Unless you happen to live in an extreme weather zone, wicker furniture can be left outdoors almost round the year without the fear of it deteriorating. However, a minimum amount of care should be practiced to ensure they look best and last longer.
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Caring for Wicker Outdoor Furniture
Dust regularly
The woven appearance of the furniture that is its real beauty unfortunately attracts a lot of dirt and dust. Hence, it needs to be routinely dusted. Use a feather duster to the dirt accumulated on the crevices. Alternatively, you could use a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle that can reach the tough corners of the weave.
Opt for waterproof cushions to keep your wicker furniture from getting dirty too often and too fast. Invest in cushions for both the back and the base of your furniture, especially the sofas and chairs. Cushions in fact, double up as a quick update for your otherwise weathered antique wicker furniture, besides assisting in dirt and dust build-up.
Ammonia/ Detergent solution
For wicker furniture that has been sitting outside for quite a while, the feather duster may not give you satisfactory results. You’ll need a stronger cleaner instead. Combine two tablespoons of detergent or ammonia in a gallon of water and wipe the furniture using a cloth dampened in the solution. Follow with thorough rinse with fresh water.
For stubborn mud and dirt buildup, turn the furniture on its side and use a garden hose to wash it off. Turning the furniture on its side will help drain the water out faster. Wipe it with a dry towel and allow it to dry completely in shade, away from humidity and sun before putting it back to use. Practice caution when cleaning larger pieces of wicker furniture as rough handling may cause the weave to stretch, ruining your furniture.
Keep furniture in shade
While wicker furniture is best suited for outdoors, excessive exposure to direct sunlight, rain or snow will cause it to wear out faster, robbing it off its beautiful look. High humidity levels can also be bad for wicker furniture leading to the formation of moulds and mildews.
In fact, all outdoor wicker furniture should be checked for mould and mildew formation from time to time. Coffee tables, dining tables, etc. which come in constant contact with food should be especially inspected regularly. In case you find traces of mould or mildew, use a bleach solution to clean the furniture and get rid of them.
Regular maintenance coupled with a little caution and patience can help your wicker furniture continue looking as good as new for longer periods of time.
How do you maintain your furniture at home? Have tips and suggestions to share? Post them below.
