the sudsy bubbles for best results. Don’t forget to remove any cushions and clean them separately according to their manufacturer’s instructions.
Cleaning the Furniture Regularly
Once the rattan outdoor furniture has had its initial spring cleaning, you can keep it looking great by dusting with a soft cloth, microfiber duster, or feather duster about once a week. You can also vacuum the furniture by using a brush attachment. Just be sure to set the suction to its lowest level to avoid damage to the furniture.
Rattan furniture can have a lot of nooks and crannies that can collect dirt and dust. For heavier dirt in those nooks and crannies, you can use an old soft-bristled toothbrush as mentioned above.
Outdoor furniture is exposed to dirt, dust, and wind which could cause buildup of grime that can slowly degrade the furniture. That is why it’s important to clean your outdoor rattan furniture regularly when it’s note in storage. Certain materials like plastic can be just hosed down with water quickly but rattan furniture needs more care if you want to maintain the integrity of the furniture.
Deeper Cleaning and Restoration
If your rattan patio furniture has seen better days, you may need to do more than a quick spring cleaning. Fortunately, rattan furniture generally responds well to this kind of restoration, so do not fret if your patio pieces have not wintered as well as you hoped.
To clean mold and mildew, you can use a mixed solution of equal parts of chlorine bleach and water. Make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. You can dip a soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush in the bleach-water solution to clean the affected areas. Then rinse the furniture by wiping it down with a sponge soaked with plain water. Dry the furniture with a towel to prevent it from soaking excessive moisture.
To keep your rattan furniture in top shape, it is also important to oil it regularly. This will prevent excessive drying, splitting, and fading. To restore cracked, dry or split rattan furniture pieces, you will need to buy some linseed oil, along with a good brush. Just boil the linseed oil and apply it liberally with the brush. Continue to apply boiled linseed oil until the furniture cannot absorb any more of the liquid, then use a soft cloth to wipe it clean.
You can apply additional linseed oil to the rattan patio furniture as needed. Just make sure the previous coat has dried completely before applying any additional oil. A slightly damaged piece may require only a single application, while severely split or cracked patio furniture may need multiple coats before returning to its former luster.
Rattan patio furniture is valued for its light weight, its beauty and its durability. If you are in the market to purchase a new rattan furniture, you can check out these rattan furniture deals. Otherwise, regularly maintaining your rattan outdoor furniture is essential to keeping it beautiful, strong, and resilient. If you care for your rattan patio furniture properly and clean it regularly, you can look forward to season after season of outdoor fun and enjoyment.
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