Whether they are comfy old hand-me-downs or even dumpster-dive treasures, revitalized wicker or rattan chairs may look like new or better. From the cleaning into the mending to the color and cushions, provide your woven-reed chairs some special focus every now and then they will provide you years of fashionable comfort.
Cleaning Wicker
It’s alright to wipe down wicker with a solution of 1 tablespoon ammonia mixed with 1 gallon of warm water and a soft cloth for everyday cleaning, however once or twice a year provide your rattan chairs a comprehensive overhaul. Bring out the vacuum cleaner also, with the upholstery attachment, suction the overall surface and each nook and cranny. An old toothbrush can loosen caked dirt that is becoming lodged in the crevices. Simply take the chairs out to the lawn and use the garden hose to provide them a shower, then immediately dry them so that the reeds don’t become loose, having absorbent towels plus a few hours in the sun.
Mending Holes
With appropriate maintenance, wicker furniture can last for decades, but in the real world, injuries occur. If one of the chairs has a small damage, such as a broken or out-of-place reed, mend it. You can soften the reeds with a warm, damp cloth to bend and sprinkle them back into position. When there’s a broken reed or lost section, you can soak a replacement in water until it’s pliable enough to weave it in the chair’s design. Wood glue can secure the piece.
New Cushions
Replacing your wicker chairs’ seat or cushion fabric is most likely among the best methods to revitalize them. When you utilize the rattan set exterior, choose weather resistant fabric — it’s heavier than conventional material and treated to withstand fading. When the chairs are kept inside, use conventional, upholstery-grade fabric to update their appearance. You’re able to restuff the cushions for outdoor or indoor pieces if needed. When recovering an outdoor piece inspect the filler to be sure it isn’t moldy. If it’s seen better days, replace it. The old cushion cover can function as a template to produce new ones from fabric in a colour and style that rocks along with your decor, such as paisley or polka dots.
New Color
All materials fade overtime — inside or out — and washed-out color make furnishings look tired and old. A fresh coat of paint may bring them back to life and add a designer touch to the space they inhabit. Planning is the trick to a professional-looking paint job. Flaking paint, dust and grime needs to be eliminated prior to spray painting. Use any colour that suits your house and goes with the cushions, from crisp white to sage green to stunning black.