How to Care for Wicker Patio Furniture

Every couple of weeks, do routine maintenance to keep dust and other dirt from accumulating on your wicker pieces. Vacuum the furnishings, dust them with a cloth and/or wipe them with a rag slightly dampened with soapy water (dishwashing detergent is fine). If dirt gets stuck in the cracks, carefully remove it with something sharp such as a toothpick or toothbrush.

If regular maintenance isn't enough, hose down your wicker furniture. (Only do this with resin, plastic or natural materials such as rattan--watering will ruin paper fiber. Just use a damp rag and gently wipe paper fiber.) Rinse off the furniture, and apply soapy water (use dishwashing detergent). Rinse again with clean water and dry it out of the sun for a day or two. Don't sit or put things on the wet furniture because the woven material can stretch.

Use boiled linseed oil to repair cracks in your finish. Linseed oil comes raw or boiled, so be sure to purchase the boiled kind. Lightly apply the oil with a paintbrush and let it dry. Keep applying coats until the finish is shiny; that means it has enough oil and won't absorb anymore. Wipe clean and let your wicker piece dry for a day out of the sun.

Repaint or refinish your wicker furniture when necessary. Start by using a fine-grained sandpaper to lightly sand off the old, flaky paint or lacquer. If you're using paint, apply an oil-based wood primer at least twice and then an oil-based exterior house paint, again twice. Skip the primer and use lacquer for a clear finish. After the paint or lacquer is completely dry, use a soft rag to apply a very light coat of furniture wax to preserve the finish. Liquid wax is preferable.