Asked on Jul 13, 2018 How do you clean vintage Hayward Whitfield Rattan furniture with out w. Answer. Do not over-saturate the rattan with water. The process is more or less the same for artificial rattan, but you don't have to be so careful with your use of water. Because of the construction techniques used for rattan furniture, there are lots of nooks and crannies that can collect dust and dirt. When the furniture won’t absorb any more oil, wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Every now and then after you have cleaned your rattan dining table and chairs, it is recommended that you apply a coat of a lacquer. After dusting, treating stains and mildew, and cleaning with detergent suds, allow the rattan to dry completely. Dry rattan furniture well. Sunny days (AKA when Tammy from The Cultivated Home can enjoy her natural-rattan Malou Dining Chair outside without worry).. Don’t: Let dust build-up. Vintage rattan furniture is getting harder to come by, so if you happen to run across a nice piece at a garage sale, you might want to snap it up and take it home for restoration. Fill a bowl with warm water, mixing in washing up liquid to use as a light cleaning agent. Rotate furniture to prevent excessive fading on one side from the sun. At least once a year, inspect the furniture for splits in the fibers and mold and mildew growth especially if the rattan pieces have been outdoors. Once a year, all cushions should be removed, the furniture inspected for problems, and the rattan conditioned. Place rubber caps or felt pads under each leg to prevent excessive wear and splitting. Do: Wipe regularly with a soft cloth. Pull through with a fine-nosed pair of pliers. Boiled linseed oil is available at most hardware stores. When the rattan furniture is completely dry, coat it … Clean the surface regularly. To restore dry, cracked, or split rattan, apply boiled linseed oil with a brush. Once the solids are removed, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the area and allow the rattan to air-dry. Use a toothbrush to remove any build-up in the weaving. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Scrub down the entire piece of furniture, allowing the water to soak into the fibers of the wood. Known for their elegant woven appearance, outdoor rattan furniture is a homeowner’s dream come true. Thanks, Mom + How To Restore Rattan Furniture, How to Remove Oil Stains from Tile and Grout, How to Remove Paint from Metal and Wicker, The Best Air-Cleaning Plants For Your Home, “Empty The Garden Centers” – A Call To Clean The Air In Response to the Amazon Fires, Natural Liquid-Free Way to Clean Your Phone on the Go for Cheap. Rattan garden furniture has an aluminium frame protected with a powder coating. Best way to go about cleaning and restoring your Rattan or Wicker furniture is to first start with a good clean. Place rubber stoppers under the legs of rattan. Allow it to dry or harden before using the rattan again. Around this frame is woven a high-quality synthetic wicker ‘thread’. However, the proper use of water keeps the piece clean. Unless the rattan is overly-wet, allow it to air-dry. Cut the old strands out back to good cane. Make sure the tighter weave is to the top. (You do not actually boil it yourself. Measure a generous length of new material to fill the gap and soak in water for 30 – 45 minutes to soften; this makes it easier to weave. Take the time to clean away problems and recondition the fibers. Rinse the piece very well with clean, warm water. If there are solids involved, use a spoon or dull knife to lift them away from the rattan. A vintage rattan chair or furniture left in storage a long time may have a musty smell. The use of rattan furniture’s as an indoor and outdoor fixture has come a long way and date back as early as the 18th century. Victorian society had a hatred of germs and rattan was seen at being a clean alternative to upholstered furniture. Probably the worst pieces of furniture to clean are those that are outdoors. Put a small amount of water on a brush, then brush the rattan. Use upholstered cushions in rattan seats to help distribute the sitter's weight and prevent sagging. Water can both help and hurt vintage rattan. You can also use a vacuum if easier. 2. All wicker patio furniture will last longer and r… ). To clean your outdoor rattan garden furniture you simply need to follow these steps: Use a hand brush to gently brush down the material to remove any surface dirt and grime. The reason that I began upgrading to synthetic (resin or PVC) woven furniture is that I transitioned to needing dedicated outdoor pieces, and synthetic was so much easier to clean. It was comfortable and forgiving, and it looked great on my three-season sunroom. The cushion helps keep the material from cracking or splitting. In America manufacturers began producing rattan furniture during the mid 1800s. weathered dirt and grime. Avoid excessive humidity and excessively low humidity for well-maintained fibers. To restore dry, cracked, or split rattan, apply boiled linseed oil with a brush. To restore rattan that has been neglected, rub just the suds from a gentle cleaner or oil soap swished in water on the furniture with a soft cloth. If the furniture has been outside, check for mold and mildew, which usually occurs on the legs of the piece. Frequently rinse the cleaning cloth in fresh water and wring until only slightly damp. NEVER rub because that will push the matter deeper into the woven fibers. If you are applying the same colour finish as before, use two thin coats and allow to dry again between coats. Use a soft cloth and water to gently wipe down all surfaces of wicker to remove dirt and retain shine. Wearing gloves, dip a soft cloth in the bleach solution and apply to the mildewed area. Answered. Warping; Rattan is quite a pliant material, so if it is wet or receives excess stress, it can become warped. Cleaning either type is the best way to keep it looking good, but cleaning methods vary somewhat for natural and resin materials. Dip a microfiber cloth into the suds and starting at the top of the rattan piece, wipe down the furniture. Honestly, it would be a bit spooky if you didn’t find any dirt or dust on your outdoor pieces. How to Remove Rotten Food Odor from House. Use a toothbrush to remove any build-up in the weaving. Clean & Restore Rattan/Wicker. When your natural wicker furniture becomes dirty and will not clean up with regular vacuuming, you need to get a little more serious about your cleaning method. Wipe the rattan with the bubbles. Repeat this with clean water and dry the furniture well with a cloth. Fill a gallon bucket with warm water and a dab of dish soap. Mary has been writing professionally for more than 20 years and is a leading expert on fabric care and housekeeping. Skim the suds off the top of the water with a soft cloth and then wipe … The pieces are lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly. Vacuum cleaning it every week will be enough to keep the dust at bay. Dampen a microfiber cloth and put just a drop of dishwashing liquid on the cloth. This will prevent excessive soil build-up in the weaving. Clean the furniture first by scrubbing in the crevices with a soft brush then using the brush attachment on your vacuum to clean out all the dust. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt from rattan garden furniture. Dip a microfiber cloth into the suds and starting at the top of the rattan piece, wipe down the furniture. Add a few drops of dish detergent and stir to agitate until bubbles form on the surface. For cleaning, tilt or lean the piece against a wall. To get into the small gaps you can use a toothbrush which is dipped into the liquid too. Before beginning the thorough yearly cleaning, follow the steps for weekly and monthly cleaning. History of Rattan Furniture. Rattan furniture left out in the rain or snow becomes subject to rot. Use a paper towel or old cloth to blot away liquid stains. A soft-bristled toothbrush is an excellent tool to remove dust build-up in corners. Agitate the water until suds form on the surface. Place four cups of warm water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a bucket or bowl. If there is excess water, use a soft cloth to dry the furniture. As always, begin by cleaning the piece and letting it dry completely. Allow it to dry or harden before using the rattan again. Make sure you use BOILED linseed oil. Clean woven rattan garden furniture. Natural rattan or cane conservatory furniture will fade if placed in strong sunlight, but unlike synthetic rattan this can be restored to almost pristine condition. 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