How to Clean Wicker
Plastic, steel, wood, and bamboo are all common materials used for furniture, but aside from these, another popular item used is wicker. With its aesthetically-pleasing, native appearance, it adds a stylish flair to any home or office space. Just like other furniture, wicker needs proper maintenance, so it’ll last a long time. Here are some helpful tips on how to clean wicker.
What You’ll Need:
Vacuum, preferably one with attachments
Mild soap and water
Toothbrush
Glue (wood glue or regular glue will do)
Scissors
Bleach
Water
Garden hose and spray
Paintbrush
Paint
Clean and dry cloth
Examine It First
Just before you start cleaning your wicker, you must first check it all over, in case there are problem areas that need to be fixed first. For example, if there are loosened bits of material, reweave them and make sure you trim ragged areas too, so your cleaning brush or cloth won’t catch on them, and avoid further tearing.
Securing A Broken Reed
If you find a broken reed, just take a bit of wood glue and dab it onto the affected areas, preventing breakage and securing the reed. If you do find a broken reed and you pasted it with wood glue, wait a day before doing any further cleaning, so the glue’s drying won’t be affected. You can also try this method for peeling paint.
Weekly Dusting And Vacuuming
The easiest, but probably the most important way of maintaining wicker, is by regularly cleaning and dusting. Do this chore at least one to two times a week, more if the furniture is placed outside. To remove debris and dust, use a vacuum. Use the long-bristle brush tool attachment, if you’re getting into crevices and cracks. Don’t forget to check under the furniture, for cobwebs or dust that might have gotten there. You can also use a paintbrush when cleaning wicker. Just cut the bristles using scissors, to half their normal length, and use for stubborn debris.
Spills And Light Surface Dirt
If liquids spill on wicker, attend to it immediately, and remove using a clean, damp cloth. If you move quickly, there won’t be any staining. You can also use this method for removing light dirt found on the surface.
The Soap And Water Technique
Using soap and water also helps remove dirt and grime from wicker. Here’s how:
Prepare a small bucket of water and suds. Use mild detergent for this.
Get a soft scrub brush or sponge and work the suds in the wicker crevices.
Using a hose with a spray attachment, remove the soap all over the wicker.
Dry using a clean and soft towel, and leave it to dry more, for a few days. Don’t use it until it’s completely dry, otherwise, it’ll become disfigured.
The best day to do this is when it’s windy, so the wicker will dry faster. Make sure you don’t disturb the weave pattern of your wicker while it’s still wet, otherwise, you’ll end up disfiguring the shape. If you see it sagging, don’t worry; its normal shape will return once it dries.
Removing And Preventing Mold And Mildew
Damp or humid conditions can easily cause your furniture to have mold and mildew. Prevent this from happening, by taking your furniture away from these areas. Don’t put your wicker furniture in places where it’s exposed to elements, otherwise the wicker and the frame can be destroyed.
If mildew and mold to appear, remove them using a water and mild bleach cleaning solution. Apply it onto the furniture, and gently scrub using a toothbrush. Rinse with clean water, and let dry before using it again.
Peeling Paint
If your wicker is painted, don’t even think about stripping it. The reeds can turn very brittle. Instead, cover the peeling paint with spray paint, at least one or two coatings. If there’s paint clogging the weave, remove it properly with an ice pick, an awl or a small screwdriver. Make sure you follow instructions on the paint, or you might end up with unpleasant results.
Wicker looks lovely, as long as it’s properly taken care of. Remember these tactics when removing dirt from your wicker materials, and you’ll reap great results later on.