Care of Cane Rocking Chairs

Use It Carefully

• Cane rocking chairs are comfortable and sturdy, but you have to respect the construction of the woven seat. When you're sitting on it, distribute your weight evenly. Avoid pulling your feet onto the seat, kneeling on it or standing on it. Protect the seat with a small cushion. Don't let young children sit on the chair.

Tightening the Seat

• You can tighten the weave of your chair's seat by spraying water on it and letting it dry. This makes the cane retract. Do this once a week. Make sure the seat is completely dry before you sit on it, as this can cause the cane to stretch. If you find that the seat has become saggy, or you have neglected to do the weekly spraying, turn the chair over, and place a warm, wet cloth on the bottom of the seat. Let the cloth dry on the chair overnight. Turn the chair upright in the morning, and don't let anyone sit on it for at least 48 hours.

Controlling the Environment

• Avoid placing your chair in an area that is either extremely hot or extremely dry. If your chair does dry out and become brittle, apply a small amount of lemon or mineral oil to the bottom of the woven seat. Also avoid putting your chair in a room that is very humid, because mold and mildew may develop on the seat. If your chair is in a sunny room, move it periodically to keep the sun from hitting the same spot and fading the seat. If you're storing your chair, keep it in a relatively open space so that air can circulate around it.

Cleaning Your Chair

• Clean the seat of your cane rocking chair with a wood soap diluted in water. Use just a little water, and make sure the chair is completely dry before you sit on it. Add a small amount of bleach to the wood-soap solution to clean mold or mildew from the seat. Dust the frame of the chair regularly, and use a wood polish.