Rattan is something that is made out of plant fibers and is durable and flexible because of it. This makes it an optimal material to use for crafting furniture. Even with these qualities, this type of furniture needs special care to keep it long-lasting. It truly is the Goldilocks of materials for furniture. It’s never going to be happy unless it’s getting optimal treatment. Everything needs to be just right including the humidity and temperature. Keeping your furniture clean and storing it in the right environment can help to maximize your chances of keeping it fresh for the future.
- Not Too Dry
This type of material is effectively dried out the plant matter. Because of this, it’s very easy to get even more brittle and dry if it’s left in the wrong conditions. If it’s used on a porch or a patio in warmer weather, it should be properly covered and protected from excessive sun exposure and rain. Along with this, you want to keep it away from heating ducts or even fireplaces. If you have dry air inside, you might want to install a humidifier to keep the air adequately moist.
- Not Too Damp
As mentioned, this material is very particular. This is why you don’t want to keep it in too damp of conditions either. Any humid environment could lead to the material developing mold and mildew. Keep the material from being subjected to rainfall. This is why you generally want to keep your rattan material furniture indoors.
- Keep It Right
One of the main things you will need to do if you want to care for furniture is keeping it in optimal condition. Doing basic maintenance can go a long way towards keeping it in ideal condition. You will want to dust it with a gentle feather duster and use a tool to reach areas that you would normally have a tough time with. You could always use a soft cloth that has been slightly dampened for spot cleaning. You can even add some oil soap into the furniture to get rid of spots and stains. When you are using water to clean the material, try to ensure that you dry it out afterward to keep it from staying wet.
- Mold and Mildew
When you leave furniture made out of rattan in storage for a while, it is likely to develop a strong musty odor. If you notice there are smaller specks on the furniture, it could mean mold is growing. You should get rid of these spots by wiping them down with a mix of bleach and water. Don’t use too much of the solution because you don’t want to get it too wet. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush when you are looking to remove them. You can even use a soft sponge to wipe down the furniture. Afterward, you should allow your rattan to sit outside on a dry yet windy day. You can continue to do this until you notice it no longer smells of musty odor.