DIY - Furniture

World of wicker

Wicker furniture is a versatile and attractive addition to a modern home, whether it is part of a garden or conservatory suite or an antique heirloom.

Rather then throwing out old or damaged wicker Furniture Medic have some excellent advice to avoid damage and prolong its longevity. For whilst the furniture may appear sturdy and long-lasting, it is not as resilient as wood and can in fact be very delicate, with modern wicker having a tendency to deteriorate fairly quickly if not looked after properly.

Hannah Banfield, Head of Marketing for Furniture Medic, has these top tips for wicker lovers

Before you buy
Ensure that the piece you are buying is in good condition. Check the furniture joints ensuring that everything matches and fits together properly. Finally, make sure that there are not any loose pieces in the weaving of the wicker, as this could lead to problems.

Regular TLC
To give your furniture long term protection, Hannah suggests applying a clear sealant or lacquer to protect against weather if the furniture is going outside and insect damage – for both the inside and out.

Keep it out of sunshine
Any furniture that gets wet or damp must be dried as soon as possible to prevent cracks appearing.

Regularly check your wicker furniture for signs of sagging, or any loose bits. If it does start to fall apart make sure you call the experts to have it fixed as quickly as possible as this will protect it for any future problems

Keep it clean
Dust regularly using a vacuum attachment or use a microfibre cloth duster. To remove dirt and grime from wicker furniture wash with a solution of two tablespoons of ammonia in eight pints of water and use sparingly so as not to soak the wicker. Use a toothbrush in hard to reach places. Rinse well. Air dry. To prevent yellowing, wash wicker furniture with a warm salt water solution.

Simple repair solutions
Sand any sharp edges that appear very carefully with fine sandpaper. Cracks are common in older pieces of wicker, so to protect and prevent this from happening, apply linseed oil to completely cover the cracks and let it absorb for approx 24 hours before wiping off any excess that has not absorbed properly. If the weave of your wicker has shifted over time, moisten the section that needs adjusting and move back into place.

Whilst these are just some guidelines on how you can prolong the life of your wicker furniture if there are more serious repairs that need to be done, Hannah highlights the importance of taking your furniture to a specialist. Furniture Medic is the UK’s leading furniture specialists and will come to the rescue of any item of furniture, new or old and very often make invisible repairs, thus providing a cost effective alternative to replacement.

To find a Furniture Medic near you call 0800 021 3071 or log onto www.furnituremedic.co.uk