How to Maintain Rattan Garden Furniture

Updated: 26/07/25

How To Clean Rattan-Style Garden Furniture

It's really easy to clean your rattan-style garden furniture and keep it looking fabulous season after season. The popularity of this synthetic weave furniture is down to its good looks, comfort and styling for every kind of garden or outdoor space. As you'd imagine, it's really hard-wearing, particularly if you follow our simple steps for cleaning and maintenance.

Cover & Clean Your Garden Furniture

Cleaning your rattan garden furniture a couple of times a year will keep it looking immaculate. Dust and debris collect in the weave while food and drink stains spoil its general appearance. Even if you store your garden furniture in a shed or under covers, mildew and mould will gather. A simple cleaning routine, however, will soon get it back in great condition.

How To Remove Stains

First, use a stiff brush to remove loose bits of dirt and food from the weave. Don't be too aggressive otherwise, you'll damage the surface. (Synthetic rattan furniture is robust and hard-wearing but it still needs some care.) Next, wipe your furniture with warm soapy water to get rid of any stains. You could use a hose but not a pressure washer as the force of water might harm your furniture.

Finally, rinse the soap away, remove any excess water, then leave the furniture to dry naturally. To remove the soap use a hose on a low setting or a bucket of water. Ceramic and glass top tables may need an extra polish with a soft cloth.

Cleaning Outdoor Cushion Covers

Your cushion covers will probably repel most dirt but a simple wipe over with a damp cloth should remove stubborn stains. Otherwise, check the instructions to see whether dry cleaning or machine washing is advised. Then use a stain guard on your cushion covers to help keep them clean.

However, as a general rule, at JB Furniture we advise against machine washing cushion covers. This is because they have a water-repellent coating that will be damaged in the wash. Garden cushion covers should be hand-washed only. If you have a stubborn stain, you can use a dry brush to loosen the stain or dirt.

Which Tools To Use

Assemble your equipment before you start. This is what you'll need:

1) Vacuum cleaner with various fittings

2) Stiff brush, sponge and drying cloths

3) Garden hose (low water pressure)

4) Bowl of warm soapy water (no bleach and nothing abrasive)

Repairing Rattan Furniture

Our rattan-style furniture is long-lasting, so repairs are rarely necessary. However, in the rare case that you do need to repair your rattan weave, we do sometimes have spare pieces of rattan weave that can be easily woven back in and glued down.

For repairs, you could use wood glue or clear epoxy glue to help reattach the loose strands. Then press the strands firmly into place, or if possible, you can tie them until dry. If you are trying to weave in new rattan strips and they are a bit rigid, we recommend soaking the strips in warm water for approximately 30 minutes to make them more flexible.

Some rattan furniture sets feature rust-free, powder-coated aluminium, so it can be left outside all year round. Any chips can be repaired using touch-up paint. The touch-up paint is usually in the form of spray paint as this makes it easier to get a smooth finish. 

Protecting Your Rattan Furniture

Apart from cleaning, there are other ways of prolonging the life of your garden furniture:

1) Most important, follow the manufacturer's guidelines to comply with the conditions of the guarantee.

2) Use cushions - they can protect the garden furniture from sharp objects in pockets.

3) To avoid damaging the feet and legs, carry garden furniture by the frame instead of dragging it.

4) Use covers for your furniture and cushions during the winter months. Made to order, we provide covers in any size or shape.

Garden furniture covers are essential if you want to protect and prolong the life of your rattan garden furniture. Outdoor covers are made from a breathable material that is designed to protect your furniture from all weather conditions - yes, even snow and frost. Not only that but they protect against other issues such as bird droppings, garden debris and rotting leaves. 

The extremes of our British weather, together with regular usage, mean your rattan-style garden furniture will attract some dirt and staining. Furniture covers are a great way to reduce the wear and tear from bad weather, along with following our advice on cleaning and maintenance to ensure your garden furniture will stay in great condition for many seasons to come.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How often should I clean my rattan garden furniture?

Rattan garden furniture needs very little maintenance. We would recommend that you clean this at least once a year. This could be done in the spring so the furniture is clean for use in summer.

Can I pressure wash rattan furniture?

Yes, you can. However, you should always do this on the lowest setting and from a distance.

Do rattan garden sets require touch-up paint?

 No, the colour is present in the core of the synthetic weave. This means it cannot chip off. You may require touch-up paint if you have an exposed aluminium frame.

Further Reading:

How to Choose Rattan Garden Furniture