It’s no surprise that rattan graden furniture has become an increasingly popular choice when it comes to furnishing your outside space. Rattan garden furniture is lightweight yet durable and the distinctive woven texture can provide a chic addition to any home. But after regular use of lazy lounging and evening BBQs, wear and tear can occur.

However, this doesn’t mark the end for your on-trend staple. With a little bit of effort you can revive your rattan when it’s looking tired, though that won’t happen for a few years at least.

So, if you find that your rattan furniture needs a summer spruce up, follow our easy guide. The results of simple maintenance and repair can be effective in returning it to all garden gracing glory.

Repairing rattan

To begin, gather your materials and clear a suitable area, ideally outside. This is a perfect activity to tackle on a sunny afternoon (UK weather permitting!). The joy of this project is that it involves many household items that, once gathered, can reinvigorate your rattan furniture for years to come.

What you’ll need:

  •         ­Replacement rattan strands or wicker
  •         Wood glue
  •         A large bowl
  •         Some strong scissors
  •         A clean cloth and warm water
  •         Varnish (optional)

Cleaning first

For best results, the rattan must be thoroughly washed. Use warm water and a clean cloth to gently wipe away all the gathered dirt.

This leads to a more professional finish when/if varnished. Once spotless, begin to evaluate the areas of wear and tear.

Remove the damaged rattan 

If a bit of wear is the extent of the damage on your garden rattan furniture, then you can move onto the final step. However, if you’re noticing some strands of wicker are too mangled to be rewoven, then they will need replacing.

For this next part, you will need to begin soaking some strands of your replacement wicker in lukewarm water for 30 minutes. This is to allow strands to soften and become more flexible. Proceed by selectively pruning off the unsalvageable strands of wicker – use caution and create clean cuts with strong scissors.

Weave and restore

The soaked strands of wicker should be suitably pliant and allow for weaving. Gently weave them into place, replacing the discarded, tattered strands, and lightly glue into place.

The weaving process should hold the replacement strand for the most part, while the glue ensures a neat and secure connection. Finally, apply a coat of varnish to your rattan. This layer of protective varnish further refreshes the look of your resorted furniture and prevents future damage from the elements. 

Can you repair Outdoor Rattan furniture?

Whether kept in a sunroom, conservatory or used as outdoor garden furniture, rattan stored outside can be repaired in much the same way. Observe the areas that need mending on your newly cleaned furniture, damage most often starts in the legs or arms of tables and chairs where unravelling can occur. Another problem area to check is the underside and backs of rattan chairs.

Rattan chairs can be the victim of scuffing resulting in tattered patches. Identify the strands of wicker that can simply be glued down or weaved back into place. Tuck them into place and allow the glue to dry fully before continuing. Ensure more delicate areas such as the legs of tables or chairs are secured for the longevity of your restoration.

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