by: Wyatt Fisk

The art of weaving furniture from vines and stems is perhaps the oldest form of craft in the world. Its history extends back from thousands of years ago and is still in use today in the form of wicker. Wicker is not a specific material as we used to know it, rather it is a classification of furniture woven from certain types of rigid materials such plastic fibers and rattan. Wicker is a multifunctional feature that can be utilized anywhere in the home, but is more popularly used as an outdoor fixture like an outdoor wicker sofa set.

Wicker has been used throughout the ages. It has never seized to harness the imagination of designers, and has long been appreciated for its ability to tell stories of all sorts; from whimsy to comfort, from fashion to durability. With all these and more, wicker remains as a valuable piece that has been epitomized in many forms like the luxurious resin wicker dining sets we see, or the simple wicker sofa of our neighbor. However, as with any other outdoor furnishings, wicker furniture of any kind should be cleaned and maintained accordingly to preserve its aesthetics; below are some simple tips that you can do to clean your wicker furniture.

As wicker fixtures are often used as outdoor pieces, such as an outdoor wicker sofa, dust and other particles could easily invade their surfaces. To avoid dust build up, make sure to dust off your wicker furniture with a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment at least twice or thrice a week. This way, the dust, which could affect the aesthetic value of your wicker, would not penetrate the crevices of your fixtures. If hair is lodged in between the spaces of the wicker, use tweezers or dry paint brush to clear it away.

Washing your outdoor wicker sofa, especially if it is made from plastic fibers, is one good way to generally clean it. To do this, combine at least 2 tablespoons of ammonia and a gallon of water, and use this as your cleaning solution. Wash your fixture quickly and do not over saturate it in the solution as doing so could cause discoloration on your furniture. In case you don’t have ammonia at home, just use a commercial cleaning product that’s tested for wicker use.

Of course, wicker pieces such as resin wicker dining sets are commonly used to accommodate visitors during gatherings; hence, they are often subject to over usage which could affect the alignment of their weaves. In such case, whenever you clean your wicker pieces, try to even out their weaves because leaving them with uneven weave spacing could weaken their ability to hold weight. Likewise, as wicker dining sets are usually utilized during meals, chances are, your guests especially the children could spill liquids and other food stuff on them. If this occurs, immediately wipe the spill using a clean cloth dampened in a detergent, and wipe it again with dry cloth to remove excess detergent.

Remember that wicker patio dining set or any outdoor wicker furnishings for that matter are susceptible to extreme weather conditions and humidity. Dry conditions can cause your wicker to become brittle, high humidity can cause mildew buildup, while over exposure to direct sunlight and rain could literally shorten the life of your furnishing. To avoid these from happening, make sure to position your wicker furniture in covered porches or patios, and if possible place some cushions to protect them from harmful elements. By following these simple guidelines, you can enjoy the service of your outdoor wicker furniture for more years.

Cleaning and maintaining your patio furniture is as easy as dusting and washing it with a homemade solution. The same thing goes with your resin wicker dining sets or teak patio dining set, as they are generally low maintenance. If you properly attend to the cleaning needs of your wicker furniture, for sure you would be able to enjoy its service for the years to come.