Rattan is a vine-like climbing or trailing palm endemic to Asia's tropical jungles, particularly Malaysia and China. The Philippines, which has been one of the primary outlets, is a well-known leading provider. Palasan rattan is distinguished by its solid and sturdy stems ranging in diameter from one to two inches and vines ranging in length from 200 to 500 feet.

Rattan is harvested, chopped into 13-foot lengths, and the dry sheath is separated. Its stems are sun-dried and ready for seasoning. These long rattan poles are then bent, assessed according to diameter and quality, and supplied to furniture manufacturers.

The outside bark of rattan is used in canning, while the interior reed-like section is utilized to create wicker furniture. Wicker is a weaving technique, not a plant or mineral. Rattan was introduced to the Western world in the early nineteenth century and has since established itself as a common canning material. It is one of the most widely used natural materials in woodwork due to its strength and ease of handling (manipulability).

How to Take Care of Rattan

Cane and rattan have long been popular furniture materials. Rattan and cane furniture became popular in the United States in the nineteenth century as a lighter and less expensive alternative to the heavy furniture made at the time. It is typically utilized both indoors and outdoors.

Rattan is a vine-like plant native to Southeast Asia that can grow to be quite long. The vine's robust, flexible outer shell can be separated and woven into rattan fittings. Because the inner core, or cane, is denser, it is suitable for chair seats and other weight-bearing furniture.

These natural materials are highly durable and will endure for years with minimal care. Here's how to look after your rattan furniture:

Clean gently.

The furniture is dusted with a soft towel regularly. Furniture polish is not required. But, sparing use is required. To clean the wicker or cane, never use paint thinner or abrasive cream.

Furniture made of dry rattan.

A moist cloth dipped in a moderate furniture cleanser can be used, but take care not to saturate the furniture. If you are oversaturated, try to dry it outside in the sun if feasible.

In general, the natural plant material will revert to its original shape when moist, therefore avoid bending it while wet.

Treat the mildew as soon as possible.

If mildew or mold develops, clean the affected areas with a robust bleach solution. The furniture needs to be dried as quickly as possible out of doors.

Use a brush holder to vacuum the rattan furniture.

Vacuum the woven panels and furniture crevices using the vacuum brush attachment. Manual cleaning can be accomplished with a dry brush with a medium bristle.

When moving the rattan furniture, lift it.

To avoid splitting the strands of your rattan furniture, do not drag it around.

Guard the legs of your cane furniture.

Use felt padding or rubber stoppers to protect the legs of the cane and rattan.

Change the position of your rattan furniture.

Rattan fibers can fade in direct sunlight. It is a natural process that isn't always bad. However, if possible, rotate the furniture regularly to disperse the fading uniformly. Consider erecting curtains or awnings to limit direct sunlight exposure.

Moisturize

Natural plant fibers necessitate some wetness. Keep the patio away from areas of extreme heat, as this might cause the furniture to deform or dry out. Use a moisturizer to provide moisture to the air if you live in a dry region.

Rattan Furniture in Oil

If splitting has happened due to extreme dryness, the best thing to do is to prevent additional damage by treating the rattan or cane with tungsten or boiled linseed oil and increasing the humidity of the room.

Use Pillows to Prevent Sagging

A cane chair is solid and flexible enough to give a comfortable seating arrangement, but it only has a limited duration of usefulness. Most cane chairs are meant to be used with a cushion, making the seats more comfortable and distributes the sitter's weight evenly across the surface.

Which is superior: wood rattan or plastic?

Although natural rattan is dependable and durable, it cannot survive all weather conditions. Despite this disadvantage, having it natural has its advantages.

On the other hand, synthetic garden rattan sets are often composed of plastic. As a result, the best of the sets are impervious to all environmental conditions. The synthetic rattan sets are also solid and durable.

Takeaway

There are lots of options to satisfy all tastes when it comes to outdoor furnishings. Recently, though, no other alternative seems as popular as rattan furniture. Folks interested in bringing a touch of class to their backyard will discover outdoor rattan furniture cropping up on rooftops, in courtyards, and on patios across the country.