5 Simple Ways to Restore Your Old Wicker Cane Furniture

How good it feels to own something that has been passed down from generations and is antique in every sense? Sounds crazy, but wicker furniture is no less antique than paintings and ornaments.

However, as we know antique furniture might be bit damaged as well. It might require some repairing and reviving to get along better. Here are some simple ways to restore old conservatory furniture made from cane:

Cane furniture needs cleaning and dusting every day. It cannot bear any extreme climate and always requires a constant watch for fungus and mildews. By daily maintenance, any cane can last really for long time. It is a good idea to keep it out of direct sunlight, use cushions on the wicker weaves and if you have pets around, just use extra protective gear on your furniture.

Restoration methods

First using a medium intensity blower, blow off the dust. Else, vacuum in the dust. Use dry cloth to wipe of any leftover dirt and dust.

Take a damp cloth soaked in mild detergent. Add a teaspoon of bleach for one liter of the cleaning solution. The cloth should not be soaking wet. This cleaning solution will remove stains and the bleach will kill mildew or fungus that might have been growing on the cane.

If the strands are broken, the only way to get them restored is to weave them. It might sound a terrible idea, but don't worry. You can do it yourself or else give it to a furniture store where they will restore it completely.

However, to do it by yourself buy strands, which match the furniture color, then soak them in warm water for a maximum of 20 minutes to make them flexible for weaving. Pat dry and begin weaving. Let it dry in a shady place for few days before you use it.

If the strands are sagging, apply warm and damp cloth to the underside of the furniture and let them dry on their own. After complete drying (2 days), the strands will tighten and be good as new.

For chipped off and split cane portions, use wood glue and patch of thin cane. Glue them and level off with sand paper. You can use sawdust fillers or any filler for larger gaps and then patch them over.

Final step in restoration would be to polish. Use of excessive polish can fade the furniture. To darken the wicker, use good quality stains. Let it dry completely before use. This might take 4 to 5 days. Using it before that time would lead to the wicker cracking and splitting under human weight. The drying process gives the wicker and cane the strength.

These are the simple ways to revive your wicker furniture.

For more information on cane furniture, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the rattan furniture!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Preston_Romeo