Rattan wicker furniture with natural look is an option for your terrace furniture or other parts of the house. However, the woven design can make you difficult to clean. Dirt and dust can get stuck in the webbing. To care for and maintain its look, rattan furniture needs to be cleaned regularly. Here’s how to clean rattan furniture. This method can also applied to other natural wicker furniture or synthetic wicker.

Natural wicker including rattan can become weak and damaged if it is often exposed to moisture. It is better to put it in a closed area such as the porch. Regular maintenance can help keep your furniture looking great for years to come.

Remove dust regularly
Wicker rattan can trap dust and dirt. Regular dusting with a microfiber cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment will help keep the dust under control.

Wash it
Wetting the rattan webbing isn’t really the problem. It’s the repeated wetting and drying that can cause problems. You can use a mild liquid detergent in warm water to clean the soiled areas, then rinse with clean water.

Clean the mold
Mold is a common problem in outdoor furniture, but it’s fairly easy to clean. You can use a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to get rid the mold and mildew on wicker. Gently scrubbing the furniture before drying it.

Leave it to dry completely
Do not put any weight on the furniture until it is completely dry. Your rattan furniture will loosen when it gets wet and tighten when it dries. So, any load on it can cause it change. Fans, sunlight, or a gentle breeze can help the furniture dry faster.

Conditioner
Unpainted indoor rattan will look new for years if you moisturize it with conditioner, mineral oil or linseed oil. For the oil, rub it with a white cloth and let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Reapply it for even layer.

Remove dirt immediately
Clean furniture when it is exposed to dirt so as to prevent it to not too difficult to clean. This will minimize thorough cleaning needs.

–sh