Wicker is a general term for woven furniture and accents, not a specific material. The term is used broadly for any item woven from synthetic to natural hard fibers such as rattan, bamboo, seagrass and more. The primary material used to create wicker is rattan “vine,” which is actually a name for more than 600 prolicic climbing plants. Some species can grow more than 300 feet in length—making rattan an abundant, sustainable resource. The production of wicker furniture often utilizes material from the entire plant: Peel, core, pole and all. When rattan’s outer skin or peel is removed and cut into thin strips, the resulting material is called cane. Rattan cane is used for weaving chair seats or wrapping joints on wicker furniture and is produced in many different gauges, ranging from carriage fine to the largest slab rattan. It has a natural glossy finish and does not accept stain or paint well, but is considered most beautiful in its natural state. Rattan cane packed in wet clay and allowed to season is known as Kubu or Kubu gray, due to its soft ashen color.

Kubu rattan is exceptionally strong and is prized by furniture-lovers for its distinctive dusky shade. Reed is the thin, flexible material inside the rattan core. Most often used for basket weaving, it may also function as an ornamental element in wicker furniture. best handheld vacuum cleaner nzUnlike cane, it has no natural finish and readily accepts paint or stain.best lightweight vacuum cleaner consumer reports Bamboo resembles rattan and is often mistaken for it. best way to clean parquet wood floorBut unlike rattan, which is solid, bamboo has a hollow core. best vacuum cleaner for home use in uae

Bamboo also has distinguishing ridges where the leaves were attached, while rattan’s leaf nodes are not as pronounced. Made popular in 19th century England, willow or twig furniture is still crafted today, although the supple branches are now most often used in basketry. best cleaner for faux suede couchWillow can be soaked for flexibility and woven or bent to form graceful, rounded shapes.cost to clean ducts in homes The term seagrass is used for a variety of flowering plants, such as water hyacinth, that grow in shallow coastal waters. Seagrasses are not related to seaweed but are more closely akin to the lily. Leaves are generally long and narrow, resembling terrestrial grasses. Banana leaf furniture is made from natural banana fibers that are dried, twisted and braided into a rope.

The rope is then woven over a frame to create furniture and basketry that is handsome and highly durable. With the warmer weather here, we cannot help but fantasize about summer barbeques, al fresco lunches and lounging on our decks and patios. But before we can enjoy the weather, the dreaded task of outdoor cleaning must be completed! I know that most of us hate cleaning (or have a penchant for not doing it), but ultimately love the feeling of a clean home – whether it’s an indoor or outdoor space. With a few basic cleaning recipes and tools you likely already have at home, cleaning the furniture can be a breeze (now that patio season is in full swing). Here is a quick how-to guide that will have your patio furniture looking spiffy in a jiffy. To start, you’ll need double-sided non-scratch scrub sponges and a scrub brush. The recipes involve vinegar, castile soap and water. These ingredients keep the yard safer for the “users” of your lawn (small insects, birds household pets), and it won’t discolor or rust your furniture like certain chemicals can.

Read more about using food scraps to help your garden thrive ½ cup of castile soap 1 cup of vinegar 2 gallons of warm water Mix these ingredients together in a large bucket and fill a clean spray bottle with the solution. Prior to applying the solution, use a scrub brush to loosen dirt or debris by gently brushing off anything easy to remove from the surface (it will mean less scrubbing later on). Remove any cushions - these will be cleaned separately. Spray the solution liberally onto each piece. Let the mixture sit on the furniture for a few moments (5-10 minutes). If the solution has dried, re-spray the area. For woven pieces such as resin wicker, use the scrub brush to 'brush out' the dirt. Rinse the sponge often so that dirt is not re-distributed back onto the furniture. Hose the pieces down until all suds are gone to avoid any lingering residue on the furniture. Then, let the sun do the rest and air-dry them beautifully for you. 1 tablespoon of castile soap

1 gallon of warm water For teak and wicker furniture, try a gentler method. Use a dry scrub brush to quickly dust off any loose debris. Then, dip the clean scrub brush into the bucket and gently scrub away the dirt and debris, being especially careful not to scrub too hard on the wicker (or else it can lose its shape). Hose the surface off when done to remove all bubbles and residue. Only apply oil to teak if the manufacturer's instructions call for it. Usually to maintain the amber glow it needs to be re-oiled about twice annually; if not, it becomes weathered and silvery. First, brush any debris off with the dry scrub brush. solution onto the cushions liberally and allow it to sit for 15This will allow the product to saturate the material and breakWipe soiled areas well with the non-scratch sponge to agitate and lift the dirt up. Use a cellulose sponge so that it can lift the dirt up without ruining the fabric of the cushions (a scouring padEnsure both sides have been cleaned this way.

have passed, hose down both sides of the piece and lay it flat to dryFlip the cushions over when the top is dry so that the bottom side can dry as well. If the covers cannot be washed down for whatever reason, take a shop-vac out and vacuum up debris to keep itWhen necessary, stains can be spot cleaned with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth. These can be cleaned twice a season. Remove slipcovers and place in the wash with regular laundry detergent on a regular cycle. slipcovers come out of the wash (i.e. do not place in the dryer), place them back onto the cushions to re-shape and stretch the covers out. This is an important step to ensure that the cushion covers maintain These pillows and cushions can be cleaned annually, usually at the beginning of the season. Most are machine washable (if they fit intoLaunder on a gentle cycle and tumble dry onToss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer to help beat out the excess moisture and promote quick drying.

If you notice mildew on the umbrella, act fast and clean it well toThe simple way to accomplish this is to brush off as much mildew as possible using a scrub brush and then spray the umbrella with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water onLeave it for 30 minutes to soak. Take a clean scrub brush and remove the remaining mildew from the umbrella byHose it down when done to remove the solution andRe-spray the area with the vinegar and water solution to protect against mildew build up and repeat this monthly. is a safe solution that can be sprayed on all outdoor furniture to keep If no mildew is present, clean the umbrella at the beginning of the season by brushing off any loose debris, spraying the interior and exterior well with the solution, soaking it for 15 minutes and thenLeave it open to dry for at least a (sunny) day. Read more about chemical-free household cleaners you can make at home For regular maintenance, nothing more than a quick spray from the garden