Outdoor Wicker Furniture Care and Maintenance

Outdoor Wicker Furniture Care and Maintenance

Wicker furniture is a practical choice both indoors and outdoors, but the care instructions can be confusing. You need definitive advice on the best care and maintenance for your wicker furniture. It starts with determining what type of wicker you have.

Natural vs. Resin Wicker Furniture Care

Natural wicker furniture refers to any of the four common varieties woven from raw materials. Paper rope, seagrass, rattan, and water hyacinth are all traditional wicker material choices. Bamboo is also becoming popular. These should be kept as dry as possible when cleaning.

Resin wicker furniture is made from polyurethane. That’s a high-density plastic and used as an alternative to traditional wicker material choices. Often, you’ll see this labeled for both indoor and outdoor use. You can also get it wet.

Vacuuming Wicker

Keeping wicker dust-free helps it last longer, and your most efficient option is the vacuum cleaner. Most vacuum cleaners come with an attachment featuring soft bristles. Running the vacuum with this attachment is the most efficient way to perform this wicker maintenance.

Check the Tough to Reach Spots

Naturally, there are spots on your wicker furniture that the vacuum cannot reach well and require a little more care. For this, an unused paintbrush, soft brush, or toothbrush are good choices. You use the tools to work any dust out of the crevices gently. 

Appropriate Detergents for Wicker Furniture Care

In most cases, removing the dust is all the maintenance wicker furniture needs. However, you may find some tough stains such as food or caked-on dirt. You’ll need to use a diluted soap and a soft cloth or sponge to remove the stain in those cases. Then rinse thoroughly.

There are specialized cleaning products available depending on your wicker material. You can also use Murphy’s Oil Soap or a gentle liquid dish detergent for cleaning as long as it’s diluted.

Mildew and Mold Maintenance on Wicker

Mildew and mold happen, unfortunately. Removing them from wicker furniture as soon as possible forestalls fiber deterioration. To take care of this task, oil-based soaps diluted with water are the gentlest options.

As usual, if the wicker is wet, do not sit on it until it dries completely. How fast drying happens depends on whether you can place the piece in a well-ventilated warm area, but it usually takes one to two days.

Oiling Wicker

If your wicker furniture is entirely natural and unfinished, then it does need oiling. Linseed oil is readily available and suitable for most of the common wicker materials. This maintenance activity requires you apply the oil, rub any excess off, and then leave the wicker furniture alone for several days.

Covers and Pillows

Covers are a necessity for outdoor wicker furniture care. If possible, wicker should be covered when not in use and in the event of inclement weather. Taking this precaution prevents fading, water damage, dust accumulation, and more.

Pillows are not a strict necessity on wicker furniture, but if you use them, make sure you follow the appropriate care instructions.