30+ year veteran wicker furniture restoration expert, Cathryn Peters, owner of The Wicker Woman, a wicker repair, seat weaving and basket business, offers hints and tips for keeping your woven wicker furniture in optimum year-round shape. To enjoy your wicker furniture for many years to come, use Cathryn’s following care and maintenance tips:
by Cathryn Peters Copyright 2003
To remove surface dust, regularly vacuum wicker furniture using the soft bristle brush attachment.
To get stubborn dirt, fuzz, or animal hair out of the crevices use a new, dry paintbrush to brush it out, or use an ice-pick, awl or tweezers to pull out the material.
Wipe up any spills with a clean cloth, dampened with a light detergent or Murphy’s Oil Soap in water.
Reed wicker can be thoroughly cleaned outdoors by using the spray hose and light detergent. Rinse well and dry completely before using again. Use caution here, because water can lift the finish. Paper fibre rush wicker should never be immersed in water, since it’s made of twisted paper and may be destroyed by water soaking or spraying.
Maintain even humidity in your home to keep antique wicker happy.
Too low humidity level causes the wicker to dry out and become brittle, but too high humidity subjects the wicker to mold and mildew. Consider using a dehumidifier if your furniture is subjected to high humidity conditions or at least move the wicker piece to an area with good air circulation.
If you do notice mold or mildew growing on your wicker furniture, clean immediately with a solution of bleach in water.
Vacuum it first, then use a soft-bristle brush to remove dirt and mold, wash with bleach solution, rinse well, then dry thoroughly in the shade on a warm, windy day. Do not sit on until completely dry, about two or three days. Remove the wicker piece from the area that allowed mold and mildew to collect on it in the first place, and relocate to an area with good air circulation and low humidity.
To add life to the seats of your wicker furniture, use padded chair seat cushions.
This hint is especially good for both a woven reed wicker and paper fibre seats, but also for any cane seat that’s over 14 inches in diameter.
Never subject your antique wicker furniture to the harsh weather elements of sun, rain, snow or wind.
The fibers deteriorate from the sun, becoming dry and brittle, and the glue joints might loosen. The fibers can also deteriorate from the excess moisture of dew, rain, and snow, causing the furniture’s hardwood frames to warp. Using your antique wicker on unprotected decks or out in the garden is a big “no-no” however, a 3-season porch or porch with wide overhang is usually tolerated for limited periods.
Decorating with wicker.
Get the same wicker decorating effects outdoors by using inexpensive, easily replaceable, wicker furniture or faux wicker made of resin, plastic or fiberglass. Take care of those precious antiques and family heirlooms and remember, “Once an antique wicker piece is gone, it’s gone forever. You can’t make another antique to use during your lifetime!”
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