If you have a lovely set of rattan garden furniture, then naturally you’ll want to keep it clean and in good condition. Now that the COVID-19 lockdown is gradually being eased, people are permitted to socialise with more of their friends and family, and during summer, the ideal place for social gatherings is outside – meaning garden furniture will be in high use.
Why clean rattan garden furniture?
If friends and your extended family are meeting up in your garden, the chances are they’ll be sitting on your rattan chairs and touching the surface of your rattan table. If this is the case, it’s wise to exercise extra caution. One way to limit the spread of coronavirus is to make sure all surfaces are cleaned after anyone visits your home or garden.
Most modern rattan garden furniture is made from synthetic materials rather than natural rattan. This is very durable and a good set can last a couple of decades – although this depends on the weave, quality and finish, as well as the aluminium frames. Rattan is weather-resistant and simple to maintain, so just a little easy maintenance can go a long way. Follow this guide to keep your rattan garden furniture in good condition, as well as safe to use.
Tips to keeping rattan furniture clean
Stop spills
If spill occurs, clean it up without delay. Simply wipe over with a damp cloth and you can avoid lasting stains or deterioration.
Use the cushions
Using any cushions that came with your rattan seating can prolong the life of the furniture, as well as improving user comfort. Sharp, large or heavy objects, such as keys or mobile phones, can easily press into the weave, causing damage. Cushions help to spread any pressure over a wider area, as well as providing a barrier between the user and the weave. Just remember to isolate or wash the cushions after use if someone from outside your household has used the seat.
Get covered
If you do need to leave your furniture out during winter, then a set of well-fitting covers is a great investment to protect it from extreme conditions and weather damage.
Cleaning your rattan furniture: step-by-step
When you are giving your rattan furniture a thorough clean, follow these simple steps:
1) Be prepared
Before cleaning, remove any cushions and move the furniture to an area where there’s space to work and it doesn’t matter if some splashing occurs. A warm, dry day without strong winds is best, if possible.
2) Get vacuuming
Using a brush attachment, vacuum the furniture thoroughly to get rid of accumulated dirt and dust.
3) Washing down
Next you can use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to wash each piece of furniture down. You could use an antibacterial washing-up liquid to help kill unwanted germs.
4) Hosing off
You can rinse away the soap suds by using the garden hose, making sure you use a gentle setting to avoid pressure damage.
5) Drying time
Allow your furniture to dry thoroughly before moving it back to its original location.
Follow the simple steps above, and your rattan garden furniture will enjoy a longer life, as well as looking good and being safe to use.
