by Viviana Victoriano

Created on: July 10, 2008

With a little care and attention, your wicker furniture can last and thrive for years. Here, I will share with you some tips so that you can make the most out of it.

CAN IT STILL BE SAVED?
Sunlight is the primary enemy of wicker. Once a wicker object has dried out completely, it will most likely fall apart and it is not worth wasting time and money trying to save it.

But if just a small portion of the object is brittle and dry, it's likely that it can be repaired

FIX ANY LOOSE STRANDS
To repair traditional wicker, apply a damp towel to any loose strands until they become flexible enough to reweave (about one hour). If necessary, you can use wood glue and clamps to fix them into place.

CLEAN IT
To remove dust, vacuum or use a soft bristled brush. When that is not enough and you have bigger problems such as built-up dust and dirt or mildew, scrub it with soap and water. Murphy Oil Soap is a great alternative. Wicker can also be hosed down after soaping. Make sure you dry it thoroughly with a clean lint-free cloth.

WHEN THERE IS OLD PAINT AND VARNISH
It is sometimes possible to strip old paint or varnish from wicker. The process is not as easy and successful as when you strip wood, but it is worth trying. Begin by brushing a thick coat of paint and varnish remover. Work it deeply in between the strands. You can spray it from an aerosol can in order to keep the surface wet. When the finish softens, use a small, stiff brush to remove it. You can use brass or natural bristles; just make sure you avoid wire brushes, which can damage the wicker strands.

Get a paintbrush and cut it, leaving about " of stiff bristles. Use it to scrub off the remaining loosened paint with mineral water.

When you are done you can hose down the object with a forceful stream of water to blast away the loosened paint. Make sure you dry it afterwards with a clean lint-free cloth.

PROTECT IT
After you have cleaned and dried your wicker object, lightly sand the surface and them protect it by rubbing on paste wax. Paste wax alone will give the piece a warm color. If you would like a richer tone, then add a bit of brown stain to the wax. The stain can also be brushed on and rubbed in with a rag.

TAKE CARE OF IT
You went through all this hard work, so it is a good idea to give some TLC to your refreshed wicker pieces:

* Always cover wicker furniture if you intend to leave it outside for more than two or three weeks.

* To prevent wicker from drying, moisten it occasionally with a damp cloth or sponge. A good coat of paint will also keep wicker from losing moisture.

* Pets (especially kitty cats) and accidental kicks can cause the strands on chair or table legs to unweave. Train pets (if that is a plausible option) and tell people (especially children) to be careful. If you don't want to stress you and the rest of the world out with this, place wicker furniture in a protected spot. Good quality wicker, though, can take a lot of everyday wear.

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