One of our customers asked: “Can you clean my outside rattan furniture consisting of a 7 seater corner sofa, sofa table, a large dining table and 10 chairs as well as a large cushion box?”
Yes, of course we can clean! We arranged a one-off cleaning and advised him to buy a specific cleaning product for the granite top stones on the table. We would like to share our experience with you.
First let me explain what exactly is Rattan:
Rattan furniture is an eco-friendly style of furniture made from woven palm plants. With over 600 different species of palms, rattan is an all encompassing phrase. Rattan furniture is commonly used as outdoor patio furniture, but has a certain charm about it inside the house as well. Rattan furniture is very easy to clean and take care of. This strong and durable material is extremely lightweight and is commonly used for furniture, rugs and baskets. Whether you choose to display your rattan indoors or out, following these steps will keep your rattan clean and in good repair.
Please get the following things:
- Brush attachment and vacuum cleaner
- Soft, clean cloth
- Bucket or bowl
- Dishwashing detergent
- Toothbrush
- Boiled linseed oil
Please follow our instruction for the best results:
- Vacuum the furniture with a crush attachment on the vacuum to remove any loose dust and dirt
- Remove any cushions that may be on the furniture;
- Mix a solution of 1 bucket (around 2 litres) of warm water and 3 table spoons of dishwashing detergent in a bucket;
- Wipe down the furniture completely with soft, clean cloth or sponge dipped in the solution. Use a toothbrush to get into the areas that are harder to clean;
- The slight moisture cleans without over-wetting the rattan, which can cause damage;
- Rinse the furniture with clear water- please DON’T over wet the furniture!
- To restore dry, cracked, or split rattan, apply boiled linseed oil with a brush. When the furniture won’t absorb any more oil, wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Allow it to dry or harden before using the rattan again;
- For a thorough cleaning or to remove stains, apply detergent and scrub with slightly more water than you do for routine cleaning. As soon as you’re done, dry the rattan with a hot hair dryer or set it out in the sun. Once the rattan has dried completely, apply a coat of lacquer with a paintbrush to provide added protection if desired. Repeat annually.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Although rattan may be used outdoors, it’s best not to leave it in the sun or otherwise exposed to the elements. The material will break down much more quickly under these circumstances.
- Place rubber stoppers under the legs of rattan. The cushion helps keep the material from cracking or splitting.
- Make sure you use BOILED linseed oil. Raw linseed oil will not dry or harden.
Clean contact us for more information or to book a service.
Phone: 02088054570 Mobile: 07931145117 email: [email protected] or www.iva-cleaninglondon.co.uk
