To keep rattan dining chairs looking new for years, dust them weekly with a soft brush, wipe them occasionally with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, dry them thoroughly, and keep them out of harsh direct sunlight and away from radiators. Rattan is a natural material that dislikes extremes, so steady conditions and gentle cleaning matter far more than any special product. A little attention every week prevents most of the problems people run into, such as brittleness, fraying or mould.<\/p>\n
Rattan chairs bring texture and a relaxed, natural feel to a dining room. They are also lighter than most timber chairs and surprisingly strong. With the right routine, they age gracefully, taking on a warm, honey coloured tone over time. Here is how to look after them properly.<\/p>\n
Before you clean anything, check whether your chair is natural rattan or a synthetic alternative. The care is quite different.<\/p>\n
Natural rattan comes from a climbing palm. The stems are steamed and bent into shape for frames, while the outer skin, or cane, is often used for weaving. It is flexible, strong and lightweight, but it reacts to moisture and heat. Natural rattan is designed for indoor use.<\/p>\n
Synthetic rattan, sometimes called PE rattan or resin weave, is a plastic material woven to look like the natural version. It is used mainly for outdoor furniture because it resists rain and sunlight. It can be cleaned more freely with water and is far less sensitive than natural rattan. If you have outdoor chairs, such as those in our modern garden dining sets UK<\/a>, they are likely to be synthetic and need a different routine.<\/p>\n If you are unsure, look at the ends of the strands. Natural rattan has a fibrous, slightly irregular texture. Synthetic weave looks more uniform and feels smoother.<\/p>\n Dust settles into the gaps of the weave and, over time, can dull the finish and make the chair look tired. A quick weekly clean stops it building up.<\/p>\n This takes a couple of minutes per chair and makes a noticeable difference to how the rattan looks over the years.<\/p>\n Every month or two, or after a spill, give the chairs a gentle wash.<\/p>\n The important thing is not to soak natural rattan. Too much water can soften the fibres, cause swelling and lead to warping or mould. Always let the chair dry completely before anyone sits on it, as damp rattan can stretch and sag under weight.<\/p>\n Blot spills immediately with a dry cloth. For sticky residue, use the mild soap method above. Avoid harsh cleaners, bleach or ammonia, which can strip the natural finish and discolour the fibres.<\/p>\n Mould can appear if rattan is stored in a damp room or has been left wet. Take the chair outside or into a well ventilated space, brush off what you can, then wipe with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dry it thoroughly in a warm, airy room, but not directly beside a heater.<\/p>\n Rattan that is kept in a very dry, warm environment can become brittle and start to crack. A light wipe with a barely damp cloth now and then helps. Some people apply a thin coat of furniture wax or a little boiled linseed oil once a year to nourish the surface. Test any product on a hidden area first.<\/p>\n Woven seats can stretch slightly with regular use. For cane seats, a common approach is to dampen the underside lightly and leave it to dry naturally, which can help the fibres tighten again. Only try this on natural cane, and do it sparingly.<\/p>\n If a strand comes loose, glue it back in place with a small amount of wood glue and hold it with a clip or masking tape until it sets. Trim any frayed ends carefully with sharp scissors. For larger breaks, a furniture restorer who works with cane can repair the weave.<\/p>\n Placement has a big effect on how long rattan lasts.<\/p>\n Seat pads make rattan chairs more comfortable and protect the woven seat from everyday wear. Choose pads with ties so they stay in place, and pick a washable cover in a fabric that suits your scheme. Remove and wash the covers regularly, and let the rattan beneath air out from time to time so moisture does not collect under the pad.<\/p>\n Rattan works in more settings than people often expect. It suits coastal, Scandi, bohemian and modern country interiors, and it can soften a very contemporary room.<\/p>\n Pair rattan chairs with a timber table for a warm, natural look. Our modern wooden dining tables UK<\/a> in light oak or mango tones sit well alongside natural rattan. For contrast, try rattan with a white marble or glass top, which keeps the look fresh. A bench on one side of the table can balance the texture; our dining benches UK sale<\/a> include plain upholstered and timber designs that let the rattan chairs stand out.<\/p>\n Keep other textures simple. Linen table runners, stoneware and green plants suit rattan without overcrowding it.<\/p>\n Rattan is lighter than most dining chairs, which makes it easy for children to pull out and push back. That is a real advantage, but it also means rattan chairs can be tipped more easily if someone leans back on two legs. Encourage everyone to keep all four legs on the floor, particularly on smooth surfaces.<\/p>\n Sticky fingers and crumbs are the most common challenge. A quick brush after meals, rather than waiting for the weekly clean, stops food working its way into the weave. Removable seat pads with washable covers are especially useful in family homes because they take most of the everyday mess.<\/p>\n Pets can also be hard on rattan. Cats may see the woven texture as a scratching surface, and dogs can chew protruding ends. If this is a concern, a scratching post nearby and a quick check for loose strands help protect the chairs before small problems become larger repairs.<\/p>\n A quick check at the change of seasons helps catch small issues before they grow.<\/p>\n Rattan rewards a small amount of care with years of good looks and a finish that improves with age. Dust it regularly, clean it gently, keep it away from extremes and fix small issues early.<\/p>\n At Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, we offer natural and woven chairs alongside our full range of modern dining chairs UK<\/a>, so you can find a style that suits your home and your routine.<\/p>\n Yes, but only a small amount. Use a barely damp cloth with mild soap and dry the chair thoroughly afterwards. Never soak natural rattan.<\/p>\n Keep it away from direct heat and strong sunlight, and wipe it occasionally with a slightly damp cloth to prevent the fibres drying out.<\/p>\n Natural rattan is best kept indoors. For gardens and patios, synthetic rattan is designed to cope with rain and sunlight.<\/p>\n Brush off loose mould outdoors, wipe with a mix of white vinegar and water, then dry the chair thoroughly in a warm, well ventilated room.<\/p>\n Most rattan chairs already have a protective finish. If yours looks dull, a light coat of furniture wax is usually enough. Test any product on a hidden area first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rattan dining chairs bring natural texture and a relaxed feel to a dining room, and with a simple routine they can look good for many years. The secret is gentle, regular care rather than special products. In this guide we explain how to tell natural…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":70365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3334],"tags":[4255,902,4778],"class_list":["post-70364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-guide-for-your-home","tag-cleaning-tips","tag-furniture-care","tag-rattan-dining-chairs"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70364"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73580,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70364\/revisions\/73580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Weekly Care: Dusting<\/h3>\n
\n
Occasional Deeper Cleaning<\/h3>\n
\n
Dealing With Common Problems<\/h3>\n
Food and drink spills<\/h3>\n
Mould or mildew<\/h3>\n
Dryness and brittleness<\/h3>\n
Sagging seats<\/h3>\n
Loose or broken strands<\/h3>\n
Where to Place Rattan Chairs<\/h3>\n
\n
Cushions and Seat Pads<\/h3>\n
Styling Rattan in a Dining Room<\/h3>\n
Rattan Chairs in Family Homes<\/h3>\n
Seasonal Checks<\/h3>\n
\n
A Material Worth Looking After<\/h3>\n
Rattan Care FAQs<\/h3>\n
Can I use water to clean rattan dining chairs?<\/h3>\n
How do I stop rattan from cracking?<\/h3>\n
Can natural rattan chairs be used outdoors?<\/h3>\n
How do I remove mould from rattan?<\/h3>\n
Should I varnish rattan chairs?<\/h3>\n