Product Care

► Indoor Furniture Product Care

How do you take care of rattan furniture?

The beauty of rattan and wicker furniture is that it’s very low maintenance.

With the occasional gentle cleaning and treatment, you can keep your rattan furniture looking brand new. If done properly, this doesn’t need to be a laborious and all too frequent task.

At Desser, our family have been working in the rattan industry for over four generations. We want you to be able to enjoy your furniture for many years too, this means that you can trust our advice; we’ve had a lot of time to think about it!

how to clean indoor rattan furniture

If your house is humid, then this can have an adverse effect on rattan and cane. Excess heat can cause rattan to split and become structurally weak. In some extreme cases, humidity can potentially promote mould between the grooves.

However, if it’s too cold, then rattan can also dry out.

Rattan and wicker furniture can become damaged due to prolonged exposure to the sun. It should be kept in a dry environment and not left under direct sunlight or prolonged periods. Cushions should be turned as often as possible so that any fading caused by direct sunlight is evenly spread.

If in a conservatory, then we recommend that you move it around occasionally so that different parts are exposed to the sun. Where possible, blinds should be used.

Gently apply a vacuum nozzle over the fibres of the rattan. It’s important that the vacuum isn’t too strong, however, or it could lift and damage the rattan.

Vacuuming is not a substitute for actual deep cleaning. It won’t remove any of the grime and dirt that builds up in rattan over time.

To treat split rattan, gently apply boiled linseed oil to the material and allow for it to cool down. You can even use a small paintbrush or cotton bud to massage the oil into the rattan fibres. This will help strengthen the rattan while acting as a barrier against any further damage.

In addition to oil treatment, it’s also possible to use a coloured wax stick to disguise any minor scratches.

Add some detergent to some hot water. Let the bubble develop and grab a soft cloth.

Once you’ve saturated the cloth, ring it gently and wash the rattan stain. The quicker you treat the stain the better.

Rattan absorbs liquid so make sure you pat everything dry once you’re done.

Soft furnishings will cushion the rattan and ensure that it remains in prime condition and prevent tearing or rips.

Not only this, but cosy and beautiful furnishings will help to make your rattan furniture extra comfortable. This is the perfect excuse to cuddle up and enjoy your new rattan suite.

Lacquer protects and reinforces the rattan. There are a variety of lacquers available on the market, each catering specifically to different shades and wood types.

If your rattan has been exposed to moisture, then it’s worth applying a coat of good, quality lacquer directly to the fibre (once everything has been dried off). Adjust your hairdryer to a mild setting and remove the moisture accordingly. Make sure not to overheat the rattan, as this could do more damage than good.

To remove trapped dust and grime from grooves, fill up a bucket with hot water and add some mild detergent and mix until you’ve created a lot of bubbles. Too much water will damage your rattan, so grab a cloth and gently apply just the bubbles.

If you really want to remove the dust from between the grooves, you can also use a toothbrush. Gently pat down the rattan to make sure all the moisture is absorbed. Repeat this process once or twice a fortnight.

We have a wonderful relationship with our supplier. Our rattan is sourced from Indonesia, abiding by strict fair-trade regulations.

The rattan plant is like bamboo. After it’s harvested, it’s then cut to 13 foot and left in the sun to dry out. Then the inner fibres are removed and used to make our furniture.

Our rattan specialists ensure that our furniture is always made to the very highest standards. Our rattan furniture is all handmade, so every piece is as unique as you are.

► Outdoor Rattan Product Care

How do you care for Outdoor rattan furniture?

A quick guide about how to care for and protect your outdoor rattan furniture.

You can keep your outdoor rattan furniture looking brand new with gentle washing and maintenance on a regular basis. If done correctly, this does not have to be a time-consuming and all-too-common process.

Our outdoor rattan is made from High-Density Polyethylene, it is environmentally friendly, weatherproof, colourfast, stain-resistant, UV-resistant,  withstands temperatures from -30° to 60°c, and is very easy to clean!

how to care for your outdoor rattan furniture

Our outdoor rattan is a synthetic rattan made from plastic and is then handwoven in strands to replicate natural rattan. The benefit of using synthetic materials is that it is completely weatherproof. We always recommend covering your furniture when not in use.

All our outdoor upholstery is water-resistant. It is showerproof with any water remaining on the surface. We advise cushions are stored away in a dry area when not in use.

Use a soft cloth to absorb most of the moisture then gently blow-dry or alternatively leave it to dry naturally in the sun.

Always gently clean your outdoor furniture after bringing it out of storage. We do not recommend using chemical detergents or solvents to clean. It is best to use lukewarm water and a gentle detergent to rinse it.

Make sure to use a soft cloth to absorb any excess moisture and either leave it to dry naturally in the sun or use a hairdryer.

Our outdoor furniture all comes with soft-touch and comfortable textured fabric. All cushions on our weatherproof rattan furniture are water-resistant and showerproof with any water remaining on the surface. 

We always advise that cushions are stored away in a dry area when not in use.

Add some detergent to hot water. Let the bubble develop and grab a soft cloth.

Once you’ve saturated the cloth, ring it gently and wash the rattan stain. The quicker you treat the stain the better.

Our range of weatherproof rattan furniture has been specially treated and is UV stabilised to prevent fading and stops the material from becoming brittle so you can enjoy your furniture for many years. 

This treatment also stops the material from rotting and growing excessive mould. 

Only synthetic rattan can withstand being outdoors, natural rattan cannot be left outdoors as being exposed to excessive moisture or excessive heat can make it rot, dry out and potentially split.

Our synthetic rattan on the other hand can be left outdoors, however, we always recommend using a cover when not in use and storing it away in adverse weather conditions.

We also have highly durable Lavastone tops for some of our tables. Tested and approved for outdoor use, the Lavastone tops are engineered as a strong and natural composite with lava dust as the main raw material. Lavastone does not crack, break or chip easily due to the nature of the material.

Whilst the tables may look heavy, the weight has been kept down; we say about half compared to a similar-sized concrete top, making it easier to move around, but it still maintains all the excellent structural features.

► Outdoor Sunbrella Fabric Product Care

How do you care for Outdoor fabric furniture?

A quick guide about how to care for and protect your outdoor fabric furniture.

You can keep your all-weather garden furniture looking brand new with gentle washing and maintenance on a regular basis. If done correctly, this does not have to be a time-consuming and all-too-common process.

Our outdoor fabric furniture is made from Sunbrella fabric, the best brand for outdoor fabric! It is perfect for use all year round and is the most durable outdoor furniture on the market. 

can i jetwash sunbrella furniture

Sunbrella fabric is water-resistant, UV resistant, mould proof, stain proof, and all the furniture in our Outdoor Fabric Furniture Collection is filled with quick-dry foam so you can get back to relaxing in up to 30 minutes after those brief rain showers!

The Sunbrella fabric is made from acrylic, which means it is less likely to absorb water. You will notice how liquids bead up and run off the fabric before it has a chance to permeate through to the fast-drying foam filling (so even if it does seep through the fabric, our furniture has been designed for maximum air circulation so it is ready to use at a moments notice.)

While acrylic is not an environmentally friendly material, Sunbrella has managed to reduce the fabric’s environmental impact over its entire lifespan. Water and energy waste are kept to a minimum during the manufacturing process.

Sunbrella fabrics, which are more durable than other fabrics, are less likely to be discarded after only a few years. Furthermore, they have their own recycling programme in which they bring used Sunbrella fabrics to manufacturers who convert them into other industrial materials.

Due to the hardwearing nature of Sunbrella fabric, it is super easy to clean and our furniture can be traditionally cleaned using warm soapy water, or it can be jet washed!

Check out this highly satisfying video of a Sunbrella chair being restored to it’s original glory.

Super easy to clean material and with the right care and maintenance it could last up to 10 years, if not longer!

Sunbrella fabric is water-resistant, UV resistant, mould proof, stain proof, and all the furniture in our outdoor fabric range is filled with quick-dry foam so you can get back to relaxing in up to 30 minutes after those brief rain showers!

Whilst our range of Sunbrella fabric furniture is made to withstand a lot of the elements, we always recommend covering your patio furniture, whether it is being left outdoors, or put away for storage, using a furniture cover will keep your garden suite looking new, every time you want to use it.

Using a cover means less time cleaning, and more time relaxing!