Due to its durability and attractive wicker weave style, rattan garden furniture is a popular choice for many gardeners and outdoor lovers alike. To increase the longevity of your garden furniture, it’s important to take good care of it and clean it regularly.
We recommend cleaning your rattan outdoor furniture twice a year to keep it looking its best. Cleaning rattan doesn’t need to be difficult: follow our easy steps below so you can get back to relaxing and enjoying your time outdoors.
What’s the best way to clean rattan furniture?
What you’ll need:
- Handheld vacuum or brush hoover attachment
- A bucket of warm water
- Gentle detergent or natural washing-up liquid
- Garden hose
- Soft cloth or sponge
- An old towel
- Toothbrush
Cleaning method:
- Strip the furniture set of any fabric items and put them aside.
- Use the handheld vacuum or brush attachment to remove loose dust or debris.
- Fill your bucket of warm water and mix in a couple of drops of detergent or washing-up liquid.
- Using your soft cloth or sponge, gently rub the warm soapy water over your furniture set to loosen any dirt. Don’t forget to fill the bucket with clean water when required.
- Once your garden furniture has been gently scrubbed, use the toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas between the weave.
- Take your garden hose and lightly hose off any remaining dirt or soap.
- After rinsing, turn off your hose and use an old towel to dry the excess water. Let your furniture air dry before you put your cushions or throws back on and start using it again.
How do you remove the green algae from rattan furniture?
If your furniture hasn’t been regularly cleaned, you may find green algae appearing in certain areas. To remove spots of green algae from your rattan, add two parts of white vinegar to one part water and three spoons of baking soda. Use a scrubbing brush to apply the vinegar and water mix to the algae stains.
Leave the solution to work its magic for about ten minutes before wiping off any residue. If you find the stain is stubborn to remove, repeat the steps again, adding on more of the solution.
Keeping your garden furniture clean, situated in a non-humid environment and protected with a suitable furniture cover will prevent mildew or algae from forming.
Can you use bleach on rattan?
Avoid using bleach or any harsh chemicals on your rattan garden furniture as this can lead to cracking.
Can you pressure wash rattan?
We recommend avoiding the use of pressure washers on rattan as this can prove too forceful and cause permanent damage to the weave.
For more guidance on protecting your garden furniture all year round or on cleaning other types of furniture, visit our ‘How to clean garden furniture’ guide.