Outdoor Rattan Furniture: A Guide To Choosing The Best - By: Jason Harris, Posted on: 2007-08-03

The outdoor rattan furniture market is simply exploding. Not only are there new designs, but new colors and patterns as well -- and every day there is another company springing up that sells this wonderful stuff.

Let's deal with one subject right off: What is rattan? Actually, rattan is a natural plant product - it is grown in the moist, humid tropical regions of Asia and India. Bamboo grows there as well, but unlike bamboo, which has a hollow stalk, rattan is solid. In addition, bamboo is less flexible than rattan - which is good as this allows the maker to fashion it into all sorts of useful furniture objects.

Rattan is first harvested in the rain forests where it grows naturally. The plant stalks are cut into lengths appropriate for the type of furniture object that it will be made into. After harvesting the rattan must be treated and specially cared for, as the leaves can become infested with a fungus. Treating the rattan leaves will eliminate this problem, but some lower-quality suppliers will not treat the rattan properly, and as a result the rattan can become discolored over time.

This leads me to my first recommendation: unless you consider yourself an expert on the subject, make sure that you buy your outdoor rattan furniture from a reliable dealer. If you don't you may invest your hard-earned money on junk that will just not last, or look its best.

Remember: Outdoor rattan furniture is made from naturally occurring materials. For this reason do not allow your furniture to sit in pools of standing water. Why? Because it will eventually absorb the water, and this can cause swelling and gaps to appear in where the rattan is woven together.

How do you maintain your outdoor rattan furniture? Well, it's very easy: just clean with a vacuum cleaner, or a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. If your rattan furniture gets wet, you should allow it to dry thoroughly - and make sure that your furniture is completely dry before you store it away for the winter.

If your outdoor rattan furniture requires more care, you can entrust it to a furniture restoration specialist. If rough spots appear on your furniture, you can take care of these yourself if you like: just sand the area lightly and then apply a good finish or varnish. If more extensive work needs done - if the frame is cracked, or the weaving needs repaired - you should contact your furniture restorer.

When it is properly cared for, your outdoor rattan furniture will last for many years. Rattan is a quality material for any outdoor furniture item. It is cool, requires but little maintenance, and is lightweight. For all of its cost, it is truly a great value in outdoor furniture!

Article Source: http://www.southerncaliforniarealestateagent.com/submit-real-estate-articles

About the author: Jason Harris talks about home repair and Outdoor Wicker Furniture Learn all aboutwicker chair cushions by visiting his home and garden site.
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