Wicker Furniture and Keeping it in Good Condition
In order to be able to clean your wicker furniture properly first you need to know whether the wicker material is man-made or natural.
If it is natural rattan or cane it is best not to use products to polish the furniture with just a damp cloth otherwise you may add a shine that just isn't going to look natural - many of the fashionable wicker chairs/sofas tend to be matt finished right now.
Synthetic/plastic materials will take cleaning products better and are less likely to have their 'finish' altered.
Like all your other upholstered household furniture, your cane or wicker items should be vacuumed regularly using a soft brush attachment on your hoover so as not to damage the wicker material.
It can be quite surprising how dusty your furniture can get, especially in a conservatory! Outdoor wicker furniture will need more than a quick hoover, once you have got rid of the surface dust, leaves, etc it is advisable to dilute a mild detergent in warm water and wash down the furniture with a soft cloth, then using an old toothbrush dipped into the cleaning water so you can get into every nook & cranny.
Once soaped up, the furniture can be rinsed off using a hose, then it is best to turn the furniture upside down to make sure all of the excess water runs off and then fully dry the wicker/cane with a clean towel.
If you want to ensure that your wicker furniture looks good for years just be careful where you put it.
If it is is the middle of the garden or in a south facing conservatory be warned that the summer sun will impact the fibres and can make them fade plus frost/freezing conditions of winter make lesser quality products brittle and even chip.
Also leaving furniture outside and uncovered can be a target for bird poop, especially if under trees and this can also mean the furniture being covered by falling berries, leaves and other debris which will make it much harder to clean successfully.
It is also a good idea to protect the furniture from the rain and snow, as although designed for outdoor use these can over time damage the wicker making it look less than beautiful.
Although this type of furniture is cheaper than it was you should always take precautions to keep it in tip top condition so that you don't need to replace it so soon!
If it is natural rattan or cane it is best not to use products to polish the furniture with just a damp cloth otherwise you may add a shine that just isn't going to look natural - many of the fashionable wicker chairs/sofas tend to be matt finished right now.
Synthetic/plastic materials will take cleaning products better and are less likely to have their 'finish' altered.
Like all your other upholstered household furniture, your cane or wicker items should be vacuumed regularly using a soft brush attachment on your hoover so as not to damage the wicker material.
It can be quite surprising how dusty your furniture can get, especially in a conservatory! Outdoor wicker furniture will need more than a quick hoover, once you have got rid of the surface dust, leaves, etc it is advisable to dilute a mild detergent in warm water and wash down the furniture with a soft cloth, then using an old toothbrush dipped into the cleaning water so you can get into every nook & cranny.
Once soaped up, the furniture can be rinsed off using a hose, then it is best to turn the furniture upside down to make sure all of the excess water runs off and then fully dry the wicker/cane with a clean towel.
If you want to ensure that your wicker furniture looks good for years just be careful where you put it.
If it is is the middle of the garden or in a south facing conservatory be warned that the summer sun will impact the fibres and can make them fade plus frost/freezing conditions of winter make lesser quality products brittle and even chip.
Also leaving furniture outside and uncovered can be a target for bird poop, especially if under trees and this can also mean the furniture being covered by falling berries, leaves and other debris which will make it much harder to clean successfully.
It is also a good idea to protect the furniture from the rain and snow, as although designed for outdoor use these can over time damage the wicker making it look less than beautiful.
Although this type of furniture is cheaper than it was you should always take precautions to keep it in tip top condition so that you don't need to replace it so soon!
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