Harts Furniture Frequently Asked Questions

 

Discover the most frequently asked questions we receive here at Harts Furniture. Whether you want advice on how to take care of your garden furniture or tips and tricks on the best ways to protect your furniture from the summer heat, find out more in our FAQ section.

Of course, if you cannot find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you with your query.

Most Commonly Asked Questions about Outdoor Furniture

Buying outdoor furniture for the summer is one of the best investments you can make for your garden, but it does raise a few questions. We answer the most commonly asked questions that come with outdoor furniture.

 

Can I Keep Rattan Furniture Outside in Winter?

Yes, rattan furniture can be left outside all year round, including during winter when temperatures are cold.

Rattan is designed to be weatherproof, so it can survive heat, cold and rainfall.

However, rattan should be covered during winter when left outside. This protects the wicker, paintwork and weatherproof layer, which prolongs the life of your furniture and prevents the need for routine cleaning.

 

Does Rattan Garden Furniture Need a Cover?

A huge benefit of rattan furniture is its weatherproof coating and low maintenance care requirements, meaning you can leave rattan outdoors year-round with minimal cleaning needed.

However, we recommend using a cover when the rattan is not in use to protect it from the elements, reduce cleaning and ensure your furniture lasts a long time.

When a rattan rain cover is not used, dirt can build up over time, which can damage the paintwork and lead to more frequent cleaning.

Freezing temperatures and prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and rainfall can disrupt the protective weatherproof layer over the years.

Using a cover, especially during winter and on really hot days, can prolong the life of rattan and reduce the need for routine cleaning.

Learn more about how to protect rattan garden furniture in winter.

 

Can Rattan Furniture Be Left Uncovered?

Yes, rattan furniture can be left uncovered, but we recommend keeping it covered when it’s not in use, regardless of the season.

Wet, windy and freezing temperatures can reduce the lifespan of rattan, so it’s important to keep it covered during autumn and winter.

Extreme heat and intense UV rays can also cause rattan to fade after prolonged exposure, so keeping it covered when not in use will preserve its colour for longer.

 

Can Rattan Furniture Get Wet?

Rattan furniture is designed to be weatherproof, so it can be exposed to rainwater and drink spillages. The furniture can also be cleaned with a hose on a low-pressure setting.

With that being said, you should not jet wash rattan furniture or use any other high-pressure washer on rattan garden furniture. These cleaners are too abrasive and cause the paintwork on rattan to chip or flake.

Learn more about how to clean rattan furniture.

However, rattan furniture should not be left out in the rain frequently. When large amounts of water pool on rattan, it can cause the material to bode over time. Prolonged exposure can also cause the material to weaken and the colour to fade.

Keeping rattan furniture sets covered when it rains and/or whenever the furniture is not in use protects the material during damp weather and helps it last longer.

When using a rattan rain cover, try to position it so that water has a way of running off the material, rather than pooling on the top. Heavy pools of water left on the surface can stretch or damage the rain cover over time.

 

Does Rattan Garden Furniture Fade in the Sun?

Our rattan furniture sets have UV protection, so they are designed to be enjoyed in summer when the weather is nice.

Although rare in the UK, extreme heat and sunshine can damage rattan, causing the weatherproof layer and colouring to fade. This only happens after prolonged exposure, not a day or two in the sunshine during use.

We recommend covering your furniture during intense sunshine when it’s not in use.

 

General Rattan Furniture Care Advice

Below is a selection of the most commonly asked questions about the general care of our rattan furniture. By following the advice given you can ensure that your furniture lasts as long as possible.

 

Rattan furniture is easy to care for and can last between 5 and 20 years when looked after properly. In order to keep your rattan looking nice year-round, follow these care tips:

To keep your rattan looking nice year-round, follow these care tips:

• Ensure you sweep food crumbs off seats after use to keep insects away

• Don’t allow wine glasses or drinking glasses to stay on your rattan for long periods to prevent cup rings

• Avoid hanging reflective ornaments nearby to prevent concentrated sunlight on areas of the rattan (causing fading)

• Cover furniture overnight, before rainfall, in extremely hot weather and during winter/autumn

• Store cushions indoors or in a Harts Cushion Storage Bag after use

• Wipe cushions clean with a damp cloth or machine wash at 30 degrees

• Lift furniture instead of dragging when moving to prevent damage to the feet

 

How Do I Protect My Rattan Furniture?

Synthetic rattan (also known as PE rattan or polyethene) requires zero maintenance. This is unlike natural wicker, which requires routine oiling to protect the wood from external elements.

Using a cover when the furniture is not in use is the best way to protect rattan from dirt and debris. If necessary, clean rattan furniture with a hose or bucket of water. Never use a jetwash or pressure washer on rattan.

If a deep clean is required, use a soft cloth or sponge and soapy water. Don’t use harsh chemicals, like bleach, or coarse scrubbing pads on rattan.

The best way to protect rattan furniture is to use a tailor-fit furniture cover after use.

 

Cleaning Rattan Furniture Advice
By regularly cleaning your rattan furniture when needed, you ensure it stays in the best possible condition for you and your family to enjoy. Below are some tips on how to clean your furniture effectively and prevent any issues from arising in the future.

How Do I Clean Rattan Furniture?

Cleaning rattan garden furniture should be infrequent. Provided a rattan cover is used, the furniture shouldn’t need cleaning often. Should you need to clean your furniture in the event of things such as drinks spillages, bird droppings or cobwebs occurring, here is how to clean your rattan furniture properly.

Equipment you’ll need when cleaning rattan furniture:

• A soft brush
• A hoover (optional)
• A bowl of warm, soapy water
• A cloth or sponge
• A garden hose or bucket of water

To clean rattan furniture, follow the steps below:

1. Remove all cushions and store them out of the splash zone
2. Brush off any debris like soil, leaves or dust
3. Use a hoover to remove debris in hard-to-reach areas (optional)
4. Gently wipe the rattan using warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge
5. Rinse any bubbles with your garden hose or a bucket of water

Allow the furniture to dry naturally in the sun or use a cloth to wipe it down.

Make sure the rattan is dry before installing a rain cover, especially during hot weather, to avoid mould forming on the underside of the cover.

 

How Do I Get Rid of Mould on Cushion Covers?

Cushions can become mouldy if left in humid conditions. This happens if cushions are left under rattan furniture covers or kept outside year-round.

When rattan cushions become mouldy, they can easily be cleaned. To get rid of mould from cushion covers:

• Remove the cushion covers
• Spray mild mould remover or vinegar and leave for several minutes
• Wash in the washing machine on a gentle cycle on a cold or 30-degree wash
• Allow to air dry indoors or in the shade

Don’t tumble dry cushion covers after washing or exposure to rainfall.

Excessive heat can damage the waterproof membrane. This can impact how well water runs off the cushions when drinks are spilt or after mild rain exposure.

When cushion covers have been damaged or dirtied beyond repair, swap them for replacement cushion covers.

 

Can You Use a Pressure Washer to Clean Rattan Furniture?

You should not use any high-pressure washer on rattan garden furniture.

These cleaners are too abrasive and cause the paintwork on rattan to chip or flake. They can also remove the protective weatherproof layer applied to your rattan.

Instead, use a hose on a low-pressure setting or a bucket of water to clean rattan.

Learn more about how to clean rattan furniture.

 

Is Rattan Garden Furniture Weatherproof?

One of the reasons rattan furniture is so popular is because it looks nice, needs little maintenance and is weatherproof.

Rattan is designed to be used outdoors, so it can withstand the sun, wind and rain.

However, rattan is not resilient to every natural event. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, intense sun, and frequent exposure to rain can cause the material to bend, weaken and fade over time.

Using a rain cover can protect rattan from the elements and help it last longer.

 

How Do I Stop Rattan from Blowing Away?

Rattan furniture is generally strong and sturdy, so it shouldn’t blow away in the wind. However, strong winds can cause chairs to move around the garden.

Frequent movement can cause damage to the legs of rattan furniture.

Use a tailor-fit rain cover with a Velcro or tie to keep your rattan furniture together and prevent it from moving around the garden or falling over during strong winds.

If you live in a very windy area, or the National Weather Service has issued a “damaging high wind” warning, move rattan furniture indoors or place bricks on the floor around the cover (not on top of the rattan) to secure the furniture in place.

Glass-top rattan dining tables should be moved indoors or protected with a tightly secured tailor-fit rain cover during extreme winds.

We advise keeping garden parasols indoors or in a shed during windy weather to prevent them from breaking or blowing away.

 

Get in touch if you still have a question about Rattan Furniture

If you still have a question about an aspect of our service or one of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will be happy to help. In the meantime, why not visit the Harts Furniture Blog? Here you can find all the latest guides to get the most out of your garden furniture.