Both indoor and outdoor wicker furniture are typically made out of one of two materials; natural or synthetic wicker. Both are great options for your home furniture and are fairly easy to keep clean. However, it’s important to know how to properly clean and take care of each type of wicker furniture to ensure the long life of your piece. Below are some tips for how to keep your wicker furniture looking its best!
Getting Started
Natural wicker is usually less durable than synthetic wicker, so it is important to take very good care of it and be extra cautious when cleaning it. The first thing to do when cleaning any type of wicker furniture is to remove all cushions and clean them separately.
Dusting and Cleaning
Once you have removed the cushions, you should vacuum the furniture using a brush attachment to remove any dust and particles, making it easier to thoroughly clean. Make sure that if your furniture is painted to work gently. Excessive roughness can cause the paint to chip and the varnish to scrape off over time. To really deep clean your wicker furniture, you could go in with a toothbrush to remove even more dust and particles in the hard to reach places.
Once the bulk of dust and dirt is removed, gently wipe down the furniture with a dampened soft cloth, microfiber cloth, or terry towel. For a deeper clean, you can add a little bit of soap to the towel. Please note if you have paper wicker furniture: water will warp and deform your piece, so it is best to use a vacuum and dry cloth only. If your furniture is extremely dirty, you can use a hand held steam cleaner to clean the furniture and then thoroughly dry it with a hair dryer, so the wicker doesn’t become misshapen.
If you have synthetic wicker, you can spray it down with a hose and some gentle soap. It’s as simple as that!
Maintenance
Once you’ve removed all the dust and particles and have wiped everything down, check for bits of the material that are unraveling or frayed. Never trim these pieces as it can hurt the integrity and overall strength of the furniture. Instead, bend the frayed pieces back where they belong and use a thin coating of wood glue to secure them in place. If there is serious damage, you may need to enlist the help of a professional to fully repair your furniture.
Drying
It is important not to leave natural wicker furniture wet for too long as it mold or mildew could develop or the wicker itself could warp. The best methods for drying natural wicker furniture are with a fan, out in the sun (if it is nice outside and not overly hot), or with a hairdryer on the cold air setting. Synthetic wicker is a little easier to take care of as it is more durable than natural wicker, so the easiest method for drying it is out in the sun. It also has a lesser chance of developing mold or mildew, so there’s less of an immediate need to dry it.
Whether it’s indoor or outdoor furniture, knowing how to take care of and clean wicker is important. What other tips do you have to keep your natural or synthetic wicker furniture looking as good as new? Let us know in the comments!
