Caring For Rattan Furniture
Compared with other items around the property, rattan furniture is extremely easy to clean and maintain. Many people opt for rattan furniture because of its versatility and because it requires so little attention in terms of maintenance. Rattan furniture looks attractive and retains its usefulness over time. Some might even say that comfort levels increase with age. These days rattan is used for a wide range of items. There are rattan magazine racks, coffee tables and cupboards at the smaller end of the spectrum. Larger items include beds, sofas and armchairs. Whatever you use, with rattan furniture you can be sure of lightweight durability and years of easy cleaning.
Natural Origins
Rattan furniture is typically made from rainforest vines. These are mainly harvested in Asian regions, and some of the more exotic varieties derive from Indonesia, the Philippines, India and China. Given its source, it can be no wonder that rattan lends itself so well to making outdoor furniture. Every garden is enhanced by furniture made from rattan, because it blends so well with outdoor scenes and provides effortless comfort on sunny days. We’ve all come to associate furniture made from rattan with high summer days of lemonade and gentle breezes.
Natural Defences
All-weather rattan furniture is designed and built to withstand ordinary weather conditions, including showers. Proud owners of furniture they’re fond of will want to take precautions with their chairs and tables, such as placing them out of the way of rainfall when not in use. The fact that rattan can withstand the effects of water means that cleaning dirty furniture with a hose is a very simple option. If your furniture has detachable cushions then they should be removed and the furniture lightly hosed to remove surface dirt before being cleaned and polished with a damp piece of cloth. It’s unlikely that even outdoor furniture will get dirty enough to require serious cleaning with a hose, but if it becomes necessary then rattan is robust. Rattan’s shiny surfaces can easily be wiped of most dirt using only a simple cloth.
Potential Problems
The strength and durability of rattan furniture can become compromised by excessive exposure to sunlight. Chairs and tables can dry out to the point of becoming brittle and cracked. Conversely, when humidity increases, rattan will absorb moisture and develop bumps. In damp conditions mildew can appear which can be both unsightly and damaging. Rattan furniture that’s damp can easily bend irreversibly under pressure. To avoid all these consequences of weather conditions it’s wise to be kind to your outdoor furniture by putting it under cover when it’s not in use. While rattan is durable, nothing is immune to the effects of being permanently left outdoors.