Regardless of the material from which your wicker furniture is
constructed, keeping it clean can be a challenge because of the
textured surface. (For details on various wicker types, click
Here)
Prevent dust and dirt build-up by regularly vacuuming your
furniture, or using a soft brush or feather duster. Wipe pieces down
occasionally with a cloth dampened with water (wrung-out) and mild
detergent. Keep water to a minimum to avoid limp or soggy wicker that
will stretch out of shape.
If you are dealing with more stubborn dirt, as may be the
case with outdoor pieces, you may have to resort to using a water
spray from a garden hose. Wipe off the water with rags and leave the
piece to dry for 24 to 48 hours, out of the sun if possible. Never
spray an antique wicker piece and always keep in mind that water
might seep under paint if the piece is peeling, and cause problems
down the road.
Don't sit on wet wicker furniture or you will stretch the
weave pattern and leave a gap in the dried wicker. If the strands dry
too far out of position, they will put stress on the joints and pull
your furniture askew.
Of course, if your furniture is resin or a resin compound and
is weatherproof, it will certainly stand up to scrubbing with soap
and water and spraying from the hose to rinse.
If your furniture still needs perking up after you've cleaned it,
follow these tips.
Cracking in wicker pieces is generally caused by excessive
dryness and the best remedy is boiled (not raw) linseed oil, even on
painted pieces. Apply the boiled linseed oil with a brush, being sure
to get into all the nooks and crannies. Reapply until the surface of
the reed stays shiny, indicating that it is no longer absorbing the
oil. Wipe off the excess oil with paper towels. (Linseed oil is very
flammable, so wet the used paper towels with water and wrap them
tightly in plastic before disposing of them.) Let the furniture dry
at least 24 hours before making any further finishes.
If you have a bit of uneven weave or some curling ends, try
home repairs. The trick is to be sure the reeds are wet and pliable
so they will move and bend where you want them. To encourage them to
do this, cover the area needing repair with wet rags or towels for 30
to 60 minutes. Then wrap the loose ends, glue them in place and
secure them until the glue dries. If you're fixing a gap by moving
the wicker strands, you may find a sharpened wooden dowel useful.
If there is extensive damage that you are unwilling to try to
repair yourself, look in your telephone directory under "Caning"
or "Furniture Repair."
If the finish on your wicker furniture needs refreshing, it's
fairly easy to do. Scrape or sand off any loose paint and then apply
a primer coat to any bare wood. Oil-based indoor/outdoor paint works
best for the topcoat. Since oil painting is messy, I prefer to use
the product in the spray can. Apply several thin coats rather than
one thick goopy one. You can put a coat of polyurethane on but with
the oil paint, it shouldn't be necessary and isn't recommend by
experts since it dries to a brittle plastic coating that is prone to
cracking. If you want a clear or shiny finish, use lacquer instead.
With a little care and repair, your wicker furniture should serve you
in your outdoor space for many years.
About the Author:
Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to
helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich
them. Visit her on the web at ParadisePorch.com and get a free
report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space".
You can email Debbie at mailto:debbie@paradiseporch.com
