If you are a lover of all things wicker, you probably have an outdoor furniture set that is your pride and joy. As far as outdoor furniture goes, wicker is known to be a bit more delicate than other pieces, especially when it is exposed to the elements.
Whether you have been keeping your wicker furniture outside for years or you have recently acquired some new furniture, you may be wondering if you should be leaving it outside during the cooler months. So, can wicker furniture be left outdoors in winter? Take a look below to find out.
Winter and wicker
Some winter weather can get pretty harsh, with cold temperatures, rainy days, and wind forecast regularly. As the wicker is made from natural, organic materials, it can be damaged by this weather and also become brittle, which can lead to cracks and splits.
If you live in a wind-prone area, a gust of wind could also damage your furniture by blowing it around, potentially knocking it over or causing breakage. All in all, most winter weather is not ideal for wicker furniture and can drastically lower the life of your pieces. However, if you need to store your wicker furniture outside during winter, there are some steps you can take to keep it protected.
Give it a good clean
The first step to keeping your outdoor wicker furniture protected is to give a clean, as you will most likely need to keep your furniture covered while the weather is cold. To clean your wicker furniture, start with a vacuum to clear it of grime and dirt. After vacuuming, mix some dish soap with warm water and wipe down the pieces with a soft cloth.
If there are some nooks and crannies that are still a bit grubby, you can use a toothbrush with the mixture to give them a clean. If your furniture has a wood trim, swap out the dish soap for wood soap. Before covering your furniture, you need to make sure it is completely dry otherwise it could become moldy.
Freshen it up
Once your furniture is dry, why not freshen it up with a protective coat so it looks good as new when you uncover it? There are a variety of products you can use to polish your wicker furniture, whether you would rather use timber varnish, a sealant or even lemon oil to spruce it up.
Lemon oil is a preferred method because not only does it make your furniture look good as new, it can also clean the furniture and help combat mold, which could be helpful if you are covering your furniture during the cooler months.
To clean your furniture using lemon oil, dip a clean cloth in the oil and simply wipe down the furniture. As this is an oil, it is also important to make sure your furniture is completely dry before you start wiping it down. Once you uncover your furniture after winter, it will not only look great, it will also smell beautifully fresh!