How to Clean and Care for Rattan Furniture

A customer asked us recently whether we could clean an outdoor rattan set – a seven-seater corner sofa, a sofa table, a large dining table with ten chairs, and a big cushion box. We could, and we did. We also advised him to buy a specific product for the granite tops on the tables, which need different treatment to the rattan itself.

Here’s the method we used, in case you’d rather do it yourself.

What rattan actually is

Rattan furniture is made from woven palm. With over 600 species of palm involved, “rattan” is a catch-all term rather than a single material. It’s most often used as outdoor patio furniture, though it works indoors too. It’s strong, durable and very light, and it turns up in furniture, rugs and baskets alike.

The important thing to know is that rattan does not like being wet. Almost every mistake people make cleaning it comes down to using too much water.

What you’ll need

• A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
• A soft, clean cloth or sponge
• A bucket or bowl
• Washing-up liquid
• Boiled linseed oil (for restoration only)
• An old toothbrush for the weave

The method

1. Vacuum the furniture with the brush attachment to lift loose dust and dirt out of the weave.
2. Remove any cushions and set them aside.
3. Mix around two litres of warm water with three tablespoons of washing-up liquid.
4. Wipe the furniture down with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in the solution and wrung out well. Use the toothbrush to get into the tight parts of the weave.
5. Keep it damp, not wet. Slight moisture cleans rattan perfectly well; over-wetting damages it.
6. Rinse with clean water – again, sparingly. Do not soak it.
7. Let it dry fully before use.

For a deeper clean or to lift stains

Apply the detergent and scrub with a little more water than you’d use for routine cleaning. As soon as you’re finished, dry the rattan quickly – a hair dryer on a hot setting, or a spell in direct sun. Once it’s completely dry you can brush on a coat of lacquer for extra protection. Repeat annually.

Restoring dry, cracked or split rattan

Apply boiled linseed oil with a brush. Keep going until the furniture stops absorbing it, then wipe off the excess with a soft cloth and let it dry and harden before using it again.

Use boiled linseed oil, not raw – raw linseed oil will not dry or harden properly, and you’ll be left with a tacky finish.

Looking after it

• Even though rattan is sold for outdoor use, don’t leave it permanently in the sun or exposed to the weather. It breaks down far more quickly that way. Cover it or bring it in over winter.
• Put rubber stoppers under the legs. The cushioning stops the material cracking and splitting where it takes the weight.

Rattan is only part of the job – fabric cushions, sofas and carpets need a different method, which is where our upholstery cleaning in London comes in. There are more habits worth picking up in our guide to keeping furniture and carpets clean.

Get in touch if you’d rather we took care of it – we handle one-off cleans as well as regular work.