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| Photo by Tolleva |
Summertime…the living is easy and often outdoors. If
you do a lot of outdoor entertaining over the summer, you probably have some
wicker furniture on your patio or deck. Wicker is the umbrella term for
furnishings made from woven natural materials such as willow, cane, sea grass,
and rattan. It goes hand-in-hand with outdoor entertaining, but it can also be
difficult to keep it looking great. Here are some tips for extending the life
of your wicker furniture.
1. Keeping your wicker clean is paramount, but it can
be hard to get into all those tiny crevices. The brush attachment of your
vacuum cleaner works best for this. After vacuuming, wipe the wicker down with
a damp cloth. For stubborn stains use a soft bristle brush dipped in dish
detergent or Murphy’s Oil and warm water. Rinse well afterwards.
2. The sun is not only an enemy of your skin, it also
wreaks havoc on your outdoor furniture. Wicker can fade and crack from the
sun’s harsh rays. If part of your deck or patio is in shade, rotate your
furniture so the same pieces are not constantly exposed to sunlight. Also,
condition your wicker with a light coat of lemon oil every couple of months.
3. Along with the sun, rain is another enemy of
wicker because it weakens the fibers, thus causing the furniture joints to
loosen. It also becomes a magnet for mold and mildew in areas with lots of
humidity. Painted wicker will also tend to chip and peel from excessive
exposure to moisture. That’s why it’s important to keep your wicker pieces out
of the elements. Wicker will do best when kept under a covered porch or awning.
You might also want to consider storing your wicker furniture indoors when not
in use.
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