Wicker is a collective word used to describe any type of woven furniture. Wicker furniture is often made with natural materials like reed, cane, rattan, seagrass, bamboo, and willow, but it can be made with synthetic materials like resin and vinyl, too.
Ratan and Cane are not the same thing Rattan is the plant, and Cane is the “Bark” of the rattan tree, created by peeling off the top layer or skin of the rattan vine.
Often Rattan is referred to as the method of weaving cane, though that is technically a misnomer
Regular Maintenance
- Regularly use a lightly moist cloth firmly wrung in water for cleaning. Make sure to wipe down all surfaces evenly. Take care to not get the rattan / cane too wet
- To remove tough stains, wash the surface in soapy water when required. Make sure to wash both sides of the flat rattan. Make sure to soak up any surplus soapy water with a dry cloth.
- You can use a toothbrush or another soft brush to get into the crevices and hard to reach areas.
- Rattan / Cane can get dry and split over time and especially in dry climates. You can give them a monthly spritz with an oil- or glycerin-based soap that's been diluted in water to work some moisture into the surface. Murphy's Oil Soap in a spray bottle of water works well
- spritz the BACKSIDE ONLY before wiping clean with a rag. (Don't spray the top side, lest you want an oily imprint on the seat, and let the chairs fully dry before adding back any cushions.)
General Care
- Treat mildew immediately. If mildew or mold begins to form, use a strong bleach solution to clean the affected areas. The furniture must then be immediately dried out of doors.
- Rotate rattan furniture. Rattan fibers can fade in strong light. This is a natural process and not necessarily bad. However, if possible, rotate furniture on a regular basis to evenly distribute the fading. You might also consider installing blinds or awnings to reduce extreme sun exposure.
- Humidify: Natural plant fibers require a certain level of humidity. Keep furniture away from areas of severe heat as this can warp or dry out the furniture.
- Oil rattan furniture If splitting has occurred due to excessive dryness, the best thing to do is to make sure no further damage occurs; treat the rattan or cane with tung or boiled linseed oil and raise the humidity level of the space.
- Prevent sagging with pillows: Cane seats are very strong and yet flexible enough to provide a comfortable “sit,” but they can sag over time. Most cane seats are made to be used with a cushion that not only makes the seating more comfortable, but also serves to spread the sitter’s weigh more evenly across the surface.
