Our friends at Balsa have put together this care guide for your rattan and wicker pieces. They work exclusively with these materials, so consider this expert advice!
Rattan is as beautiful as it is durable, most rattan furniture only needs basic cleaning and care to preserve its natural strength and color. Keep in mind, rattan and wicker pieces are generally designed to be used indoors only. Some outdoor usage can be tolerated but avoid prolonged exposure to the elements. Follow these steps to keep your rattan pieces looking as beautiful for years to come.
Clean Gently-
Dust your rattan furniture regularly with a soft cloth. Never use paint thinners or abrasive creams to clean wicker or rattan cane furniture. If necessary, you can use a damp cloth with a mild furniture cleaner, but be careful not to soak the furniture.
Dry Wet Rattan Furniture Well-
If your rattan or wicker furniture does become over saturated, dry outdoors in the sunlight, if possible. The natural plant material will generally return to its original shape. Take care not to bend it while wet.
Treat Mildew Immediately-
If mildew or mold begins to grow on the surface of your rattan or wicker furniture, use a strong bleach diluted in soapy water to clean the affected areas. The furniture should then be immediately dried outdoors, preferably in sunlight.
Rotate Rattan Furniture-
Natural fibers can fade in strong sunlight. This is a natural process and not necessarily bad. However, if possible, rotate furniture throughout your space on a regular basis so as to evenly distribute the fading.
Humidify-
Natural plant fibers also require a certain level of humidity so as not to dry out and split. Keep rattan and wicker furniture away from areas of extreme heat (radiators, heating vents, etc.) as this can warp or overly dry it out. If you live in a particularly dry area, add moisture to the air in your space with a humidifier.
Oil Rattan Furniture-
If splitting has occurred due to excessive dryness, the best thing to do to prevent further damage is to treat the rattan or cane with tung or boiled linseed oil and raise the humidity level of the space.
We hope you found this care guide useful! If you are still experiencing problems with your rattan or wicker furniture or have other questions related to caring for your pieces, please email hello@cachausa.com and we will work with you to find a solution for your specific problem.
