How To Make Your Wicker Furniture Last A Lifetime
Wicker is a durable, stylish furniture material—and a wicker chair, tabletop or footstool can add depth and texture to a room. It's also a lovely choice for summer garden furniture, particularly because it doesn't get as hot to the touch as plastic, metal or even wood when left out under the afternoon sun. It can take a little bit of TLC, though—so read on to learn how to make sure your wicker pieces last as long as you do.
Use the right vacuum cleaner attachment to keep wicker dust-free.
Basket-weave leaves you with plenty of nooks and crevices for dust to settle in, but the good news it that it's the work of a few minutes to get it all out. The trick is to use the soft-bristled brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner; this will both protect your wicker and be more effective at cleaning it quickly and easily.
Spot clean problem areas before they spread.
Real wicker is made from natural materials—meaning it's porous, and will hold dirt unless cleaned occasionally. Should you spy any stains or odd-looking patches on your wicker furniture, it's important to spot-clean them immediately; a quick simple wipe might not get it, and if left, a patch like that could moulder and spread. This isn't an especially involved process, though: simply grab an old toothbrush, mix a few drops of washing up liquid into a small glass of warm water, scrub the stain away and wipe thoroughly afterwards with a clean flannel run under a cold tap to remove any lingering soapy residue.
Keep an eye on the humidity levels, and control them if you can.
Wicker does best in a steady, moderate level of humidity—too much can cause mould and mildew, while too little can dry it out and leave it brittle. In temperate climates and for much of the year, this won't be a problem—especially not if your furniture lives somewhere with decent air circulation. If your wicker is somewhere that tends to get either very muggy or very dry, however, a dehumidifying or rehumidifying device can be an easy, convenient solution.
Store outdoor wicker in a shed, not exposed to the elements.
Wicker is a beautiful aesthetic choice for garden furniture, and it has a few benefits over other materials—for one thing, it doesn't get hot enough to scald your skin when you sit on it in shorts. It's simply not as weather-resistant as other kinds, though, and ought to be stored in a conservatory or shed when not in use. Covers are also a good choice, particularly if there's any chance of damp in there.
