Outdoor Wicker Patio Furniture – Relax and Enjoy the Outdoors
When you make an investment in patio furniture, you want to make sure that your purchase will give your family lasting enjoyment. Fortunately, with wicker patio furniture sets, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your pieces will remain fresh and in good repair for years of use.
Unlike other types of furniture, wicker has some special requirements. Without proper care, wicker can dry out, warp or crack. Simply follow these five tips for lasting beauty from your wicker furniture:
Choose High Quality Wicker Furniture: Selecting high quality furniture at the very beginning is really the single most important element in ensuring you will have lasting outdoor furniture. High quality wicker pieces will have an aluminum frame and a very tightly woven weave that doesn’t allow the frame to show through.
Get Rid of Dirt and Grime: Eliminate dirt and grime before it can accumulate on your furniture. Simply wipe down your furniture from time to time with a damp cloth and soap. Avoid getting the wicker too wet as wet wicker has a tendency to stretch and warp. In addition, you should clean your wicker thoroughly at least annually year. You can also use a water hose for this purpose, unless the furniture is antique or painted and might get damaged from the powerful water pressure.
Prevent Warping and Dryness: Wicker patio furniture sets should be kept in shady areas. Natural wicker fibers are prone to drying out in direct sunlight and becoming brittle. You should also keep your furniture covered and protected from the rain. In the event your wicker patio pieces do get wet, make sure no weight is put on them and they are not used until completely dry. Wet wicker can easily be damaged permanently.
Replenish Moisture: At the end of the season apply a protective coat of oil to your wicker furniture. This will help your furniture to replenish its moisture. Your furniture should be thoroughly dried before the oil is applied. Carefully rub boiled linseed oil into the fibers and wipe off the excess oil with paper towels. Afterward, the wicker should look shiny. If not, keep applying oil to the wicker until it will not absorb anymore. A note of caution, linseed oil is flammable so be careful when getting rid of the used paper towels. You should allow your furniture to dry for at least 24 hours before you use it again.
Provide Protection during the Off-Season: Wicker does not hold up well under the elements so when it turns cold you will need to move your furniture inside to a dry location. If you don’t have room to store the furniture during the winter, supply a quality cover for your furniture. Wicker patio furniture sets will become damaged if left outside for extended periods during inclement weather.
With the right care, wicker can be an inviting addition to any patio. The vast number of styles and colors of wicker available today mean that it can complement almost any dcor. Wicker furniture today comes in contemporary pieces as well as more traditional styling. By selecting the right pieces and giving them the proper care, you can have beautiful furniture that will bring you years of outdoor entertaining enjoyment with family and friends.
It can be difficult to decide which material is right for your outside wicker furniture. At outdoor wicker patio furniture, we take the guesswork out of picture. Visit us today to compare the many options on the market today.
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