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A Buyer's Guide To Rattan Garden Furniture

Posted by Out & Out on 14th Feb 2022

A Buyer's Guide To Rattan Garden Furniture

A Buyer's Guide To Rattan Garden Furniture

The terms wicker and rattan furniture are often used interchangeable, with many believing that they are almost alike when the fact of the matter is, there are many differences between the two.

Rattan is an excellent type of garden furniture, as it is eco-friendly, lightweight, and easy to maintain.

We’ve put together this in-depth guide so you can learn everything you need to know when buying garden furniture including:

  • Rattan vs Wicker: Differences
  • Cleaning and maintenance tips
  • Buying advice

How Do Rattan and Wicker Differ?

Rattan is a close relative of the palm tree; it is a type of vine that grows in the jungles of the South Eastern region and is one of the strongest woods available. It’s exceptionally durable and the peel is commonly used to bind the furniture together.

Wicker, on the other hand, isn’t a material but rather a technique used to manufacture products out of materials like rattan, willow, bamboo, and straw. Such natural materials are made wet and are then woven to create wicker furniture.

Therefore, rattan is a product and wicker is the technique used to manufacture the furniture. Wicker garden furniture is a hugely popular choice as it’s easy to maintain, contemporary and robust, but if you want solid durability and versatility, rattan furniture is your ideal choice.

How to Maintain Rattan Furniture

You don’t need any special cleaning products to keep your rattan garden furniture spick and span. Simply get a hold of some dishwashing detergent, warm water, a soft cloth, toothbrush and some lacquer and you can maximise your garden furniture’s longevity.

Step 1) Add some dish detergent into a bowl of water and stir it up to create bubbles.

Step 2) Dip a soft cloth into the bubbles only and wipe the rattan. The moisture cleans the rattan without over wetting it, causing any potential damage.

Step 3) Use an old toothbrush to get into the cracks and crevices of the furniture pieces.

Step 4) Allow your furniture to dry and then apply a coat of lacquer with a paintbrush for added protection. Use boiled linseed oil to restore any cracks (If you do use linseed oil, make sure it is boiled and not raw as this will not dry).

Step 5) To remove any tough stains, apply the detergent and scrub with more water than stated above. If the rattan is quite wet, use a hairdryer to help it dry quicker or leave it out in the sun.

How to Choose the Best Rattan Furniture

All rattan isn’t the same, so here is a checklist to make sure you choose the absolute best pieces of furniture:

  1. Make sure it is UV stabilised, so it withstands the sun’s glare.
  2. Choose cushions that complement the furniture. Thin ones won’t last long outdoors and aren’t wonderfully comfortable. We advise water repellent seat cushions for every chair.
  3. PE or HDPE Rattan are the best types of rattan as they have an eco-friendly manufacturing process, they’re recyclable, weather-proof, and tougher than PU or PVC. Plus, they are even mould-resistant!
  4. As a result, PVC rattan tends to be cheaper than the others so bear this in mind when calculating your budget.
  5. Make sure you buy strong furniture frames. The great thing about rattan is that the aluminium frame will not rust outdoors, unlike steel.
  6. Before purchasing any furniture, it’s important to measure the garden space to ensure it fits properly.

Those are all the top tips and advice that you need to deck your garden out with high quality, stylish rattan furniture!

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