Rattan furniture is durable, lightweight, and eco-friendly, making it a popular addition to many homes. If you want your rattan furniture to last for years, take good care of it to keep it clean and dust-free. The construction techniques for this type of furniture has many nooks and crannies that are the perfect hiding spot for dust and dirt.
Your rattan furniture should be dusted or vacuumed with an upholstery brush weekly. Food, drink, or mud stains should be cleaned immediately and a deeper cleaning should be done monthly. Inspect your rattan furniture for splits in the fibers at least once a year, and search for mold and mildew growth as well, especially if the pieces are placed outdoors.
Dust the entire surface of the furniture with a microfiber or disposable duster or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush. This prevents excessive soil buildup. If there is a solid stain, use a spoon or dull knife to lift them away; never rub. Use a paper towel or cloth to blot liquid stains. Once the solids have been removed, wipe the area with a damp microfiber cloth and allow it to air-dry. If the stain has dried into the furniture, use a toothbrush to help loosen solids. Dampen a microfiber cloth and use a drop of dishwashing liquid on the cloth to wipe the area. Then wipe with a cloth dampened with clean water and let air-dry.
Always complete the weekly cleaning steps before doing a monthly cleaning. Mix four cups of warm water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a bowl until suds form on the surface. Add fresh water into a separate bowl for rinsing out the cleaning cloth. Dip a microfiber cloth into the suds and wipe down the furniture, starting at the top. Frequently rinse the cloth in fresh water, wringing until slightly damp. Remove any build-up with a toothbrush and make sure not to over-saturate the rattan with water. Let it air-dry, or if there is excess water, use a cloth to dry the furniture.
Once a year, remove all cushions, inspect the furniture for problems, and condition. Perform the steps for weekly and monthly cleaning before beginning a yearly cleaning. After removing the cushions, look for split or broken areas. Check for mold and mildew, which can typically be found on the legs of the piece, especially if the furniture has been outside. If there is mildew, mix a one-to-one solution of chlorine bleach and water. Wear gloves and dip a cloth into the solution, then apply to the mildewed area. Let dry in a sunny area.
After the previous steps have been completed and the rattan has dried completely, dip a soft cloth into boiled linseed oil. Wipe down the rattan, starting at the top. The oil adds moisture to the fibers to prevent breakage. Let dry for at least 48 hours before replacing cushions.
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