Wondering how to care for your cane furniture? Follow these easy hints to keep your cane seat chairs and cane furniture strong and supple for many long years of life and enjoyment.
Cane rattan furniture and decor is making a stylish comeback. It’s not the latest trend, but an eternal and timeless addition to your home.
The plants used to make woven, natural-fiber furniture take many shapes, but two of the most common materials used are rattan and cane. Often confused and used interchangeably, rattan and cane are different applications of a similar material.
Cane Bar Cabinet 95cm "Be My Guest" by Warm Nordic
Rattan includes over 600 different species of solid timber vine (different from a material like bamboo, which is hollow), native to tropical forests. Cane, on the other hand, is actually a specific part of rattan, which is removed from the thorny outer skin of the plant. It’s naturally very light in color, somewhat shiny, and far less porous than other parts of rattan—making it exceptional at repelling liquid spills.
Explore Our Timeless Cane Collection
Cane rattan is so versatile – it can be used for making furniture, mirrors, chairs, bedheads and lampshades to name but a few. It can look stunning when used together in various shapes and forms.
From eye-catching striking lampshades to bentwood dining chairs & cane storage solutions, invite a bit of sunshine and brighten your home with these effortlessly cool interior pieces.
Mix with big, lush green plants and different shades of terracotta and burnt orange accenting accessories to complete the look.
If you want to keep your cane seat chairs and cane furniture strong and supple for many years to come - follow a few simple recommendations:
Keep cane furniture away from extreme heat situations and areas with low humidity.
These conditions could cause the cane to dry out and become brittle and break. Also direct sunlight and heater ducts are areas to be avoided. In the winter which can be especially helpful to keep the air moist and not too dry.
Keep cane furniture clean, free of dust, dirt and grime.
Clean grimy or dirty cane with a wood soap such as mild detergent in warm water, using a soft cloth or perhaps a soft bristle brush. Take care not to damage the wood surface with the water. Rinse well and then let the seat dry naturally on a warm, windy day to eliminate the possibility of mold and mildew setting in which will damage and stain the cane. Do not sit on the seat for at least 48 hours otherwise, the cane will stretch out of shape.
Eliminate mold and mildew on your cane seat chairs or cane panel furniture.
If you notice mold or mildew growing on your cane furniture, use a strong solution of bleach or hydrogen peroxide in warm soapy water to clean. Or use the hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip swab to remove if there are only a few tiny spots.
Then rinse well and dry outdoors in the sunshine on a warm, windy day. Be careful not to spill the bleach solution on any surrounding wooden frame parts and wipe off any wooden surfaces immediately. Take the precautions mentioned in this tip sheet to maintain moderate humidity so as not to attract mold and mildew.
Do not store or use cane furniture in high humidity areas or in wet areas where mold and mildew can present a problem.
Avoid basements, crawl spaces, up next to a wall, or on the porch pushed up next to the wall of the house where the furniture does not get adequate air circulation .
What to do if your cane seat chair or cane furniture panels are sagging?
Cane has natural elastic properties but eventually, the caned seat will begin to sag with heavy or prolonged use. It is important to tighten the cane or it will begin to wear and break along the inside edge of the seat frame, both on the sides and front and back edges.
Cane seats that are not too badly stretched or that are free of broken strands, can be revived by turning the chair upside-down and applying a warm, wet cloth to the underside of the cane seat. Let the cloth and cane dry naturally overnight.
Remove the cloth and turn chair upright and don't let anyone sit on it for at least 48 hours. This treatment will dry and shrink the cane again, tightening it up in the process, taking the pressure off the inside wooden edges.
An alternative solution would be to use a spray water bottle and spritz the seat thoroughly with warm water. Then let the seat dry overnight and as it dries the cane will shrink and pull tightly once again. Allow 48 hours for the cane t0 fully dry before using again.
This tightening process is most effective when used regularly within the first five years of recaning and won't work at all if there are several broken strands. Using this preventative method three or four times a year should be sufficient to help prolong the life of your cane seat chair for many years.
How to prolong the life of your caned seat dining chair?
The use of a chair pad or cushion is encouraged. This especially pertains to large cane chairs with a seat diameter of greater than 14 inches. Cushion will distribute the weight evenly and take the pressure off the individual strands of cane, thus making them last longer.
Distribute the weight evenly on the seat. A cane seat is intended to take evenly distributed weight of the person sitting on the seat, not concentrated weight, like a knee or foot. So NEVER kneel on a cane seat or use it as a ladder or step stool. Doing so will cause the cane strands to break and the seat will need to be rewoven prematurely.
If you’re looking to invest in a lovely piece of caned furniture – or maybe an entire collection for your house this season, look no further. We are sure these pieces will become classics coveted 50 years from now.
The pieces’ caned surface allows light and air to flow through the furniture while casting fine patterned shade across the furnished space.
Here's our few favourite picks from Pepper Sq Cane rattan furniture collection.
THE HOT SEAT
Add a piece, or a set, of cane chairs to any room and the atmosphere instantly relaxes.
Robin Cane Bentwood Rocking Chair
Thonet's design heritage is present in the tables, chairs and armchairs from the classic bentwood collection. All products produced by using and unique craftsmanship technology to execute elegant silhouettes, impressive shapes and chair backs equipped with decorative swirls.
A LIGHT TOUCH
Cane rattan lighting is blissful, spreading the rays of light gently through the gridded cane really sets the tone inside any space.
Pam Rattan Round Pendant Light
The cane pendants will bring a touch of luxury to your bedroom, dining and living room.
A VERSATILE FIT
The pieces’ caned surface allows light and air to flow through the furniture while casting fine patterned shade across the furnished space.
Be My Guest Cane Sideboard 130cm by Warm Nordic
Our Be My Guest cane sideboard is spacious and elegant featuring two doors made of cane wicker. The design taps into classical references with its rounded edges, and the Be My Guest cabinet has a natural beauty that makes it a beautiful companion to the rattan furniture range.
Discover our classic cane furniture collection.
Enjoy shopping with Pepper Sq.!