Rattan Care Guide
Synthetic rattan is about the lowest-maintenance garden furniture there is, but “low” isn't “none”. Ten minutes a few times a year, and the right winter routine, is the difference between a set that looks new at five years and one that looks tired at two. Shop rattan garden furniture →
In this guide
What rattan garden furniture is made of
The weave is polyethylene (PE) strand, extruded in the colour, UV-stabilised and hand-woven over a powder-coated aluminium frame. It doesn't absorb water, so it won't rot, swell or go mouldy the way natural cane does, and the aluminium underneath won't rust. Glass table tops are toughened safety glass. The cushions are a quick-dry foam in a polyester outdoor fabric with zipped, removable covers.
Cleaning the weave
- Brush first. A soft hand brush or the vacuum's upholstery tool lifts leaves, pollen and grit out of the weave before you wet it.
- Warm water and washing-up liquid. A bucket, a soft cloth or sponge, a wipe over, a rinse with the hose. That's the whole job for routine cleaning.
- Get into the weave with a soft brush (an old toothbrush for tight corners) where dirt has built up.
- Rinse and leave to dry in the air. Don't dry it with a heater.
- Green algae or black spots on a set that's been under a tree: a diluted household disinfectant or a specialist patio cleaner on the affected area, rinsed well. Test on the underside first.
- Glass tops come up with ordinary glass cleaner. Firepit burners: brush the lava rock and burner ring clear of leaves before lighting.
Cushions
The cushions are the only part that needs looking after. Outdoor fabric is shower-resistant, so a rain shower beads off; a night of rain soaks through. Stand wet cushions on edge to drain and they'll dry in a morning.
- Covers unzip and wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle; air dry, never tumble. Refit while very slightly damp and they pull back into shape.
- Spills: blot, then sponge with warm soapy water. Sun cream and bird droppings are the ones to deal with the same day.
- Storage: a cushion box in the matching weave takes a full set of cushions, keeps them dry between uses and doubles as a bench. It's the single best add-on for any set.
Over winter
The frame and weave can stay out all winter untouched; frost and snow do nothing to PE rattan or aluminium. The routine is:
- Clean the set at the end of the season so nothing sits on it for five months.
- Cushions indoors or in a cushion box, bone dry before they go in.
- Cover, if you use one, loosely. A cover pulled tight over a damp set traps moisture and can mark the weave; leave the bottom open so air moves. Uncovered is better than badly covered.
- Glass tops are best stored flat indoors if the set sits under a tree that drops branches; otherwise leave them.
- Firepit tables: disconnect and store the gas bottle upright in a ventilated outbuilding, fit the burner lid, and keep the burner dry.
Marks, scuffs and repairs
A snapped strand can be re-woven: warm the loose end with a hairdryer, tuck it back under the neighbouring strands and it will hold. Scuffs on aluminium legs can be touched in with car touch-up paint in a close colour. Chair feet have plastic glides; if one's lost, a felt or rubber furniture pad from any DIY shop stops the leg scratching paving. Cushions and covers for current ranges can usually be re-ordered — ask us with the product name.
What to avoid
- Pressure washers. They lift the weave and force water into the frame. Hose and brush only.
- Bleach, solvents, abrasive creams and anything with “cream cleaner” on the label. They dull the strand.
- Dragging sets across paving: it loosens the feet. Lift, or tilt onto two legs.
- Standing on the sofa seats or table to reach a hanging basket.
- Naked flames (chimineas, barbecues) close enough to warm the weave. PE rattan softens with heat.
Frequently asked questions
Will the colour fade?
The strand is coloured all the way through and UV-stabilised, so it weathers evenly rather than fading in patches. Grey and brown weaves look the same at five years as at one; cushions in a strong colour will soften slightly in full sun.
Can I leave it out in the rain?
The frame, yes. Tip the cushions on edge or bring them in if rain is forecast overnight.
How do I get rid of green algae?
Brush off, then a diluted patio cleaner or household disinfectant on a soft brush, rinsed well. It usually only happens on sets under trees or in a shaded corner; a loose cover over winter prevents most of it.
Do I need a cover?
No for the frame, yes for the cushions — which is what a cushion box is for. If you do cover the whole set, leave it loose at the bottom.
Can the cushion covers be replaced?
For most current ranges, yes. Contact us with the product name and the piece and we’ll quote.
