How To Clean Rattan Furniture
Rattan garden furniture is known for its simplicity and low maintenance. Unlike metal or wooden tables that need frequent re-sealing, rattan weaves are strong, sturdy and built to last.
You don’t need to undertake regular maintenance on your rattan furniture to keep it looking nice. Provided you have a rain cover installed for most of the year, you shouldn’t need to clean it very often either.
However, if spillages happen, or if dirt gets into the cracks of your sofa or table, it’s best to clean it as quickly as possible.
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how to clean rattan furniture, including the cushions, to make it look brand new again.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Rattan Furniture
What 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
Here’s a quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to clean rattan furniture in your garden:
- Carefully move your furniture into an ideal cleaning spot and remove all the cushions
- Brush off any debris like soil, leaves or dust
- Use a hoover to remove debris in hard-to-reach areas, like between joints (optional)
- Gently wipe the rattan using warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge
- Rinse any bubbles with your garden hose or a bucket of water
When cleaning garden furniture, never use the following on rattan:
- A jetwash or pressure washer
- A high-pressure hose setting
- Harsh chemicals, like bleach or scouring agent
- A coarse sponge, brush or scrubbing pad
Using these tools/products will be too abrasive and can cause damage to your rattan garden furniture.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Rattan Furniture Cushions
Garden cushions are easy to clean. If you spill food or drink on them, you can simply wipe away the mess with a damp cloth.
They are also shower-proof, so they can withstand light rainfall. However, you shouldn’t routinely leave your garden cushions outside. Heavy rain can damage the filling and make the covers turn mouldy.
If your cushions need a deeper clean than just a wipe, Harts Furniture cushion covers are machine washable.
Here’s how to clean rattan furniture cushions in the washing machine:
- Remove the cushion cover
- Place in the washing machine at 30 degrees
- Dry indoors or outside in the shade – do not tumble dry as the intense heat can damage the covers’ waterproof membrane
If your cushions are not machine-washable, here’s how to clean rattan furniture cushions by hand:
- Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water
- Use a soft cloth or sponge and gently dab the material
- Leave to dry indoors or outdoors
Or take the cushion(s) to a dry cleaner for a deep clean.
Always read the label to decide the best way to clean your garden furniture cushions before proceeding.
How to Care for Rattan Furniture
Keeping rattan garden furniture is generally low maintenance. A high-quality sofa set or table and chairs require little upkeep to look their best.
To prolong the life of your rattan garden furniture, here are our top tips on how to care for rattan furniture.
Use Furniture Covers
Getting tailor-fit covers for your rattan furniture is one of the best ways to look after it. Our rattan tables and chairs are weather-resistant, so you can leave them uncovered on summer evenings or during light rainfall.
However, leaving rattan without protection all year round can impact how well it keeps, especially if it’s a frosty winter. It also leaves your furniture prone to getting dirty from bird droppings or debris.
To protect your furniture and help it last longer, keep them covered during winter or anytime it’s not in use.
Don’t Sit Without Cushions
Having cushions on your rattan garden furniture isn’t just for comfort and aesthetics. They can also help protect your furniture from stretching or breaking.
Because cushions spread your weight evenly across the chairs, they put less stress on the material and keep it buoyant. They also prevent damage or dents from forming when your guests have keys or a wallet in their pocket.
Rotate Routinely
Rattan garden furniture is weather-resistant, so you can rest assured knowing it’s protected from the sun.
However, over time, your garden furniture can start to fade, especially in very hot weather. Keeping it covered when it’s not in use will help protect your furniture from UV rays.
If you don’t use rain covers in summer, move your chairs around the table on occasion. By shuffling them once or twice a year, you can prevent uneven discolouring or any weathered/faded spots.
Move Carefully
When the weather warms up, it’s normal to move your rattan sun loungers around the garden to help you catch the rays!
One of the many benefits of rattan furniture is that it’s strong, sturdy and incredibly lightweight, so you can easily shuffle how things look on your patio.
Just be careful you don’t damage your rattan when moving. Only pick things up by the frames (not the woven panels) and always lift the feet instead of scraping them along the floor.
Clean Spills Quickly
Spillages happen, especially during those summer garden BBQs[1]! When accidents happen on your rattan furniture, it’s best to clean the mess as quickly as possible.
Use a soft, wet cloth to wipe away small spills, like drinks or food sauces. When large spills happen (like dropping a full can of beer over your rattan), hose it down on a low-pressure setting to avoid stickiness and/or damage to the colouring.
It’s rare for animals or insects to cause damage to your rattan. As a precaution, try not to leave large chunks of food on your garden furniture after use.
Summary
Rattan doesn’t require much upkeep, so choosing it can be one of the best ways to create a low-maintenance garden[2].
However, if you notice build-ups of dirt, dust or debris, cleaning garden furniture is easier than it sounds. All you need to do is give it a rinse or a wipe with warm soapy water.
At Harts Furniture, our high-quality rattan garden furniture is built to last. It’s strong, sturdy and surprisingly easy to clean.
If you’re thinking about investing in rattan furniture for your garden, explore our full garden furniture collection today.
[2] Low Maintenance Garden Ideas
