Guest Blogger #936, Entry #2333, April 24, 2013
Wicker furniture is one of the more unique pieces of furniture you can buy, it can add a unique look to your home decor both inside and outside in the garden. Regardless of its location you would like your wicker to stay in good condition so you can continue to use it as you intended. However various factors can lead to wicker baskets becoming damaged over time.
Image via: Bodie and Fou
Read on to learn about a few of the ways you can quickly and easily keep your wicker in good condition from the moment you buy it and hopefully for many years to come.
Handle With Care
It may initially sound obvious, but handling your Wicker Baskets with care is very important. Where possible you should handle wicker with clean hands to avoid damaging it with the skin oils or grease found on your hands. If not you might find your wicker starts to stain or mold in areas. You can wear a pair of latex gloves when handling your wicker to ensure it remains in good condition.
Sunlight
It’s also important to remember where possible to keep your baskets away from direct sunlight, also try to avoid placing wicker near any heat sources such as fires or radiators. If the wicker is exposed to the light and heat sources for too long it may dry out and fade the wicker causing it to become very brittle. Due to wicker being very light however you may be able to move your wicker baskets around your home to ensure they are protected.
Cleaning Wicker
If your wicker is already showing signs of damage, there may still be time to restore it back to its former glory. If your wicker starts to show signs of mold you can mix together 1 part bleach to 2-3 parts water and use an old scrubbing brush or toothbrush to help remove the mold. This will allow you to clean in out any dirt that may have accumulated over time. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the wicker to air dry thoroughly.
Image via: Boho Cafe
Further Protection
Once you have cleaned up your basket or perhaps you may just want to ensure a new basket stays in good condition you can use a few methods to ensure your wicker is further protected.
If you’re using the basket for food storage you can line your basket with a plastic covering or textile linen which should help to protect your wicker from any direct contact with oils on the food that might stain the wicker.
There are also paints available that can be applied to wicker to both protect and re-colour your wicker if you are looking for a change. You need to ensure you completely cover the wicker when painting including the underside of the furniture to ensure it’s fully protected. You may need to reapply the paint once every three years or so to ensure it remains protected. If your wicker furniture ideally you should store them inside the house or garage when not in use as.
Polyurethane varnishes are available if you want to further protect the paint. It can be bought in spray cans which are generally the best way to apply a varnish to the wicker to ensure best overall coverage. It is recommended that you allow 2-4 hours to allow it to fully dry. After that period you can apply another coat till you achieve the desired result. It is recommended that you wait a minimum of 6 hours for the varnish to fully dry before use.
That completes this quick rundown of just some of the methods you can use to help protect your wicker from any further damage.
Luke Kingston works for East 2 Eden, online home and cookwear retailer based in the UK. Please visit www.east2eden.co.uk to view their range of products and special offers
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