Q: How do I care for my wicker/rattan?
A. Rattan is one of the most maintenance-free furniture materials in the world, requiring very little care when compared to other types of furniture.
To remove dust, use a soft brush or the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
To keep furniture looking its best and to protect the finish, wipe occasionally with a damp cloth followed by an application of good furniture polish. We find lemon oil to be an excellent polish for Rattan. Do not use lemon oil on white or whitewash finishes. For removal of body oils or dirt, we recommend Murphy's Oil Soap. If your rattan is a dark finish, Old English Scratch Cover is easy for small touch-up of scratches followed by a clear lacquer spray available from any hardware store. The clear lacquer is also perfect for touch up on natural finish. Small touch-up on the white or whitewash is easiest by brushing on a very small amount of correctly colored paint with the tip of a finger. For white wicker we recommend Krylon Glossy White spray paint.
If binding or wrap loosens, return it back to its original position after applying White Elmer's Glue to the area. Hold it in place while the glue is drying by covering the repaired area with plastic wrap and tightly wrapping tape over the plastic wrap. When dry, remove the tape and the wrap for an invisible repair.
As
you can see, there are no sophisticated materials or techniques needed for you
to maintain you rattan or wicker furniture for a lifetime.
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