Keeping your outdoor furniture tidy is vital if you want your rattan garden table and chairs to look as good as new and your outdoor space ready for relaxation. Daily outdoor activities can make furniture on your patio or garden look dirty, tired and less than attractive. Also furniture that is left uncovered for long periods of time is likely to collect dust, bird droppings, sap stains and other dirt. The longer a stain is left, the longer it soaks into the material and the more likely it is to leave a permanent mark. If your rattan effect furniture accidentally becomes stained with any of the following types of stains, we have provided some simple ways to help you restore your garden furniture to its original condition, thus helping to keep your garden furniture looking beautiful all year round.

How to remove oil stains?
The most common stain problem with furniture is oil stains - after all, outdoor dining is our favorite activity on a rattan sofa. While oil stains on rattan can be easily removed with a rag, oil stains on cushions can be a little more problematic. But there is no need to worry. Oil stains can be easily removed by applying some grease removing washing up liquid to the affected area. Apply the detergent cleanly and leave it on for a few minutes to allow the grease softening action to work. Then remove the detergent from the fabric with a soft cloth and some clean, warm water. Once you have removed all the detergent from the fabric, you should find that the stain has been removed. If you have not managed to remove the stain completely, you can repeat the process until all the discoloration is gone. Washing powder is another option; this will also act to break down the oils and fats, making the stain easier to remove.

How to remove sunscreen stains?
As most sunscreens are oil based, if they do get on your rattan garden furniture upholstery and cushions you will need to apply something to remove the oil. White vinegar is one option. You can apply it topically to the affected area. Rinse the vinegar with a soft cloth soaked in a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Another option is to apply some washing powder to the area, as this will also break down the oils in the sunscreen. Again, you will need to rinse well with warm water to ensure there is no soap residue left and then air dry thoroughly. If your rattan corner sofa cushion is white, a fabric-safe bleach-based cleaner will be the best option to get the fabric back to a clean white color. For a more natural approach, you could try applying lemon juice to the area and then allowing it to dry naturally in the sun. Lemon juice is known to brighten fabrics, so this will help you to restore the fabric to its original white color without resorting to bleach cleaners.

How to remove charcoal stains?
If you are barbecuing and charcoal dust accidentally gets on your furniture, first try to vacuum the affected area by vacuuming without pressing the fabric. If the charcoal has been rubbed into the cushions of your rattan furniture, try washing it off with a soft cloth soaked in a solution of washing-up liquid and warm water. Do not rub too hard or get the fabric too wet. Then dry thoroughly. If charcoal residue is mixed with grease, for example if barbecue tools are left on the mat or seat cushion, more work will be needed to remove the grease stains. You may need to purchase a dry cleaning solvent to remove this stubborn grease and charcoal mixture. Always test such cleaning products on inconspicuous areas first, before using them more widely or in obvious areas.

How to remove bird droppings stains?
You are likely to encounter this problem when you leave rattan effect garden furniture outside for long periods of time. There are two ways to do this. If the stain is wet, you can try using a flat piece of plastic to remove as much of the stain as possible from the rattan furniture cushions. However, if you try this, you risk rubbing bird droppings further into the fabric. Assuming you have managed to scrape off most of the droppings without rubbing them into the fabric, you can then blot up the remaining residue with damp kitchen paper. Dip the paper into cold water mixed with washing-up liquid and gently blot dry. Try not to wipe! Finally, rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Another option is to allow the bird droppings to dry before removing them. This way you should be able to vacuum the dried droppings off the fabric. It may be a good idea to vacuum the area after vacuuming with kitchen paper soaked in a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid. Again, avoid rubbing. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

How to remove tree sap stains?
It is common to place rattan furniture under trees and it is a great place to go if you want to create a bit of natural shade. However, many types of trees can shed sap and it can stick to the surface. If the sap is still wet, try to wipe it off with a dry cloth. Then use warm water and washing-up liquid to remove any residue. Rinse with water to ensure that you do not leave any soap residue behind and dry naturally and thoroughly. If a sticky, stubborn sap has stuck firmly to a rattan effect furniture cushion, it can be a bit of a struggle to remove it. To treat the oily or waxy component of the stain, you should use an enzyme-based stain remover or a strong detergent. Apply it directly to the area where the sap has built up. Enzyme-based stain removers or strong detergents will break down the oil, making it easier for you to remove the sap from the fabric. Wait ten to fifteen minutes for the stain remover to work. Then wash off with a solution of warm water and detergent. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly. It is not recommended to use this powerful cleaner on synthetic rattan woven furniture as you may damage the weather-resistant, stain-resistant finish. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any debris that has built up between the woven fabrics. If necessary, you can apply a clean washing-up liquid to the sap before brushing. This should help break down the sticky sap so you can clean it up more easily.

How to remove insect stains?
Insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies often like to make their home in garden furniture as it provides many nooks and crannies for them to hide in. You can try to keep them away from you by dusting regularly with a chicken duster or vacuuming your furniture from time to time. Vacuuming is a particularly useful way to keep bugs away from your rattan woven furniture. If your rattan effect furniture has some hard-to-remove bug stains, use a toothbrush soaked in a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid to remove any stubborn debris. Then rinse off with clean, warm water and let dry naturally. If you have noticed that your rattan effect furniture attracts a lot of bugs, you should focus on ways to make your rattan sofa say goodbye to pests. This will help you to avoid the problem of insect stains.

How to remove mildew stains?
If your rattan effect garden furniture is infested with mold or mildew, take action as soon as possible. Firstly, wash the affected area with warm soapy water and then rinse off the soap residue thoroughly. This should clear up any minor problems. If you have more serious mold or mildew on your garden furniture upholstery, you will need to use a bleach product that is safe for fabrics. Mix bleach and water in a bucket to make a 50:50 solution. Then wear rubber gloves and dip a soft bristle brush into the bleach and water solution, as bleach is harmful to the skin. Then scrub with the brush any areas where the mold has started to grow. If there are areas where the mold is difficult to remove, use a toothbrush to scrub these areas more thoroughly. Rinse the bleach from the furniture with a water-soaked sponge, then towel dry and leave to air dry in a cool place.

These are the treatment methods of seven kinds of rattan effect furniture stains that are common in daily life. In addition, it is also important to use soft cloth or soft brush when cleaning rattan effect furniture. Never use abrasive materials or detergents to clean furniture. They can damage the surface and leave ugly scratches. In the long run, they may even make furniture more susceptible to stains, because the protective layer has been damaged.