Outdoor furniture is made in several different types of materials but the one of the most popular kinds is wicker furniture. Wicker was popular in England and America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and it comes in ornate styles and very simple straight line styles. Most of what you find today are Victorian reproductions and most wicker furniture costs a bit, but with a little care it can last you for years.
Wicker furniture comes either painted in colors or in its natural shade with a varnish coating. Contrary to popular belief wicker furniture is very resilient and strong. It may need to be cleaned before taking it out in the spring because it can tend to attract mold from the year before. To clean mold mix one tablespoon bleach with one gallon of water and scrub with a toothbrush. Once the mold is removed be sure to rinse with a sponge and clear water and wipe with a dry cloth.
Not all wicker gets moldy so you will not have to clean it with bleach. If the furniture is just grimy after being stored for the winter just wash it down with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. It isn't good to use a hose and squirt wicker furniture as this could damage and warp the wood underneath the woven wicker. It is also important not to sit on wicker furniture until it is completely dry. Getting the canes wet will make them stretch and if you put weight on them they will bend ways you don't want them to bend. You can also take a vacuum cleaner and clean the wicker with the vacuum brush if you want.
Wicker furniture should be kept out of direct sunlight because too much heat can dry out the wicker canes and they can become brittle. It also shouldn't be left outside without having a roof over top. Deluges of rain can damage the wood and warp the furniture. Wicker furniture should be stored indoors during the winter because excess moisture and extream cold with wind can also do damage. It is best to cover wicker with a tarp when storing for the winter to keep dirt out until you can bring it back out in the spring. Never store wicker near a heat source like a furnace. The heat will dry the wicker out.
Some wicker furniture is painted and this paint needs to be refreshed periodically. You can refresh painted wicker by cleaning it off well and letting it dry. Then give it a few coats of spray paint in either the original color of you can change it up. Try to use a non-glossy finish on wicker and be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies. Make sure it is totally dry before sitting on it.
Do not try to strip wicker of any paint that is on it. This will dry it out and cause the canes to crack and break. It is just better to paint over it. It will look good as new with only a few imperfections. If you strip it you could have many imperfections that you may not be able to live with.
Even the natural wicker needs a little maintenance. Natural wicker should have varnish, shellac, or lacquer on it to protect it from the elements. This should be replenished on a regular basis as well. Use a spray finish and let it dry several days before sitting on the wicker furniture. If you desire you can apply a thin coat of liquid furniture wax to wicker furniture. This will give it a glossy finish and it will repel water for awhile.
If you see the wicker starting to unravel on the legs be sure to take it somewhere that specializes in wicker. This isn't something you can fix yourself. With a little care, maintenance, and prevention you can have your wicker furniture for many years. It can last for 20 years, or 50 years or much more if it is maintained correctly.
The decks and porches of your home are often forgotten or neglected. We forget what these spaces are for. We seem to lose the concept of unwinding and an outdoor area with new outdoor furniture can change all that. We set up grills and hold BBQ's but often forget that comfortable outdoor furniture can be for more than just entertaining.
We do not need to wait for a birthday or a special occasion to enjoy the outdoors. Sitting on the porch on new outdoor furniture can provide a great way to sit down with the neighbors and get caught up with what is going on with each other.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar