How to Deal with Mildew on Rattan Furniture

Natural rattan can develop mildew, especially when exposed to humid or damp conditions. Mildew is a type of mold that not only causes dark, unsightly splotches of gray or white but could also cause some serious health risks if Justify untreated. Here are some tips from Wicker Paradise on dealing with the issue:

To deal with mildew on rattan, start by making a 50-50 solution of water and bleach. If you’re uncomfortable with bleach, you may try using distilled vinegar instead. Then, soak a sponge into the solution and wring it slightly to make sure it’s not overly wet. Use the damp sponge to wipe over the mildewed parts. If you’re lucky, the mildew will just be on the surface and will be easy to remove with just a sponge.

If you’re unlucky and the mildew won’t come off by wiping, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the solution and use that to gently scrub over the areas with mildew. Try working on small parts at a time and drying each part before moving on to the next.

Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t come off right away. It may actually take a few tries to remove mildew from rattan furniture completely. After each treatment, leave the furniture under the sun to dry before putting it back in shade to keep it from getting brittle. You can try all over again another time. If it’s bad enough that it doesn’t come off at all, you can take it to a professional for chemical treatment or reweaving.