Wicker furniture adds beauty to any outdoor living space while providing comfortable seating. These days you can find it in a variety of styles and colors. Some is made out of genuine wicker and rattan, while others are made out of synthetic materials. If you own genuine wicker…you need to take care of it properly so that it will last for years.

Furniture should be cleaned at least twice a year and more frequently if it’s heavily used and/or getting dirty. If you live in a colder climate it should be stored away and protected during the winter season from the frigid cold and moisture. If you have no place to store it (inside) then cover it with outdoor, weather-resistant furniture covers or tarps.

Here’s how I like to clean wicker furniture.

Lightly spray it down with a garden hose. Fill up a bucket with water. You can add a mild liquid cleanser or a little liquid dishwashing soap like Dawn. Use a clean sponge and wipe down the furniture…top to bottom, side to side, and make sure you get underneath the seats. If you have stubborn mold/mildew use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or an old toothbrush to loosen it up and wipe clean.

As you clean each item you want to rinse the item with a garden hose before moving onto the next one. You never want soap or cleaning solution drying on the materials. Take a clean cotton towel and towel dry. If it’s a hot and humid day…air dry in the sunshine.

Cushions, Pads, and Pillows

I toss them into my washing machine 1 or 2 at a time (depending on color and size) and wash on the delicate cycle with a mild detergent. Once done…take them out and hang them up to dry. Don’t place them into your dryer which will ruin them! If they have removeable covers, remove the covers and wash them the same way and air dry. Spray the inside foam and padding with a Lysol to kill any bacteria, mold, and mildew. Let dry thoroughly before placing the covers back on.

We recommend that you protect your outdoor cushions, pads, and pillows with a spray fabric protector. This will help to keep the colors bright (not sun-faded), and help to prevent moisture from causing mold and mildew. There are several companies who make outdoor fabric protectants…read the instructions and follow them closely for the best results. Some require you to spray your items every 3 months while others 1-2 times a year.

Using a Steam Cleaner

If your furniture has a lot of stubborn stains, mold, dirt, and mildew you can use a hand-held steam cleaner set on the lowest setting to help get it off. You should ONLY resort to this method if it didn’t come off with the gentle cleaning method listed above. Some steam cleaners are too powerful and may cause damage. Test it on an area underneath a table or seat before proceeding onto the entire piece.

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