There are many different types of furniture – for all tastes and budgets. In this area wicker furniture is widely used as the variety and styles, not to mention quality, provide more than enough options to choose from. These will include color, design, materials (both for the woven wicker and the frame) and most importantly design styles. You will find wicker furniture sets both in homes as well as in offices and business that cater to the hospitality market – hotels, bars, restaurants, etc.

Wicker furniture has a long history going back thousands of years (Egyptian murals depict wicker furniture). Basically it is a piece of furniture with a wooden frame and the woven wicker, bamboo or whatever material is woven in a pattern over the seating area, the top of the table, the back rest or even a wicker rocking chairs. The tighter the weave, the sturdier the piece.

As with most things in life, if you take good are of it your furniture will last much longer.

For a proper care of your wicker furniture sets you should have a cleaning schedule. Nothing complicated, but definitely regular. And this should be based on the simple art of dusting. Removing the dust in the early stages will always reduce, if not eliminate, dust and dirt accumulating. Somewhere along the line there has to be a law of physics that states “dust and dirt always accumulates in hard to reach places”. You should use a soft, “clean” cloth that you pass over the whole piece, removing dust before it can set in. For areas such as where the weave is joined to the frame, use a soft brush and delicately remove all the dirt.

For a more in depth cleaning solution you can wash your wicker furniture piece. There are however a few considerations you should be aware of. First of all the weave itself, when wet can stretch and lose its original form. This means use very little water and make sure you dry it before using it. In the unfortunate event that somebody sits on a chair where the weave is still wet, it will sag and stretch and when it dries again it will memorize the new imprint. You can apply a little soap just make sure it is mild and you remove it afterward as apart of the drying side of things.

Damage to the weave can occur in time. Typically this will be in the form of loose strands within the weave and even cracks on pieces that are subjected to dryness. Or as a result of age. If the damage is extensive, don’t hesitate and call an expert. For less extensive damage, here are a few things you can do.

1. When cracks appear this is because of the ambient dryness that is affecting your wicker. Just rub in some linseed oil and let it rest for one or two days so that it is all absorbed. This is vitamin “c” for your wicker.

2. For loose strands of weave a gentle rubbing, and I stress gentle, with a fine grit sandpaper over the rough area.

3. Wicker, like leather, when wet will memorize the shape in which it dries. Sometimes you will find the weave has shifted or sagged. You can wet it, again carefully, and stretch so it dries in that position, recovering the original form.

4. Strands that have broken or become unattached can be a problem. As long as it is not extensive damage, your best bet is to get hold of the same material and weave. If you are not comfortable with the idea you will have to find an expert. However if you decide to proceed with the repair make sure it is a small area and then careful, and very patiently, try it out, one weave at a time.

The most important part of taking care of your wicker furniture is the dull but effective measure of constant dusting.

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