furniture
Wicker Chairs - Outdoor Proofing For the Indoor Furniture
Traditionally, wicker has held a liminal spot between the worlds of indoor and outdoor furniture. Many would say that to take wicker chairs outdoor is crazy; and yet, much of wicker furniture is specifically marketed for outdoor use. The material is overall more delicate than other materials normally reserved for outdoor furniture, including metal, resin and wood chairs. Outdoor elements can be especially harsh, so ideally wicker lasts the longest when kept indoors or in a sunroom, but it can go outside for limited amounts of time with the right care. The following tips can be applied for both indoor and outdoor use.
Types of Wicker
First of all, there are various types of wicker, like cane and rattan, some of which are heartier than others. For example, one type of wicker called paper fiber should never get even the slightest bit wet or it will fall apart. To avoid this problem altogether, you can also get a pretty good wicker replica made out of resin. They're better for outdoor use but lack the elegant charm of real wicker.
Dusting
Regular dusting will better preserve the quality of wicker chairs. Outdoor dust and grime can more easily get stuck in all of the many crevices, more so than with other furniture. Besides using a traditional duster, you may consider employing a hand vac or small brush to get in all of those harder to reach spots.
Moisture Control
Wicker's biggest downfall is its aversion to moisture, so take with your chairs. Outdoor elements are hard to control, and in addition to the usual moisture, like rain showers, you will also need to take into account things like dew. Wipe off your furniture after any downpours, and use a tarp when your chairs are not in use, like during prolonged spells of bad weather or overnight. Ironically, as much as wicker dislikes moisture, it enjoys a good amount of humidity. If the weather is especially hot and dry, this dries out the wicker fibers and can cause chairs to creak or even crack under the pressure. So if you live in a more arid region of the country, you can wipe chairs regularly using a damp (not wet) sponge.
Spills
If you get spills other than water on chairs, wipe them off as soon as they occur, or else you risk the liquid setting into the fibers of the wicker. By then, it will be much more difficult to clean. Use a damp rag to wipe the area clean, and if the stain has begun to dry, use soap and warm water to break it up. Be careful not to let the chair get too wet, though. This will slowly break down the chairs. Outdoor furniture is sturdier and so can be clean using a number of different cleaners, but as wicker is more fragile, stay away from harsh solvents, cleaners and power sprayers, all of which can damage the fibers.
Finishes
As part of the special care that wicker requires, you should check the condition of your chairs once a year. It's easiest to do at the beginning of summer or whenever you take your furniture out of winter storage. If the varnish is peeling, you will need to recoat the entire piece. Sand it down and clean it first so that the finish sticks better; adding a fresh coat of varnish will not only protect the wicker, but will keep it looking newer. If, on the other hand your wicker chairs are painted, you may need to add another coat. In this case, spray on paints work well to cover the many nooks throughout the woven fibers. After that you may opt for a thin coat of liquid furniture on top of your finish to add to the overall gloss of your furniture.