Caring for a Wickerwork Outdoor Furniture
Wickerwork is a style of outdoor furniture commonly painted in white and weaved into a specific design. This type of furnishing is made of osiers, twigs or rods. Wickerwork is considered the most comfortable and pleasing type of furniture you can acquire. As early as 3rd millennium B.C., the Egyptians are already making furniture of this kind. A good early example of wickerwork is the Roman chair on a 3rd-century-ad relief in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum at Trier, Germany.
Although, wickerwork is immensely used as indoor furniture, its refreshing finish makes it a great option for outdoor furniture. However, prolong exposure to harsh elements can cause it to wither rapidly. Wickerwork requires your utmost care and attention for it to last for years.
One of the harsh elements than can cause it to wither is sunlight. Exposing the furniture in direct sunlight for a long time will cause the materials to dry out. When this happens, the materials will tear apart. You can store wickerwork furniture indoors when not used. This will prevent it from loosing moisture and sagging. If exposing to sunlight cant be helped, you can protect the furniture with a cover or locate it in protected area.
You can also occasionally moisten the furniture using a spray bottle or a damp cloth. While doing this regular cleaning, you can also check the furniture for loose pieces or breaks. Minor breaks can be fixed with wood glue. Just make sure you had dust off the parts before daubing to keep it away from ugly smudge. Do this routine once a month, on a well-ventilated area and on a sunny day.
If small brittle and dry parts start to appear, a generous coat of latex paint can save it from loosing moisture. Coating it with latex paint also keeps it from looking always new. Wickerwork especially chair seat tends to sag over the time. To fix this, turn the furniture upside down and wet the bottom using a damp cloth or sponge. Dry the chair for 12 hours to one day to shrink it back to original shape.
If exposed to humid and cold weather, mildew can form in the furniture. The mildew can be removed by using a soft-bristle brush or sponge and mild soap. Light cleaning for wickerwork furniture will ensure durability and long life. If the furniture has accumulated too much dirt, it is good to vacuum it first before manual cleaning. Use a soft-bristle brush and a mild detergent mixed with water or wood oil in cleaning the furniture.
Dirt and crevices can build up in hard to brush areas and sometimes this dirt are not so much visible unless with closer look. Hose down your furniture with water to clear this unnecessary element. Then, dampen the furniture with a dry soft cloth and make sure the furniture will dry up overnight or the next 24 hours.
Damages caused by accidental bumps, scratches and kicks are also an enemy of wickerwork furniture. To protect your furniture from the kids and pets, you can use vinyl and plastic covers but the best armor will still be discipline among family members and placing the furniture in a less accident-prone area.
A wickerwork is an outdoor furniture that brings ease, comfort and beauty to your home and business area. Just like any other furnishings, its long-life and durability requires proper care and attention so it is important to know the basics of its maintenance and cleaning.