How To Clean Rattan Furniture (Steps Included)

May 27, 2022

Here are some steps you can follow to clean rattan furniture:

1. Dust the furniture regularly: Use a soft, dry cloth to dust the furniture at least once a week to prevent dirt and grime from building up.

2. Vacuum the furniture: Use a soft-bristled attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or debris that is trapped in the weave of the rattan.

3. Wipe the furniture down with a mild cleaner: Mix a mild dish soap with warm water and use a soft cloth to gently scrub the surface of the furniture. Rinse the cloth frequently and be sure to rinse the furniture thoroughly after cleaning to remove any soap residue.

4. Dry the furniture: Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the furniture down and remove any excess moisture. Allow the furniture to air dry completely before using it or replacing cushions.

5. Protect the furniture: To prevent damage from spills and stains, consider applying a protective spray or wax to the surface of the rattan. This will help to seal the surface and make it easier to clean in the future.

The durability and comfort of rattan furniture have led it to be the choice of many. When added to its lightweight, versatility, attractiveness, and eco-friendliness, it is no wonder that it is increasingly becoming a popular option when considering decor. It's also very popular to use in combination with bamboo pendant lighting for that natural look. 

Knowing how to clean rattan furniture and maintain it thus becomes all the more important. 

Let us look at the best ways to keep your rattan furniture shining and attractive.

Why should I clean rattan furniture regularly?

Stunning as rattan furniture may look, it has to be cleaned regularly to make it last longer and continue to brighten up your décor.

The design of rattan furniture is such that it has many corners, gaps, and crevices into which dust can collect, more so if kept outdoors. If the furniture is not cleaned regularly, these crevices will collect dust and debris, which will settle there. 

This will be unpleasant to look at, but these particles and dust are carriers of germs like bacteria 

and mildew, and they are also possible sites of infestation by insects. Ultimately, the longevity of the rattan furniture will be reduced. 

There are many ways to clean rattan furniture and keep it in good condition. Some methods are suited for natural furniture, while others are better suited for synthetic rattan furniture.

How often should I clean rattan furniture?

It is recommended that a basic cleaning job is done every week and a more thorough cleaning once a month with more washing. 

An annual deep cleaning is also advised. 

Basic cleaning of rattan furniture

The more regularly the furniture is cleaned, the more it will last. 

The basic cleaning methods you can use regularly are:

Weekly 

Use a brush to remove all the dust and debris from the crevices and corners. A toothbrush or any similar fine implement can be used for those tricky gaps and angles to dislodge the dust. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to better remove the dust, which should be done weekly.

This is a good cleaning routine for natural rattan furniture. Please ensure that you use a soft-bristled brush or soft cloth so that you do not damage the furniture's surface. 

Monthly

• Dislodge the dust and debris as described above. 
• Take warm water in a bowl and add some soap to it. Thoroughly mix it so that it bubbles. 
• Wet a soft cloth lightly with this froth and wipe over the dusty parts.
• Then clean the furniture again with a clean cloth. 
• Place the furniture out in the sun, But not direct sunlight, to dry. 

Cleaning of natural rattan furniture vs. synthetic

To identify the best method to clean your rattan furniture, you first need to know whether your rattan furniture is natural or synthetic. 

For natural rattan furniture 

While using the basic cleaning methods on natural rattan furniture, please do not use too much water and detergent, and also do not use it too often, which will damage the coating of lacquer on the furniture.

For synthetic rattan furniture 

Synthetic rattan furniture will suffer less damage by water than the natural variety. To give synthetic furniture a good clean, a hosepipe gives excellent and quick results. 

Tilt the furniture so that the tighter weaves are on top. This will allow the water to run down from them to the larger weaves, and the water will then drain out of the bottom.

Also, the same detergent and water solutions can be used to clean synthetic rattan furniture. A thorough rinse is necessary afterward to prevent the seepage of the solution into the cracks and crevasses. 

Dry out the water on the furniture with a tea towel or kitchen towel, and then leave it out to dry. 

• Avoid soaking natural rattan furniture in water.
• Do not keep natural rattan furniture outside in the sun. This will reduce its longevity.
• Rattan furniture tends to soften when a bit wet. So be careful not to apply too much pressure while scrubbing. This may crack the rattan and loosen its waves. It may result in the furniture losing its shape.

Some Do's and Don'ts while cleaning your rattan furniture.

Do's:

• While vacuuming the furniture, keep suction at the minimum level to avoid damage to the furniture.
• Remove all cushions and upholstery before cleaning the furniture and washing separately. 
• Lightly dust the furniture with a feather duster or something similar so that the furniture is not damaged.

Don'ts

•  Never use a steel wool pad, a stiff brush, or harsh abrasive while cleaning rattan furniture. This may remove any lacquered finish applied for protection.
• Use only a damp cloth to take off the dust and dirt. Never soak the entire piece of furniture in soap water. 
• Avoid washing the furniture down with water on a cool day with no breeze. Then it will take longer for the furniture to dry out, and the possibility of mold growth will increase.

How do I remove stains from rattan furniture?

It is common to spill food and drink on rattan furniture when dining. It would be best to wipe up the spill as quickly as possible to prevent damage. The quicker it is wiped off, the less chance it will seep into the furniture.

However, if there are stains on the rattan furniture, you can use the same cleaning methods discussed above. Only more elbow grease is required, and you may also have to use more detergent and more water for stubborn stains.

Dry the rattan furniture with a hairdryer or set it out in the sun. 

For stubborn stains or marks, you can consider using a steam cleaner. Always test the steam cleaner on a small patch of the furniture before use, and this will check if any damage will be caused by its usage. Avoid holding the steamer over the same spot for too long. 

What do I do if my rattan furniture has mold and mildew?

Natural rattan furniture is susceptible to mold and mildew despite its benefits and undeniable attractiveness, especially if kept outdoors.

Mold

While dusting rattan furniture during basic cleaning, check for mold on the arms, legs, or underneath the upholstery. These are the most likely places where they can grow.

If you find mold, apply a spray that contains 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water to these areas. Let it stand to be absorbed. This is a good option to use as an anti-fungal spray.

Mildew

Mildew is likely to appear as small black spots on the furniture, which cannot be removed by cleaning with soap and water.

You can attempt to remove mildew from your rattan furniture with a solution of one cup of bleach and a gallon of water. Using a soft bristle dipped in this solution, scrub at the mildew stains.

If scrubbing with the brush is ineffective, try to directly apply the bleach solution to the mildew marks with a Q-tip.

Do rinse your furniture afterward to prevent any residue of bleach that can cause permanent damage to the furniture.

Dry the furniture thoroughly, preferably with a tea or kitchen towel, to get the worst of the bleach off.

As a rule, synthetic rattan furniture is not susceptible to mold or mildew, even if you keep it outdoors. This variety is much more resilient than the natural variety.

You can prevent natural rattan furniture from mildew and mold by keeping them indoors and covering them with a dust sheet when not in use.

Do I need to wash the upholstery?  

When you clean rattan furniture, do not forget to wash the cushions or seating accessories that come with them. Mostly, these can be machine washed.

Not to put the cushions back on the rattan furniture seats or backrest until both are fully dry, as this can cause molds to form.

Why should I repair splits in the furniture?

While cleaning your rattan furniture, you may notice that it has cracks and splits. These have to be repaired as it will result in more dust accumulation and weakening of the furniture.

A good method is to use boiled linseed oil in these areas. The oil will moisten the furniture and reduce its tendency to crack when applied. This oil will be available at DIY shops.

The magic ingredient to clean rattan furniture

A special way to clean rattan furniture requires nothing more than a visit to your kitchen. It is olive oil! 

Olive oil is quite effective in removing grime and stains from rattan furniture. In addition, it also conditions the material.

This trick of using olive oil to treat and clean rattan furniture is simple. Take a small amount of 

olive oil on a soft polishing cloth, keep rubbing it into the rattan furniture and stop when all the oil is fully absorbed. 

The key tip here is that a little bit will go a long way. Using olive oil to treat rattan furniture, a protective layer is formed that reduces the risk of chipping and adds a lasting shine to the furniture.

The only precaution to be kept in mind is that this method needs time to dry before the furniture can be used completely. So, use this method only on a sunny day.

Avoid putting too much olive oil on the furniture to get saturated. The idea is only to rub the furniture's surface clean and not make the oil seep through.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cleaning rattan furniture requires a bit of care and attention to ensure that it stays looking its best. By dusting the furniture regularly, vacuuming it, wiping it down with a mild cleaner, drying it thoroughly, and protecting it with a spray or wax, you can help to maintain the beauty of your rattan furniture for years to come. With proper care and maintenance, your rattan furniture can continue to be a stylish and functional addition to your home.

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