Do You Need to Cover Rattan Garden Furniture?

Yes, covering rattan garden furniture is worth doing, particularly over winter, though it is more important for some types than others. Synthetic rattan woven over an aluminium frame will survive uncovered British weather without failing, but covers keep it noticeably cleaner and slow the fading of the weave. Natural rattan and cane must be covered and ideally stored indoors, because they absorb moisture and will split. Cushions should always be brought inside or stored in a sealed box regardless of the frame material.

The nuance most guidance misses is that a poorly fitted cover can cause more damage than no cover at all. A sheet that traps moisture underneath creates exactly the damp, still conditions that encourage mould on cushions and corrosion on fixings. Ventilation matters as much as waterproofing.

Synthetic and Natural Rattan Behave Very Differently

Almost all garden rattan sold in the UK is synthetic: a polyethylene or PE weave over a powder coated aluminium or steel frame. This material is designed for outdoor use. It does not absorb water, it does not rot, and quality grades include UV stabilisers that resist sunlight. Left uncovered for a season, good synthetic rattan will be dirty but structurally unchanged.

Natural rattan is a climbing palm and behaves like any other plant fibre. It swells when wet, shrinks as it dries, and repeated cycles cause the strands to split and lift. Natural rattan and cane belong in conservatories, garden rooms and covered porches, not in an exposed garden. If you have inherited natural rattan outdoors, covering it is not really optional.

The frame underneath matters as well. Aluminium does not rust at all, which is why it dominates quality outdoor furniture. Steel frames are stronger but rely entirely on their coating, and once that coating is chipped, rust starts at that point. Covers protect coatings from hail, grit and physical knocks.

Our modern outdoor garden furniture UK sale range is built around aluminium framed synthetic weave for this reason, since it copes with a damp climate far better than the alternatives.

What Weather Actually Does to Rattan

Rain is the least of the problems for synthetic weave. Water runs off and the open structure drains quickly. What causes visible deterioration is a combination of ultraviolet light, organic debris and freezing.

Ultraviolet light gradually breaks down the polymer surface. Cheaper weave without adequate stabilisers can go chalky and brittle within a few seasons, while better grades hold colour far longer. In the UK, this happens slowly, but south facing patios see it first.

Organic debris does more damage than people expect. Leaves, pollen, bird droppings and tree sap settle into the weave, hold moisture against the strands and feed green algae. That greenish film on a garden sofa in March is almost always the result of autumn debris left in place.

Freezing affects trapped water rather than the weave itself. Water sitting in a frame tube or inside a joint expands when it freezes, and over several winters this stresses fixings and welds. Tipping furniture to drain, or storing it upside down, prevents this entirely.

When a Cover Is Genuinely Necessary

Cover your rattan furniture when it will be unused for more than a few weeks, particularly from late October through to March. Cover it if it sits beneath a tree, since sap and debris are the main causes of staining. Cover it if you live near the coast, where salt in the air accelerates wear on fixings and coatings. Cover it if the frame is steel rather than aluminium, and always cover or store natural rattan.

You can reasonably leave good quality synthetic rattan uncovered during active summer use, provided cushions come in. Constantly wrestling with a cover for furniture you use three times a week is not sustainable, and the weave will cope.

Choosing a Cover That Helps Rather Than Hurts

The right cover is waterproof on top and breathable or vented underneath. Look for these features.

Vents are essential. Mesh panels or grommets allow air movement so condensation can escape. A cover without vents becomes a plastic bag, and moisture that evaporates from damp paving will condense on the underside and sit on the furniture.

Fit should be snug but not tight. A cover that pools water in the middle will eventually leak through the seams and add considerable weight. Ideally the cover follows the shape of the furniture so water runs off. Placing a small object on the seat to create a high point is a simple fix for a flat topped set.

Fixings matter in wind. Drawcords, straps and buckles keep a cover in place. A cover that lifts and flaps in a gale will abrade the weave and often tears itself apart within a season.

Seams should be taped or welded rather than simply stitched, since stitch holes are the most common leak point.

Cushions Need a Different Approach

Cushions are the weak point of every rattan set. Even quick dry foam with water repellent fabric will absorb some moisture, and once a cushion is damp inside it takes a long time to dry in British conditions. Mould in the foam cannot be cleaned out properly.

Bring cushions indoors, into a shed or into a sealed storage box after use, not just over winter. If storage space is limited, a lidded box beside the seating makes this a five second job rather than a chore. Store cushions dry and stand them on edge rather than stacking them flat, so air can circulate.

Our outdoor garden storage UK sale range includes boxes and compact units that solve this properly, and they double as extra seating in summer.

Preparing Furniture Before Covering

Covering dirty furniture seals dirt against the weave for months. A short routine before the cover goes on makes a substantial difference.

Brush loose debris out of the weave with a soft brush, working into the gaps where leaves collect. Wash with warm water and a mild detergent, using a soft cloth rather than a stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly, because detergent residue attracts more dirt. Let everything dry completely, which may need a full dry day. Check the frame for chips in the powder coating and touch them up. Then fit the cover.

Avoid pressure washers on rattan. The force separates the weave from the frame and can cut through individual strands. Avoid bleach and solvent cleaners too, since both degrade the polymer surface and leave pale patches.

Storage Instead of Covering

Where space allows, storing furniture is better than covering it. A garage, shed or garden cabin removes UV, moisture and debris in one step. Stack chairs where the design allows, and lift furniture off a concrete floor onto battens so any residual damp does not sit against the feet.

Modular sets are easiest to store because sections separate. Large corner sofas are the hardest, which is often when a good cover becomes the practical answer rather than the second best one.

If you are replacing a set that has not survived well, it is worth choosing pieces that separate into smaller sections for exactly this reason. Our modern outdoor garden seating sets UK range includes modular arrangements that store far more easily than one fixed frame.

You can shop modern furniture for indoors and out at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can synthetic rattan furniture be left outside all winter?

Good quality synthetic rattan on an aluminium frame will survive a British winter uncovered, but it will get considerably dirtier and may fade faster. Covering it keeps it in better condition with much less spring cleaning.

Do covers cause mould on rattan furniture?

They can if they have no ventilation. Choose a cover with mesh vents and always make sure the furniture and cushions are completely dry before fitting it.

Should cushions be left under the cover?

No. Bring cushions indoors or store them in a sealed box. Even water repellent covers hold enough moisture to encourage mould in the foam over a winter.

How do I clean green algae off rattan furniture?

Brush loose debris away, then wash with warm water and mild detergent using a soft cloth. Rinse well and allow to dry fully. Avoid pressure washers and bleach, since both damage the weave.

Is natural rattan suitable for a garden?

Not really. Natural rattan absorbs moisture and splits with repeated wetting and drying, so it belongs in a conservatory, garden room or covered porch rather than an exposed patio.