In tropical countries like those in Asia, wicker furniture is a typical piece in most abodes. A wicker furniture is characterized by hard woven fiber made out of a mixture of plant origins that are then formed into a rigid solid material. The most popular plants used to form wicker furniture are rattan, reed, and bamboo. And what kind of furniture is commonly made out of these plants? Certainly, it’s a wicker chair. When I was in the Philippines, I saw a lot of living room pieces of furniture made of wicker. The Philippines has several tropical palm tree processing plants and the finished goods the companies produced are being exported to the United States. Now, do not be confused with the term “wicker” as some may be flustered with what could be the difference between a wicker furniture and a rattan furniture, or a wicker furniture and a bamboo furniture. When we speak of “wicker,” that means a combination of different kinds of plants and materials weaved into one piece, whereas if we speak of a rattan chair for example, that means the entire chair is made of rattan only. Same goes with a bamboo furniture.
Aside from that minimal concern, you may be wondering how do you clean wicker chairs, given that they are made of natural materials. Wicker furniture can withstand moisture, but only to a certain extent, that is why it is only recommended in tropical countries because if it absorbs too much liquid, it would become saggy and may produce unpleasant smell and mold accumulation.
Cleaning a wicker furniture is very simple. You may use a vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle brush so that it won’t damage the exterior. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, you may use a paint brush or cleaning brush to get rid of dusts and hairs in crevices. If you have a synthetic wicker furniture, a soft clean cloth can suffice for cleaning. If you accidentally spill on the furniture, immediately wipe it using a sponge with water and mild soap. Do not forget to squeeze the sponge first before wiping. In case molds and mildew grow on the furniture, combine half a cup of bleach and half a cup of water and use a sponge to wipe clean the affected parts. Do not, ever, drench the furniture with any liquid substance if you can’t make it dry immediately because it may damage its quality. The only liquid substances you may use to clean a wicker furniture are mild detergents, mild bleach, mild dehumidifier, Murphy’s oil soap, ammonia, and water.