RATTAN FURNITURE

RATTAN FURNITURE

What is the difference between Wicker and Rattan?
Wicker is something that's woven, mostly from rattan (core or peel), but also from willow, straw, raffia, buri or bamboo.

Rattan is a palmwood that grows mostly in southeast Asia. Rattan is classified as hardwood. It is light weight, bends easily and lasts long. The finest grades of rattan grow in the Island of Borneo, Malaysia, the Philippines, Burma and Sumatra.

RATTAN FURNITURE CARE

• Furniture should be dust regularly with small brush or vacuum.
• Spills should be taken care of immediately before they harden or stain, by wiping with a sponge wrung from sudsy water. Wicker likes humidity but it is not outdoor furniture. Rain, direct sunlight, and dew are damaging. Dry indoor heat dries wicker causing it to crackle and creak under pressure. Wiping occasionally with a damp (not wet) sponge may help.
• Perhaps once a year or every other year, "raw" wicker may need complete washing. It is to be dusted with a vacuum brush. Scrubbed with warm water and detergent using sponge or soft brush; spray rinse with a garden hose outside, or put under the shower. It should be as fast as possible by putting in the hot sun, using hair drier, or directing a fan onto it to keep air circulating. A windy day is good to aid drying. On painted wicker we have to wash and rinse & would paint wood; wetting as above may crack and peel the paint.