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Outdoor furniture comes in several different types and made out of different materials but the most elegant and popular is wicker furniture. Wicker has been the chosen type of outdoor furniture in England and America during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the style can be fancy or simple. Most wicker furniture of today are copies of Victorian style furniture and it does tend to cost more than other types of furniture, but it can last you for many years.

Wicker furniture usually is made in a natural fiber with a protective coating or it can be painted in a variety of colors. Wicker may look fragile but it is actually very durable. It usually needs to be cleaned when it is ready to be used in the spring mainly because it can grow some mold over the winter. If you have mold on your furniture it can be cleaned with one tablespoon bleach mixed with one gallon of water scrubbed on the mold with a toothbrush. After the mold comes off you need to rinse the furniture with a sponge and clean water then wipe it down with a dry cloth.

Your wicker may escape mold during the winter. It will, however, be a little dirty after storage for the winter but will only need to be washed with a sponge and some soapy water. Never use a hose and spray the furniture as this can easily warp the wood that lies beneath the woven wicker. Never sit on wicker furniture until it is totally dry. When the canes are wet they tend to stretch and any weight can make them bend and stretch and they won’t go back into shape. Another way to clean wicker is to use the vacuum and accompanying brush to suck of any dust.

Too much sunlight and heat can damage wicker by drying out the canes and causing them to be brittle. Wicker furniture should always be in on a covered porch. Large quantities of rain can warp the wood and break the canes. Store you wicker furniture inside during the winter as moisture and cold temperatures accompanied by wind can render it useless. It is a great idea to tarp the furniture while storing so that it stays clean and tidy for use in the spring. Watch where you store it and make sure it is not near anything that gives off heat. Heat dries the wicker and causes it to crack.

Wicker furniture comes painted in some cases and there are times when the paint starts to flake and peal. Make it look new by cleaning it off and drying it. Use spray paint in the original color or in another color if you like. Always use a matt finish on wicker and make sure you get between all the canes. Never sit on the furniture until it is dry. Never use stripper on wicker to take off paint that is already there. This can cause a lot of damage if you don’t know what you are doing. Just paint over the old paint. You may have a few imperfections but they won’t be noticeable. If you use stripper there can be more damage than the wicker can take.

Natural wicker will also need some freshening. Varnish, shellac, or lacquer is always applied to natural wicker in order to protect it from the rain and sun. This coating will need to be renewed every once in awhile. Use a spray varnish, shellac, or lacquer as it is easier to apply. Some professionals say to wipe on a thin coat of liquid wax for furniture as well. This lends a glossy look to the furniture and water will be repelled. Wicker can start to unravel at the ends near the legs and if yours starts to do that immediately take it to a professional. This is difficult for you to fix yourself. Wicker furniture can last long enough for your grandchildren to enjoy it in their own homes if it is taken care of properly.

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