Our Guide To Protect Rattan Outdoor Furniture

When it comes to outdoor patio furniture, few materials are as durable and desirable as rattan. Rattan is lightweight, easy to move, and yet can be easily altered with different colors and cushions to fulfill your outdoor furniture needs. But even so, you shouldn’t simply purchase rattan furniture and toss them outside without any kind of protection. Rattan is durable, but it isn’t indestructible, and over time, the elements will break down rattan and wicker furniture in the winter unless you help protect it.

Thankfully, protecting your rattan outdoor furniture isn’t all that complicated, and you can do it with a series of easy steps. So, whether you purchased your rattan furniture second-hand or want to buy directly from us at the Rattan Wicker Furniture Company, here is how to protect rattan outdoor furniture.

Weather Proof Your Rattan Furniture

When buying new rattan furniture, it will say on the packaging whether the furniture has been water-proofed or not. However, if you are purchasing the furniture second-hand or the rattan has not been water-proofed by the manufacturer, you will need to do this on your own.

But don’t worry, it isn’t difficult to waterproof the furniture and, by doing so, you’ll immediately extend the life of the furniture. To start, you will want to pick up fine grain sandpaper and sand down the furniture. As-is, the rattan furniture is too slick and smooth to adequately hold onto the protective layer you will be adding, so the fine grain sandpaper will rough up the rattan just enough to provide a little grit.

Clean off the rattan furniture with a damp rag. You can spray it down with a hose if you’d like, although if you do this, you will need to wait longer for it to dry. Do not proceed to the next step until the furniture is completely dry.

Now that it is dry, apply a yacht varnish to the rattan outdoor furniture. This will protect the furniture from moisture and deterioration caused by natural elements. Allow this to dry, and then apply a second coat. You will want to apply three coats in total. This protective application will prevent moisture from seeping in and protect against harmful UV rays.

Protective Cover

During the cold winter months, when you will not be outside using the furniture for weeks on end, you should invest in a protective cover for your furniture. This cover slips on top of the rattan and wicker furniture. This will further protect against the rain and any snow that might fall. The biggest problem with snow is that once it falls, it will sit right on top of the furniture until it melts, which gives it extra time to work through the protective varnish and seep into the material itself. The protective cover protects against this wind and helps keep little critters away from the furniture. Critters looking to chew at the furniture and use the rattan in their own nests is a major concern and a top cause of deterioration. The protective cover will protect against this as well.

Remove Mold and Mildew Immediately

Over time, it is possible for some mold and mildew to form amidst the grooves of the furniture. The weaving of the fibers can lock moisture in and, if it is not dried, may develop mold and mildew.

However, just because mold and mildew begin to form does not mean you instantly need to toss the furniture into the trash and replace it. No, you’re able to save the furniture by acting right away. The best way to kill off the mold and mildew is to utilize a bleach solution and wipe the rattan furniture down. While you will want to target the notable area, you will be best served to wipe the entire piece of furniture down, as some mold spores may have spread to other areas of the furniture that you do not yet see.

After scrubbing the area with the bleach solution (make sure to wash your hands when you’re done; otherwise, you will irritate and even damage the skin). Again, this wouldn’t be a bad time to sand away the rattan furniture’s top layer and apply another protective layer. This will seal the rattan furniture away from future moisture and mold development.

Furniture Pads

The feet of the furniture are the most susceptible area for possible damage. This is because the furniture will be sitting on damp grass, hot cement, or mounds of snow for extended periods. In order to further protect your rattan furniture, you should invest in furniture pads. These pads are slider bits of rubber that will add a protective buffer between the bottom of the furniture and the ground below. Felt options are also available, but you should only consider felt if the furniture is going to be used inside or if it will be placed on a wood deck. You will be better off placing rubber furniture pads under the feet in any other situation. This way, you won’t experience any saturation and damage to the bottom of the furniture.

Find Your Next Outdoor Furniture Today

Are you currently shopping around for new outdoor furniture? Are you not satisfied with the look or feel of the furniture you have right now? Or maybe you’ve been relying on foldable, portable seating, ready to step up to permanent outdoor furniture. Whatever the situation you are in, here at Rattan Wicker Furniture Company, we offer a wide selection of furniture made in High Point, North Carolina. So if you know exactly what you want and are ready to buy, or you have questions about what furniture you should consider for your home property, feel free to give us a call or fill out the Contact Us form right on our Rattan Wicker Furniture Company website.