Product Care & Maintenance

General:

All Furniture needs to be cleaned and cared for in order to maintain its aesthetics and purpose
Always use Warm Soapy Water to clean surfaces
Immediately wipe Dry and liquid spill on any surface
Do not use hoses or high-pressure hoses to clean furniture
Do not use hoses or high-pressure hoses to clean furniture
Do not use hoses or high-pressure hoses to clean furniture
Do not use alkaline products like spray n wipe to clean furniture
Do not drag furniture
Do not carry tables by their Top
Do not stack furniture (unless it is specified as stackable)
Do not stack seating products on top of Tables
Warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, fading, patina, rust, oxidisation, scratching, timber / stone crack and / or split, chipping, staining, damage from contact with chemicals, malicious or accidental damage
Furniture Specified for Outdoor use under cover must NOT be exposed to rain, water or direct heat
Furniture Specified for Indoor use must NOT be used outdoor under any circumstances

Rattan Furniture vs. Wicker Furniture

Many people tend to believe that Wicker furniture and Rattan furniture are one and the same. As a result, the terms are often used interchangeably to address outdoor/indoor furniture commonly sold.

Facts:

Wicker and Rattan Furniture fall under the same category but there is a remarkable difference between the two.
Rattan is one of the raw materials used in making furniture.
Wicker is an ancient technique used to manufacture items (mainly furniture) out of natural materials, such as rattan, willow, bamboo, straw and more.
Rattan is a specific material, hence rattan furniture is crafted out of rattan only, but wicker furniture may be crafted out of different materials such as bamboo, straw and even rattan. Recently, synthetic materials are also being used for manufacturing wicker furniture.
Unlike bamboo pole, rattan boasts a strong core and is thus durable and hard to break. The solid core of rattan along with vertical grains is harvested and cut into smaller sections and then steamed to give varied shapes. The outside skin of the rattan pole, which is the peel, is generally used to bind the furniture joints together.
Many rattan products are manufactured without peeling and thus making the process of manufacturing significantly cheaper and inconsistent.
Process of peeling + use of best grade rattan – like tohiti – makes a superior quality rattan furniture, which is common for every single rattan product in mesh furniture range.

Characteristics:

In terms of versatility and durability, rattan furniture scores much more than wicker furniture. Rattan features a solid core and is available in an array of natural colours.
Wicker furniture, on the other hand, may or may not be strong as it varies with the material used for manufacturing wicker furniture.

Indoor vs. Outdoor use:

Natural rattan furniture is certain to fade & peel if exposed to sunlight & rain. As a result, it is preferred for indoor use only. On the other hand, wicker furniture made from synthetic material is not known to fade when exposed to sunlight. Hence, they can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

Rattan Care: As one would with any furniture, please refrain from using rope, rattan and wicker furniture other than what it has been specified for. Since rattan furniture will fade when exposed to sunlight, please ensure it is only used indoor or outdoor under cover with no direct exposure to water, rain and sunlight. For any liquid spill on furniture, please wipe it off immediately with a clean damp cloth. Do not use any cleaning liquid / chemical as it may react with rattan. As our entire range is hand-woven, it may loosen with normal use and over time. Hence, please ensure furniture is handled gently with care. Metal Frame Furniture (powder-coated or not) is also subject to fading and rusting if prolonged to continuous exposure to water elements. Remember to wipe off dry any water off metal surface and keep rotating / moving furniture in order to avoid hidden water / moisture trapped underneath feet of metal frames developing rust. It is also advisable to leave all wicker as well as metal frame furniture turned upside down and exposed to sun for a short period of time (recommended 2 – 3 hours once every 2-3 weeks). This assists in drying up of moisture on overall furniture.

Rattan – Outdoor Use: Rattan is a material with extraordinary characteristics, but with limitations. Rattan is a vine of the Palm race, which grows in very humid or even swampy equatorial forests. With its siliceous skin like glass, this extremely solid and light vine is particularly resistant to humidity, just like tropical timber like teak. But this resistance has its limitations. Exposed to rain, rattan resists very well for a day. But if it rains continuously for hours, humidity will gradually penetrate Rattan. Dampness will slowly degrade material allowing it to lose its stain & resistance qualities. This characteristic of rattan requires responsible use by a customer. On the terraces of Parisian cafes, the chairs last for years. But they dried prior to being stacked every night & secured under cover allowing them to stay dry when not is use. Generally, rattan can withstand rain for long hours without compromising its longevity, BUT products MUST BE DRIED IMMEDIATELY & REGULARLY. When not in use, It is imperative to place / store products under cover in a ventilated shelter to avoid progressive humidification.

Conclusion: Rattan specified for outdoor use will withstand continuous rain for a day; however, it must be manually dried immediately. All rattan products MUST be stored under cover = not exposed to weather when not in use.

Rope Furniture: Polyethylene rope with aluminium, steel and teak frames has been designed to be as low maintenance as possible. You may choose to use a fabric and upholstery protector to give it maximum stain resistance. It is recommended that you test the solution to be sure it does not alter the rope. It is also important to wipe any spills as quickly as possible. To spot clean an area, apply a mist of mild soapy water and work in the solution with a soft cloth by blotting or using light pressure. Then rinse off the solution thoroughly and allow it to air dry. Do not use abrasive materials, excessive scrubbing or a high-pressure hose. And please keep sharp objects away from the rope to avoid any cutting or fraying. Note: All Outdoor Furniture, including rope will endure natural wear and tear over time.

Timber: Each timber is unique. Natural colour & grain variations will cause timber to react differently to different stain & finishes. It is not uncommon to find several contrasts on same piece of furniture. Knots and other characteristics are an indication of genuine quality. Timber products should never be soaked, exposed to rain / moisture / water / liquid spill / excessive heat / direct sunlight and extreme temperature. Timber products can be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft cotton cloth. Wipe dry any liquid spills immediately. Do not leave spills, glass, crockery or hot pots / pans on surface for extended periods as they can leave permanent marks.

Stone & Marble products should never be soaked, exposed to rain / moisture / water / liquid spill / excessive heat / direct sunlight and extreme temperature. Stone & Marble products can be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft cotton cloth. Wipe dry any liquid spills immediately. Do not leave spills, glass, crockery or hot pots / pans on surface for extended periods as they can leave permanent marks.

Fabrics: Treat fabric with a scotch guard protection and clean periodically with hand vacuum to remove all dirt and dust particles. Reapply scotch guard as and when required or specified. Use Commercial Fabric shampoo, conditioners & cleaners. Please refer to specific fabric supplier and / or manufacturer’s product care instructions for detailed care.

Outdoor Table Tops: Outdoor Table Tops are supplied with an oiled finish. To reduce ageing of tops and ensure they remain looking new, prevent drying out and spitting. Clean timber every 6 – 12 months with an Industrial grade outdoor timber cleaning agent and / or lightly sand surface to remove all debris, followed by using outdoor timber oil.

Seating Glides: Please check glides as often as possible. Glides are a wear and tear component and must be replaced regularly to protect floor surfaces from getting damaged.

Stacking of Chairs and Stools: Not all seating products is designed or manufactured for stacking. Even products that are specified as stackable will endure wear and tear over time. Do not drag stacked seating, as that will damage your seating products as well as your flooring. If you are unsure or have any questions with regards to your furniture, please contact us via email.