Just imagine your rattan cube garden furniture in the middle of your garden or among your plants. It provides an oasis of relaxation amid the greenery and flowers. It can be a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of a busy day or provide a place to relax during sunny weekends. Rattan is the perfect material for outdoor use because it is durable so it will last a long time, lightweight making it easy for you to bring indoors during extreme weather and affordable with lots of options to choose from. Rattan also needs minimal upkeep. Here are some tips to follow.
Dry ASAP
Gardens can be damp and wet particularly if you're watering your plants or during early in the morning. The good news is that rattan is durable. It has a solid inner core so it will last a long time. Rattan won't deteriorate as easily as other types of wood when it gets wet. However keeping it wet too long and too often could speed up the break-down process of the inner core. You can prevent this by wiping down your rattan garden furniture as soon as you're done watering your plants.
Use Damp Cloth
When furniture is left outdoors it can be susceptible to dust. One of the best ways to remove dust is by wiping down your furniture with a damp cloth. Remember to squeeze out the extra water since you only need to keep it damp to lift up the dust. Wiping down every couple of days should keep your furniture shiny and dust free.
Soft Brush
In some types of weave for rattan furniture, dust can penetrate nooks and crannies very easily. These areas cannot be reached by a damp cloth so the best alternative is to sweep away the dust using a soft brush. Use gentle strokes only to dislodge the dust. A hard brush or pressure could damage the varnish or paint job.
Vacuum
If you don't fancy using a damp cloth or soft brush, the vacuum will work just as well. Vacuuming is a good and gentle way to lift dust off your furniture. A couple of passes each week should do the job. When vacuuming, include the cloth fabrics that cover the cushions as well.
Wash Cushions
If your garden furniture has cushions wash the cover periodically. This will keep them clean and looking like new. Different fabrics have different cleaning techniques. If you are using canvass for example, it is not advisable to throw it in the washing machine as it can damage the fabric. Use warm water, some mild detergent and hand wash the covers whenever possible. Know what kind of fabric you have and check the manufacturer or internet as to their cleaning care.
Re-paint
When the paint job gets too faded re-paint your garden furniture with a couple of coats of fresh paint or varnish. Re-painting it will give new life to your furnishing and freshen up its look. You can also opt to paint it a different color to match your mood or theme.
A little info. on the rattan palm: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-rattan-palm.htm