How to Clean Wicker Furniture - A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Natural wicker is surprisingly easy to care for — if you know what you're doing. Here's everything you need to keep your pieces looking beautiful for years.

You've invested in beautiful wicker furniture. Maybe it's a rattan chair that anchors your living room, a set of wall baskets you've had for years, or a lampshade that changes the entire mood of a space. Whatever it is, taking care of natural wicker isn't complicated — but doing it wrong can cause warping, cracking, or mildew that's difficult to reverse.

This guide covers everything: routine dusting, deep cleaning, dealing with stains, and protecting your pieces long-term. Read it once, bookmark it, and your wicker will thank you for years.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these basics:

- A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush

- A vacuum with a brush attachment

- Two clean cloths or sponges

- Mild dish soap or white vinegar

- Warm water

- A dry towel

Step 1: Dry Dust First — Always

The most common mistake people make is going straight for the wet cloth. Don't.

Start by vacuuming your wicker furniture with a brush attachment, working along the weave to pull dust out of the crevices. Follow up with a soft-bristle brush to loosen anything the vacuum missed. This step matters because wicker's woven structure traps dust deep in the gaps — skipping this and going straight to water just turns dry dust into muddy residue.

Do this light dusting weekly if your piece is used daily, or every two to three weeks for accent pieces.

Step 2: Wipe Down with a Lightly Damp Cloth

For routine cleaning, dampen a clean cloth with plain warm water — not soaking wet, just damp — and wipe down the surface of the wicker, following the direction of the weave. Wring the cloth out thoroughly before you start. Too much moisture is the enemy of natural rattan or bamboo.

Once you've wiped it down, go immediately over the same surface with a dry cloth to absorb any remaining moisture. Never let natural rattan or bamboo sit wet. Water that soaks into the fibers can cause swelling, warping, and eventually mildew.

Step 3: Deep Clean for Grime or Build-Up

If your piece has visible grime, grease, or general build-up from regular use, it's time for a deeper clean.

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of warm water until slightly sudsy. Dip a soft brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly for tight weaves) into the solution and gently scrub along the weave, paying attention to crevices and joints.

For a natural alternative, white vinegar diluted with equal parts water works well and is safe for most natural fibers.

After scrubbing, wipe the entire surface with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap residue, then dry thoroughly with a towel. Let the piece air-dry completely before using it — ideally in a well-ventilated room, away from direct sunlight.

Step 4: Tackle Stains Quickly

The golden rule with wicker stains: act fast. A fresh spill is far easier to deal with than one that's dried and set into the fiber.

Blot — don't rub — the spill immediately with a dry cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Then use the mild soap and water solution from Step 3 to gently clean the area, working with the weave rather than across it. Dry thoroughly.

For stubborn stains, a paste of baking soda and water left on for a few minutes before gentle scrubbing can help lift the residue without damaging the fibers.

Step 5: Dry Completely Before Storing or Covering

This cannot be overstated. Mildew is the biggest threat to natural wicker, and it develops when moisture is trapped inside the fibers. After any cleaning, allow your piece to dry fully in a space with good airflow.

If you need to speed things up, use a fan or a hair dryer set to the lowest heat. Never use high heat, which can dry out and crack the natural fibers.

 

Long-Term Care Tips

• Keep wicker products away from prolonged direct sunlight, which can bleach and dry out the fibers over time.

• Avoid placing it directly on damp floors or surfaces.

• Rotate pieces periodically so any light exposure is even.

• Condition occasionally with a light coat of linseed oil or lemon oil to keep the fibers supple and prevent cracking — especially in very dry climates.

With the right care, natural wicker and rattan furniture doesn't just last — it gets better with age, developing a warm, lived-in patina that tells the story of a well-loved home.

Shop handcrafted wicker and rattan pieces at Wicker Village — also available on Amazon, Chairish, Nordstrom, and Wescover.