How to Repair Cane & Rattan Furniture?

To start off, can you even repair cane and rattan furniture? Depending on the damage the answer to that question is usually yes, here we are going to go over the simple repairing techniques you can use for common conservatory furniture issues and some tips on how to avoid potential problems in the future. Please note if your furniture is over 15 years old and is suffering from structure damage this blog will not help you as this sort of fix would require a professional/replacement.

Rattan Weave Repair (Indoor and Out)

This is a very common issue usually found in outdoor garden furniture where the weave has been unplaited. This problem can also occur with conservatory furniture, depending on the extent of the damage the repair is usually simple. For outdoor furniture the rattan should be more flexible which will make it easier to weave, there are plenty of videos that demonstrate how to weave a piece of rattan. 

If repairing a conservatory cane weave you may also require some lacquer to ensure that the new piece of cane looks the same as the rest of the suite. Again this can be purchased online, make sure you choose a lacquer that is similar to your suites finish.

Spare strips of rattan can often be found under the chair, however, if you are having trouble finding any spare rattan strips there are plenty of places to buy the material online.

Moss and dirt (Outdoor Furniture)

Staying with outdoor furniture it is a common problem for moss to form on the furniture during periods where the furniture is not being used, dirt and grit can also be found on the furniture. The moss and dirt can be removed by simply cleaning it off, a jet wash can be used on badly affected areas. To stop this from reoccurring it would be wise to invest in a cover for your furniture, this will stop any dirt getting to your furniture ensuring it stays looking as good as new.

Scuffs and bumps (Indoor Furniture)

Over time pets, children and everyday usage will take its toll on the furniture, the most common being scratches on the legs of conservatory chairs and sofas. This can be fixed fairly easily depending on the extent of the damage. Giving the furniture a light sand with low-grade sandpaper, beware if the sandpaper is too high a grade or if you sand for too long you will remove the lacquer on the furniture, this would then require lacquer to cover the affected areas. A light sand and polish should do the trick for indoor furniture however this should not be replicated for outdoor furniture as it will damage the material. For outdoor furniture go to shop you purchased from to get advice on that particular product.

Longevity

Of course, we all want our furniture to look as good as possible for as long as possible and there are ways in which you can increase the longevity of your furniture by following these simple steps:

Indoor

• Polish, every now and again give your furniture a polish with a rag and just some regular polish to revitalise the furniture and keeps it looking (and smelling) brand new.
• Ensure the furniture is not places to close to a wall as this will damage the top of the furniture (and probably the wall too). Any excessive rubbing on the furniture will end up taking the lacquer off.
• Cushions, most indoor cushion are dry clean only however there are some exceptions which should be displayed on the label of the cushions. Cushion information can be found on most manufactures websites so if your looking for some answers find where the cushion came from and make an inquiry at source.

Outdoor

• Aero Covers are breathable, water-resistant covers that help to reduce condensation and help prevent mold from building up on your outdoor furniture.
• A quarterly wash will also ensure your furniture stays looking brand new, a jet wash can be used for selected products, please check with the supplier before doing so.
• Don't drag those chairs! We all do it, but if you avoid dragging chairs, tables, sofa etc then your feet will stay in good shape, dragging will scuff the legs of the chairs and will take its tolls on the furniture. You would be surprised to know how hard it is to source additional feet once damaged.
• Cushions, depending on the manufactures recommendations I would personally still take my cushions in during the winter and during heavy downpours, the more you look after them the longer they'll last!

Have a unique problem not covered in this blog? Comment on this blog below or give us a call on 0116 319 2140. Please note we do not repair cane furniture, however, we will be able to give you expert advice on what your best plan of action is.

UPDATE 21/01/2020

After many conversations in regards to where you can purchase the rattan strips from I thought I would update the blog to hopefully save time. The best place to look for the strips is on some kind of market place like eBay or an equivalence. Keep in mind that not all rattan is the same so look out for colour and material when searching on those market places. We don't provide any of these materials here at Premier Cane Furniture.

We do however manufacture furniture, which is why I will add an additional solution to the blog and that is if the quest for repairs is unreachable then feel free to have a look at our indoor conservatory furniture here: https://www.premier-cane.co.uk/collections/premier-cane-suites