Wicker furniture is at once delicate and a little rustic. Make sure this unique style of furniture stays beautiful for years with regular maintenance and cleaning. Use our easy steps to get clean wicker furniture.
How to Clean
Wicker furniture can be cleaned with a cloth or sponge and warm soapy water. Simply remove any cushions and wipe down with a damp rag. To rinse, wipe down again with a cloth or sponge dampened with only clean water.
Dry your wicker immediately after washing. Don’t let water sit on the wicker as it could cause spots or discoloration.
How to Remove Mold and Mildew
As soon as you see mold growing on wicker, clean it immediately. Vacuum or dust to first remove loose dirt. Then dampen a rag with a solution of vinegar and water. Wipe down the moldy area completely. Let the furniture completely air dry before using.
A Note about Bleach
Many people automatically think of bleach when it comes to killing mold. Bleach will kill mold, but only when it’s growing on non-porous materials. The mold-killing ingredients in bleach cannot be absorbed by porous surfaces. This means that bleach cannot reach the “roots” of mold growing on a porous material and will be ineffectual.
How to Maintain Wicker Furniture
Wicker is a textured surface that can potentially catch a lot of dust and dirt. Regular maintenance is important to keep it in the best shape. That being said, you don’t have to wash the wicker all the time. For lighter cleanings, just vacuum the furniture using the soft bristle brush attachment. Try to get in all the cracks; for hard-to-reach areas, dust with a clean toothbrush or paintbrush.
If something gets stuck in the surface of wicker furniture, use tweezers to pull it out.
Keep Wicker Out of Harsh Weather
If you have outdoor wicker furniture, be sure to keep it out of harsh weather conditions. Store your outdoor wicker in the garage or another safe place during the winter. Also protect your wicker from lots of rain, snow, storms, and excessive heat.
Having Clean Wicker Furniture is Easy!
Cleaning wicker furniture is about as difficult as sitting in wicker furniture, i.e. not at all. These simple methods will ensure your wicker looks relaxing and remains a comfortable place to rest for a long time. If you don’t feel like doing this chore yourself though, see if a local house cleaning company can help.