wicker furniture

Wicker refers to any furniture that is made of woven material. Typical materials include rattan, bamboo, and seagrass. Like any other wood, wicker needs to be oiled in order to stay in good condition. However, due to the weaving, it can be difficult to get to all the surfaces that need oil.

The first step is to clean the furniture. For something like a rattan chair, vacuum it using a brush attachment to knock all the dust and debris loose in between the weave. Then wipe the chair down with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.

Find any type of natural wood oil, and mix it with some thinner with it to make the oil of a lighter consistency. Use a brush to apply the oil. The use of a brush helps to work the oil into all the cracks and crevices. Allow the oil to set for an hour. Then use a dry cloth to buff the wicker, absorbing any excess oil. When rubbing the cloth, go with the weave, or you risk leaving oil in the weave, and you may also fray the rag, leaving lint on the chair.

Repeat the process two or three times, and wait two days in between each coat. The wood material will appear darker while the oil is wet, but will dry to a lighter color again.

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