Taking Care of Your Wicker Outdoor Furniture

Relaxing and entertaining family and friends is an enjoyable way to pass the warm days in the summer. That is why many choose to furnish the backyard with wicker outdoor furniture. This provides a comfortable, attractive place to gather as well as being affordable and generally easy to care for.

Wicker is considered a dust magnet by many, especially since, because of the weave patterns it has a lot of crevices for dirt and dust to hide in. To help control the dust that gathers, regularly vacuuming the wicker furniture with a soft brush is recommended. When vacuuming the wicker, it is important to follow the direction of the weave to prevent any pieces from breaking and to get into all the crevices.

After the dust and dirt are removed, it is suggested that you clean it with soapy water. For those cracks and crevices, a toothbrush can be used to dislodge any debris that has become stuck. After you are done washing the wicker, just rinse it off with a hose. It should then be set in the shade to dry, which can take two or three days. The best time to do this is on a warm and breezy day.

Mildew and mold can be a problem with wicker furniture that isn’t properly cared for. The weaves are perfect places for moisture to build up causing the problem. You’ll be able to tell if this is affecting your furniture by looking for discoloration and black dots on the wicker. When you see this, simply spray with a mix of bleach and water and let set about five minutes. Rinse off when done and if necessary, repeat.

You can further protect your outdoor wicker furniture by painting it or adding varnish. But, before doing something like that, you’ll want to apply a deglosser. A deglosser will enable the varnish or the paint to adhere to the wicker. This is something that can be picked up in many of the home improvement stores and is easy to apply.

When paint is used, you’ll need to select one that is weather resistant and made for the outdoors. The best way to apply paint is by spraying it on so it goes on evenly, but you can use any method easiest for you. Varnish or lacquer is a choice many use when they want to keep the natural color yet still want to protect it. Some suggest adding a coat of liquid furniture wax afterwards for added protection and beauty.

Outdoor wicker furniture should be kept in shaded areas as direct sunlight can deteriorate wicker. Having a tarp on hand to cover the pieces during bad weather will also help minimize the affect of moisture. During the bad weather and cold seasons it would be best to protect the furniture by taking it inside. A garage or shed is perfect, but the wicker still needs to be kept covered and away from all heat sources while being stored.

When choosing outdoor furniture you want something that is comfortable and beautiful, and wicker is the perfect choice. It is versatile as well as attractive, giving the backyard an elegant look when placed properly. However, to ensure the life of your wicker furniture, proper care and cleaning is required so you can enjoy many summers with it.

Doc Number: 19363027501

Author Bio: If you’re interested in resin wicker patio furniture, then visit Gabriel Meriwether’s site and select from an amazing outdoor loveseat available.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: patio furniture,furniture patio,resin wicker patio furniture,outdoor loveseat

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