Patio Furniture

The art of weaving Furniture from fibrous, pulpy plant materials is one of the oldest forms of craft known to the world. The beginnings of this very peculiar and very useful art dates back to thousands of years ago on the African continent, if not earlier, gaining popularity under the pharoahs of Egypt, and it is still very much a viable craft today in the form of wicker weaving. But the craft, and the medium, has changed. Wicker today is not such a specific material as we used to know it; rather, it is a broad classification that encompasses many types of rigid materials such as plastic fibers (usually PVE, though sometimes - and notably dangerously - PVC) and rattan, which is the traditional plant fiber used by our artisitc ancestors. Wicker Furniture, today's most common weave product, is very multifunctional and those items can be utilized more or less anywhere in the home. Of course, wicker is more popularly used with Outdoor fixtures like an Outdoor wicker sofa, the classic style that has stood the test of time.
But of course, as with any kind of Furniture, and particularly with Outdoor Furniture, wicker patio sets of any kind should be cleaned and maintained regularly and according to guidelines outlined by the manufacturer with the goal of preserving its aesthetics. But how should you clean your wicker Furniture?

As wicker sets are almost exclusively Outdoor features (though they work just fine inside, if you prefer), dust and other particles (pollen, allergens, the occasional bug or splat of bird droppings) cover their surfaces easily. To avoid this messy business, dust off your wicker Furniture at least twice a week with a vacuum cleaner that has a soft brush attached to it. Then, wipe the surface with a damp rag. Dust and other foreign objects, if not properly tended to, can absolutely ruin the look and value of your wicker. Of course, who has the time to really clean it twice a week, right? I say twice because that's what the professionals advise. But really, washing it once or twice a month should be just fine. So long as you're not allergic.

Washing your Outdoor wicker sofa, especially if it is made from plastic fibers, is generally a pretty basic and straightforward process. When it's time to wash, try combining about 2 tablespoons of ammonia or a similar compound with a gallon of water. This is your cleaning solution. Wash the wicker weave quickly but do not over-saturate it. A rag just lightly dampened in the cleaning solution should be fine, you don't need to drown your Furniture in solution. In fact, if you use too much cleaning agent, you run the risk of discoloring your Furniture. If you don't have ammonia on hand, there are other commercial cleaning products in the market specifically made for wicker pieces. Again, if your wicker is actually a resin or plastic product, you will need to find different products. Or just use the homemade solution mentioned at the top of this paragraph. It's easy!

Another major problem with wicker Furniture pieces, like resin wicker dining sets, is that they suffer from stress on account of over-usage and often this stress throws the spacing of the wicker weave a little out of whack. In such an instance, try and make sure to manually space out the weave until it is even and parallel, as unparallel weave spacing can weaken the overall stability of the Furniture itself. If spilling occurs (perhaps an inevitability if you have children attending your Outdoor dinner parties), immediately wipe the spill using a clean cloth dampened in a detergent, and wipe it again with dry cloth to remove excess detergent. Lacking in detergent, just use regular water as a temporary fix. It all works just as well on Outdoor sofas!

You must also remember to consider the weather. For any kind of Outdoor Furniture, but especially natural wicker products, extreme weather conditions can be detrimental. Dry weather can make rattan Furniture very brittle and delicate, whereas intense humidity can lead to mold buildup and mildew issues. All these factors will seriously depreciate the lifespan of your Furniture. For plastic Outdoor Furniture, heat can bleach the dyes and artificial colorings, which makes your Furniture's appearance fade. Luckily, PVE and PVC Outdoor Furniture is typically waterproff, though make sure that the aluminum frames supporting the wicker are not exposed to too much water as they may rust. Try keeping your patio sets under a protective awning or some similar guard against the elements. Many cushions feature waterproof fabric these days, and this can also help protect your Furniture. If weather damage occurs, I'm afraid there's not much you can do. For natural wicker, try rubbing linseed oil on the dry rattan to give it some pliability. This should keep your Furniture going for many years coming!

Mr. Fisk lives in San Diego where he spends much of his days relaxing on his very own Outdoor Furniture, when he isn't busy acting as a consultant for home landscaping and interior design projects. He lives with his lovely wife and does what he loves. If you would like more information on Outdoor wicker dining sets, be sure to send him an email!