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How to clean wicker, bamboo and rattan furniture and baskets

Updated: Sep 26, 2022

These materials are in fashion, for their warmth, freshness and natural appearance. But to show them off with style, you have to take into account how they are cleaned correctly. To wash it or not to wash it, to use bleach or not... We reveal all the secrets!


Rattan, wicker and bamboo are natural materials used to make many different types of furniture and accessories, from baskets to hats to headboards. Although it is a material that is most pleasing to the eye, it is also the one that creates the most confusion when thinking about washing it. Many people live in love with this material, but they question daily how to clean the rattan of decorative pieces or remove dirt and dust from bamboo furniture. Next, we will show you some quick and effective tips that you should keep in mind when cleaning rattan or any other similar material.


HOW TO CLEAN WICKER AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS


Wicker, as well as other fibers, such as rattan or bamboo, can be washed with water, as long as you avoid getting them too wet. Therefore, it is not advisable to put them under tap water or spray them with a hose. If you avoid this bad practice, you will ensure that fungi or other species do not appear on our damp furniture. Moreover, if you have wicker furniture or other materials outside, it is best to protect them on rainy days.



The best way to keep our fiber furniture clean and cared for is by carrying out regular weekly maintenance, thus preventing dirt from accumulating excessively in the nooks and crannies of the braided shape.


TAKE CARE OF YOUR FIBER FURNITURE REGULARLY


As when cleaning natural fiber rugs, to avoid a first layer of dirt on our garden furniture, pots, boxes or other objects, you can gently vacuum, which will absorb much of this first initial layer of dust. This prevents an excessive accumulation of dust on our furniture and we will ensure that it lasts much longer.

If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, you can remove this weekly layer of dust using a fine cloth that does not leave particles of threads, as they could end up getting entangled in the fibers. To do this, lightly wet the cloth you are going to use for cleaning and gently pass it over the entire surface.


HOW TO REMOVE STAINS ON RATTAN, WICKER OR BAMBOO


In the event that an object made with fibers has a stain that you want to remove, we will also recommend some essential tips for removing a stain.

First and foremost, you should know that bleach is very harmful to this type of material and it doesn't hurt to avoid it at all costs. There are other remedies that are just as useful for cleaning wicker, rattan or bamboo furniture and that are much less aggressive with the composition of natural fibers. They are the following:

Use water and detergent. Use hot water and neutral detergent as an effective stain remover on wicker, rattan and bamboo furniture. Put a little detergent on top of the stain and rub gently with a damp cloth. If the stain resists, rinse it again with soap and rub again. Then, let it dry in the open air, avoiding the sun.

Use salt water. Dissolve coarse salt in a teaspoon of hot water. Moisten a cloth with the mixture and rub until it is removed. Let it dry in the open air, avoiding direct sun, as it could damage the fibers.

Add ammonia. For more stubborn stains, try adding ammonia to the detergent and water mixture and rubbing with the same cloth. Always follow the grain of the braid to avoid damaging the material during contact with the cloth. Let it dry in the open air, also avoiding putting it in direct sunlight.



WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE HUMIDITY?


If your fiber furniture has caught moisture, mold stains may appear on these natural fibers. These types of spots are much blacker and less circular than a normal spot. To clean these unsightly marks on wicker, rattan, or bamboo furniture, use hot water and bleach to kill the fungus. A most effective remedy! After applying the mixture on the mold stain, let it dry, preferably in the shade.


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