How To's & Quick Tips > Care and Cleaning Keep Wicker Wonderful A popular choice for spaces indoors and out, wicker furniture and accessories can provide years of comfort and enjoyment if properly maintained. Wicker furniture and accessories are very popular choices for living spaces both outdoors and in. Comfortable, sturdy, and attractive, wicker comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, making it complementary of countless decorating schemes. A natural product, wicker is a weave of reeds and plant fibers and as such, it requires specialized care to looks its best. Some approaches may be used on all types of wicker, while others are suitable for either outdoor or indoor pieces only. • Remove any cushions and clean them separately, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as proper care varies by fabric type. • Regular dusting with a soft cloth, microfiber duster, or feather duster helps keep any type of wicker looking great. • For heavier dust, use a small soft-bristled paintbrush;
to remove dirt from those crevices where wicker meets the furniture frame, switch to an old toothbrush. • Regularly clean wicker furniture with the brush attachment of your vacuum, being sure to set the suction to its lowest level to avoid causing damage. • Wicker pieces need a more thorough cleaning once or twice a year. Moisten a microfiber cloth or terry towel (or even a clean sock) with warm water, then gently rub the wicker surface, top and bottom. • For heavier dirt and stains, wipe with a cleaning cloth that’s been lightly moistened with warm water and mild soap; wipe again with plain water. • To eliminate mold or mildew, wipe with a mixture of 25% white vinegar and 75% water, then wipe again with plain water. • Before replacing the cushions, allow wicker to dry thoroughly in the sun; alternatively, use a hair dryer to hasten the process. • An effective all-purpose cleaning solution for outdoor wicker furniture is 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap and two cups of warm water.
Wipe the wicker with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse away the soapy suds with a garden hose. For mold and mildew removal, add one cup of white vinegar to the solution. • For tough dirt and stains, use the same solution in combination with a soft brush; an old toothbrush will help you get into the nooks and crannies. Afterward, make sure to rinse thoroughly with plain water and dry thoroughly. • When outdoor wicker is extremely dirty, use a hand steam-cleaner. Once you’ve steam-cleaned the entire piece, dry it thoroughly with a hair dryer (otherwise, wicker might bend or become deformed). For the very best results, steam-clean wicker furniture on a sunny, windy day to ensure quick drying. Related: Wicker Gone Wild: 10 Easy Ways to Transform Old into New • Avoid damaging wicker furniture by being careful not to press too hard on its slats. • If you have damaged or broken slats, make repairs with wood glue, allowing ample time for the glue to dry before continuing to clean.
Of course, if the damage is extensive, you may have to take the piece to a professional. • Do not use a stiff brush, a steel wool pad, or any harsh abrasives on wicker. Doing so could severely damage unfinished, natural wicker and could remove the protective finish from a lacquered piece. • Never saturate or let water pool on wicker, as moisture can result in either spotting or deformity, or both. Just a modicum of regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure that your wicker furniture and accessories provide many years of comfort and enjoyment.How to Clean Outdoor Furniture If your outdoor furniture needs a little TLC, follow these cleaning tips to freshen plastic, wood, metal, and glass. Share your take on this idea!Upload your photo here. Caring for Outdoor Furniture Routine cleanings are the key to keeping your outdoor furniture in pristine condition. For best results, you should clean outdoor furniture four times a year: Once at the beginning of summer, once at the end of summer, and a couple of times in between.
Tip: Store furniture indoors during winter months to prevent additional weathering and staining. Wood (includes teak and wicker) Use a mild oil-base soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap, mixed with warm water. For a do-it-yourself cleaning solution, mix 1⁄4 cup ammonia, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Commercial wood cleaners are often the most effective, but be sure to read directions carefully. Wicker and painted woods might require diluting the solution. For hard woods, consider annually sanding and applying a fresh coat of protective finish, such as oil, stain, or a polyurethane coating. Hose down wicker every few weeks to prevent dirt buildup in crevices. Regularly wiping down wood to remove dirt, debris, and excess water is the best way to protect it. Metal (includes wrought iron, cast iron, and aluminum) Oxidation is the most common problem with aluminum furniture. Before cleaning, remove as much of the imperfection as possible using a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
Avoid chemicals such as ammonia and trisodium phosphate (TSP); alkaline cleaners cause oxidation. Wash aluminum frequently to preserve its natural luster. Remove scuff marks from aluminum with a soft cloth dampened with a nonabrasive product, such as Soft Scrub. Combat rust by sanding it off along with damaged paint. Wipe off metal residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits or naphtha. Use a rust-resistant primer before painting with a rust-resistant paint. Consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection. To protect after cleanings, apply a coat (two for iron) of automotive wax. Dish detergent and home cleaning solutions are the most effective cleaners. Remove any stuck-on debris with a glass-safe, nonabrasive material. Many scrub brushes will scratch glass, so opt for one designed to tackle tough cleanup jobs without marking your furniture. After an initial cleaning, spray on white vinegar or glass cleaner and wipe away with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.
Clean the underside of a glass table at least once a month to prevent irreversible grime. Cover a glass table when it's not in use. Commercial window cleaners can't always keep your glass tables clean. Fix small scratches and chips in glass with a glass-repair kit from an automotive retailer. Clean frames of glass tables according to their material type. Plastic (includes hard-resin materials) 1/2 cup washing soda mixed with 1 gallon warm water 3 tablespoons automatic dishwasher detergent (contains mild bleaching agent) mixed with 1 gallon warm water For colored plastic: 1⁄4 cup vinegar mixed with 1 quart warm water For white plastic, avoid chlorine and bleach because they eat away at the material. For stubborn stains, dampen a clean rag with white distilled vinegar and wipe down the piece. Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to create a mild abrasive that will peel away stains but won't scratch surfaces. (Don't use abrasive cleaners; they will scratch plastic.)