How to Repair Rattan Furniture - Your Guide

Do you have a piece of rattan furniture that’s seen better days? You might think that it’s done for and that you have to buy a completely new piece of furniture but, don’t worry, you can fix it. Rattan is a popular material for furniture because it’s durable and stylish.

However, even the best materials can start to wear down over time. And of course, accidents happen and you might experience ripping the material or puncturing it. We’re going to explain how to repair rattan furniture and the different methods that you can use to pull off the fixes.

Some of which you can repair using some common household tools and materials. Keep reading for a step-by-step tutorial.

How to Repair Rattan Furniture: The Process

If you're wondering how to repair rattan furniture, there are a few steps you'll have to take. Let's take a look at one of the simpler methods that you can try. The first step is to assess the damage.

Take a close look at your furniture and identify any areas that need to be repaired. Once you've done that, it's time to gather your supplies.

For this project, you'll need a few things:

• Sandpaper or sanding sponge
• A pair of pliers
• An adhesive
• A rattan patch (if needed)
• A paintbrush (optional)

If the damage is only surface level, then you can start by sanding down the area. This will help to smooth out any rough edges and give the furniture a bit of a new lease on life. With rattan that could mean frayed edges or ends. If the damage is more significant, then you may need to use a rattan patch from a craft store or create a patch yourself.

These are often available from most hardware stores or online and come in a variety of sizes. Simply cut the patch to size and glue it into place.

Once you've repaired the damage, you can also revarnish the material if you need to. You can even give it an extra layer of protection with a sprayable sealant.

However, if you're using synthetic rattan material you may not need this since the material is made to be weatherproof. With a little bit of time and effort, you can repair your rattan furniture and make it look as good as new.

What About Different Methods to Try?

There are multiple approaches you can take to fix your rattan furniture pieces. The method you may decide to use should depend on the extent of the damage. For example, you can weave in new pieces of the material. This can be done by purchasing rattan strips.

The reels of material are meant for repair purposes and you can find them at any lawn and garden store. You can also find them on online marketplaces.

You need to prepare the damaged spot and remove any pieces that you won't be able to work with as you move forward through the repair.

• Start soaking the new rattan in water
• Weave the soaked pieces into the existing pieces with the help of your pliers
• Glue them into place to keep them from moving
• Trim off the excess pieces of material
• Allow it to dry

This method is similar to the previous method. The difference is that you'll be interlacing the new with the old instead of using a premade patch or making a patch before attaching.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Not every piece can be fully fixed. Sometimes the damage is too great and you’d be better off buying completely new. Be sure to check the warranty on your rattan furniture before you throw it out. Many of our rattan furniture sets come with a 12-month guarantee on the frame.

But should you be out of luck, and DIY repairs proving too difficult, a brand new rattan furniture set may be the way to go.

While our rattan furniture is designed to withstand the UK weather, it will only do so to a point. It will still need care, love and attention to help ensure its longevity.

How to Make Your Rattan Furniture Last Longer

Whilst repairing your rattan pieces is possible, it wouldn’t hurt to take a few preventative measures to prolong the life of your outdoor furniture. The damage won’t always come from ripping or puncturing the material. While our synthetic rattan is designed to withstand a lot of the UK weather, it’s not completely resistant to over-exposure. Nature can have an effect on anything so let’s take a look at a few ways you can extend your furniture’s lifespan.

Keep It Clean

Rattan furniture is pretty easy to keep clean, as the material is naturally resistant to dirt and dust. However, over time your rattan furniture can start to look a little dull and faded if not cleaned regularly. To keep it looking its best, give it a good wipe down with a damp cloth every now and then.

If you live in an area with high winds or heavy pollen, you may want to give it a deeper clean every few months using soapy water and a soft-bristle brush.

Standard household hose pipes can work wonders on rattan furniture. Of course, be sure to remove your cushions before spraying down your furniture.

Protect It From the Elements

Even though the material is resistant to UV rays and does well in different types of weather, it would help to protect it as much as you can. Doing this will help it last longer.

If you want to keep your rattan furniture looking like new for longer, it's important to protect it from the elements. One of the best ways to do this is to cover the furniture when not in use.

If possible, store your rattan furniture indoors or in a shed during the winter and rainy months. If you can't do this, then make sure you cover it up with a furniture cover that's designed for the outside. These covers are specifically designed to be exposed to the weather, and you’ll be happier replacing the cover more often than what it's trying to protect.

This means that it should be waterproof. This will help to protect it from the sun, rain, and wind.

Repair Any Damage Quickly

If your rattan furniture does start to show signs of wear and tear, it's important to repair any damage as quickly as possible. This will help to stop the damage from compounding and making the furniture look and function even worse.

You can usually buy rattan furniture repair kits from good DIY stores. These usually come with everything you need to fix small tears and scratches. 

If you follow these tips, you'll allow your rattan furniture to stay looking great for a much longer time frame. Garden furniture, especially rattan pieces, can last up to ten years if you take care of it properly.

Although the material is waterproof and resistant to UV rays it would still be helpful to keep up with maintenance as much as you can. 

Depending on the type of climate you live in and how often you use your furniture, will depend on how much maintenance or touching up it could need. Overall, rattan furniture won't call for too much maintenance over the course of its life.

Stay Proactive: Common Problems to Be Aware Of

One of the most common problems with rattan furniture is that the joints can become loose over time. This is usually caused by wear and tear, as well as exposure to the elements.

To fix this, simply use a rattan repair kit to reinforce the joints. This will make them much stronger and less likely to come loose in the future.

Another common issue is that the rattan can start to fade in colour if it's left out in the sun for too long. If this happens, you can simply give it a new coat of paint or varnish to restore its original colour. If your rattan furniture has become stained, then don't worry - this is actually quite easy to fix.

All you need to do is mix up a solution of warm water and white vinegar, and then use a soft cloth to wipe away the stain. If your rattan furniture has started to show signs of wear and tear, then it's probably time to give it a good deep clean. The best way to do this is to mix up a solution of warm water and laundry detergent, and then use a soft brush to scrub away any dirt or grime.

Once you've cleaned your rattan furniture, make sure you rinse it off with clean water to remove any soap residue. Then, allow it to air dry completely before using it again.

Get the Set That Speaks to You

Now that you have a better idea of how to repair rattan furniture, you can get started bringing some of your old pieces back to life. Rattan furniture can last a long time and the material can be easier to work with than most may think.

However, sometimes it's worth starting over and getting something new. Whether you need new pieces for garden storage, shade, or furniture in general, GardenFurnitureSets have the collections that you need for your space.

Check out some of the rattan furniture sets that we have to offer for your space today.