Buying and Caring for Rattan Garden Furniture

Knowing a few tips about how to buy rattan garden furniture may save you money and problems later, with the first step in determining what you really want.  How much weather exposure will it be getting? Are you going to place it in an enclosed patio, where it’s protected from most of the weather? Perhaps you envision a beautiful garden setting where it will be exposed to the elements? Study the rattan furniture market before committing to any pieces you see. A great way to see all of the available styles is by window shopping at local markets and online at several patio, furniture outlets or rattan websites.

You can get great design ideas from websites, magazines or patio furniture stores, but above all make sure you find a showroom where you can sit down and try it out. Beauty is one thing, but usability and comfort are of primary importance. Rattan garden furniture does not come out of a mold; drying, shrinkage, flexing and craftsmanship all create small variables in each piece. You may find that two pieces with similar designs can be very different as far as comfort.

Look for professionally sealed and finished pieces. Durability and wear will be determined by how well the pieces were completed. Saving a few dollars is not worth it if the pieces were shabbily finished. Most patio furniture is built to withstand some rain, wind and sun, but pieces with poor seals will begin to deteriorate quickly.

If you are purchasing rattan garden furniture online, look for reputable dealers. Reading forums and blogs may give you some good insight as to what brands hold up and wear well with proper finishes and good seals. Chips and dark spots may be an indication that finishing or sealing was not done properly. A good finish job will show the natural color of the wood with the slightest sheen.

As you compare different styles from a variety of manufactures, make a point of checking to see if their products are covered by a warranty and for how long. Warranties may ensure that unnatural defects will be replaced or repaired without more money out of your pocket.

Rattan garden furniture does not require as much maintenance as you might think, but you would be prudent to follow through with periodic cleanings. Clean the surface of each piece weekly or even just once a month. This helps to remove grease and grim and prevent major damage.

Use an old toothbrush in the grooves and crevices to remove obvious surface dirt. Then mix up a small solution of water and dishwashing detergent, stirring till you have suds floating on the surface. Use a soft cloth to skim off the suds and use the suds to wipe down the surface of your rattan garden furniture; avoid wetting the furniture too much. This is easy and doesn’t take any work, but it will help to keep your furniture in good shape. Rattan furniture can be used outdoors, but if you can keep it under a covered patio, this would be better. If the furniture is being used in a garden setting, move it under trees for protection from the sun when it’s not in use.

The sooner you respond and take action for any type of major damage or stains, the better. The longer a stain stays on the piece the deeper it will set. As soon as a spill occurs, grab a cloth and some detergent to scrub it out; rinsing with clean water and sun dry. If you notice splitting or cracking, use boiled linseed oil, which puts moisture back in. If you have serious breakage, you should seek out an expert in rattan repair.

Plan on doing a thorough yearly cleaning. Remove any noticeable dirt using a brush and or vacuum. Mix up a batch of water and detergent and wipe down each piece thoroughly, using more water than you do for the monthly cleaning. The purpose of the yearly cleaning is not only to remove grime, but as many oils from the rattan as possible.

You can let it dry naturally in the sun or use a hair dryer to speed up the process. The longer the water sits, the more risk you take of it becoming distorted. When it’s totally dry, apply a coat of lacquer or shellac to seal the wood; this will help protect it from spills and the elements.

Shop for high, quality merchandise and maintain a minimum cleaning schedule. Allocate time for a once a year cleaning and resealing to keep your rattan garden furniture in good shape for many years.