How to Clean and Protect Rattan Garden Furniture in Every Season
Rattan garden furniture is perfect for making your garden, patio or balcony setting up to be cozy and comfortable enough to enjoy with morning coffee, family mealtimes as well as quiet evenings when you can just sit outside and relax. Outdoor furniture is obviously used in harsher conditions than indoor furniture. It is exposed to the sun, rain and even dew, to dirt and dust, to spills and stains from food and drink and to damp in the air. All these can soon leave their mark on your patio furniture. But with a little care your rattan furniture will look clean and be ready for use all the time.
Joye Leisure has more than 20 years experience in outdoor living and has a wide product range of wicker furniture, open frame furniture, outdoor shading, camping, beach products, barbecues, garden heating and garden accessories. They deliver to over 45 countries and serve more than 200 professional retailers from a 1200 m² garden-style showroom.
When buying outdoor furniture, there are many more aspects than just good looks. Frame strength, quality of weaving, quality of cushions, careful packing and good service are all important. Here you can view the outdoor furniture range of Joye Leisure for more information on products.
Why Does Rattan Garden Furniture Need Seasonal Care?
Rattan garden furniture is left outside and is subject to lots of little changes from day to day. One day it could be hot and dry and the next day it could be raining, windy or covered in damp leaves. Dirt can get into the weave of the rattan and if not cleared periodically, water can gather in the joints of the frame.
Sun, Rain, and Dirt Are the Main Problems
Ultraviolet from strong sun can cause surfaces to fade, stains from rain can penetrate into fabric and dirt from wet leaves can penetrate into crevices and leave permanent stains if left for days. It is very important to follow simple routine cleaning tips for outdoor furniture. Saving 5 minutes after every rain shower or after every dinner to wipe down furniture could save so much time in the long run.
How to Clean Rattan Garden Furniture Properly?
Cleaning rattan should be a gentle process. No strong cleaners or rough equipment are needed and in fact could do more harm than good.
Start With Dry Cleaning
Use a soft brush, a dry cloth or a vacuum brush to remove debris from patio furniture. Clean in the weave, not against it. Pay particular attention to corners, chair arms and the lower edge of the furniture. This is where debris such as dust, sand, leaves and pet hair tend to collect.
Wash With Mild Soapy Water
To clean rattan furniture, first, mix some warm water with some mild soap. Then, use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the rattan furniture. For really small gaps in the rattan, you can use a soft toothbrush to clean. Never use bleach or harsh cleaners, and try to avoid using rough pads too. Also, when you are cleaning the glass tabletop of your outdoor rattan furniture, make sure to clean the glass separately so the dirty water doesn’t run back into the woven frame of the rattan.
Dry Before Covering
Dry your rattan furniture and keep it clean with these simple tips. Don’t ever cover up damp or wet rattan furniture. Allow the weave and the frame to completely dry out in the fresh air. Remove any cushions and dry them individually. Always store your cushions indoors when not in use. For example, the rattan sofa set shown on this page can be kept in good condition with these simple steps and from time to time give it a clean with a brush to remove any dirt etc. For more information on how to clean and maintain your furniture see Joye Leisure patio furniture care tips for daily cleaning and maintenance.
How to Protect Rattan Garden Furniture From Weather?
Protection from the sun, insects, and rain means shading, good airflow and keeping everything dry. Does not have to be difficult, but needs to be done frequently.
Use Covers the Right Way
Outdoor furniture covers can be used to protect your furniture from rain, dust, leaves and bird droppings. Where possible choose a cover that is breathable as a completely sealed plastic cover can hold moisture which can be bad for your cushions and frame parts.
Keep Cushions Indoors During Bad Weather
Outdoor patio furniture cushions add comfort to your outdoor furniture, but they require a little extra care. Store the cushions in the house during periods of heavy rain, winter or for long periods of time where they will not be used. If the cushions have removable covers, wash them as directed by the manufacturer’s care label.
Add Shade When Possible
Using a parasol, gazebo, pergola or a covered patio will help to reduce very strong sunlight during the summer. This is particularly useful to create a garden seating area, a poolside area or to turn an open patio into a covered patio.
How Should You Care for Rattan Furniture in Each Season?
Instead of waiting for damage to appear, by doing seasonal furniture maintenance you deal with the real weather. The maintenance will be light and will change with the seasons.
Spring Care
Before you can start using your rattan garden furniture for all the busy outdoor things you want to do with it, give it a good going over. Clean off any surface dirt, remove any cobwebs and take off any dead leaves that may have accumulated. Check for any areas where the weaving may have come loose, for any scratches, stains or wear marks from cushions etc. If you are planning an outdoor dining area, a rattan dining set is the most common choice to use in gardens, on balconies, terraces etc for casual eating and drinking.
Summer Care
Summer is the time when we use our furniture the most. Remove immediately any drink marks, sunscreen stains, and food spills. Periodically move chairs on a patio or deck to ensure that one side does not receive all of the sun.
Autumn Care
Clear leaves promptly as they can damage the fabric by marking the weave and by remaining wet for long periods. Just before the wet weeks arrive, wash and dry your furniture covers and check that they still fit.
Winter Care
Winter garden furniture storage is best undertaken in a dry shed, garage or other covered space. If you are unable to store your outdoor furniture in a building then make sure you store it in a way that lifts the furniture up from the wet ground. Cover with a breathable cover and check every few weeks or so for signs of trapped damp which can penetrate into the furniture and cause all sorts of problems. Yes, it all sounds a bit fiddly, but better than the hassle of restoring furniture that has developed mildew or worse!
What Common Cleaning Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Never use a pressure washer on delicate rattan. Never use bleach on rattan furniture. Never drag chairs over rough stone as the legs and joints of the frame can get damaged. Always repair small cracks in the rattan and any loose strands. It’s much easier to repair these than to replace the whole set of furniture.
Maintaining garden furniture that is left outside all year around is not hard to do. It just needs to be cleaned regularly, left to dry, covered from time to time and cushions stored correctly. Your rattan garden furniture will then be ready and waiting to be used on a regular basis and will look great all year around.
Joye Leisure offer long lasting outdoor furniture for gardens, patios, balconies and other leisure spaces including wicker furniture, open frame furniture, shading, camping, beach and garden.
FAQ
Q1: Can Rattan Garden Furniture Be Left Outside All Year?
A: Yes Synthetic rattan garden furniture can be left outside all year round provided that it is covered when not in use. It still needs to be cleaned and allowed to dry from time to time and also to have good airflow. It is also wise to bring in cushions and throws during very bad weather.
Q2: How do you clean rattan garden furniture?
A:Use soft brush to clean first then use mild soapy water to wipe down. Use soft toothbrush to scrub through woven gaps and allow time to dry before storing.
Q3. How often should outdoor furniture and decorations be cleaned?
A:During peak season light cleaning every 1 to 2 weeks will suffice to remove all dirt, dust and stains from constant use. The furniture should be given a deep clean at the start and end of the peak outdoor season.
Q4: How Do You Protect Outdoor Patio Furniture From Rain?
A: Use breathable outdoor furniture covers. Position furniture on dry surface. Remove cushions. Do Not Cover Furniture Frame while wet.
Q5. Can Sunlight Damage Rattan Garden Furniture?
A:Yes. Long sun exposure can cause fading and wear to the surface of your rattan garden furniture. Protect your rattan garden furniture in summer with shade, good quality covers and regular cleaning.
