How to clean wicker furniture comes down to one question first: is it natural wicker or resin wicker? Natural rattan, willow, and reed want a dry brush, a barely damp cloth, and a fast, full dry. Resin (HDPE) wicker made for patios can take a garden hose and mild soapy water. For both, brush the weave first, never let water sit, and dry everything fully before cushions or covers go back on.
Below are both routines, plus cushions, frames, mildew, and storage. If you are still choosing a material, our best patio furniture material guide compares wicker, teak, and aluminum in depth, so we will not repeat that here.
First, figure out what you are cleaning
Wicker is a weave, not a material. As Castlery’s wicker care guide explains, traditional wicker can be woven from rattan, bamboo, willow, or reed, while synthetic wicker copies the look with plastic fiber. Check the product page or tag first:
- Resin or all weather wicker: listed as HDPE, PE rattan, polyethylene, or resin wicker, usually over an aluminum or steel frame. Built for outdoor use.
- Natural rattan or wicker: real plant fiber, often on indoor pieces or trim. Sensitive to soaking, sun, and humidity.
- Mixed pieces: wood furniture with natural rattan panels or baskets. Clean the wood and the weave separately.
How to clean wicker furniture made of resin (HDPE)
Resin wicker is the forgiving one. This routine follows the steps in Outer’s wicker cleaning guide and the Restoration Hardware outdoor wicker care sheet:
- Pull the cushions to wash separately.
- Dry brush the weave. A soft brush or vacuum lifts grit before water turns it into mud.
- Rinse with a hose on a gentle or medium spray.
- Wash with mild soap. Outer suggests about 2 oz of mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water, scrubbed with a soft brush that follows the weave. Skip abrasive cleansers and bleach.
- Rinse well, including the underside, corners, and feet, so soap does not dry in the strands.
- Towel off and air dry, ideally in partial shade, until every joint is dry.
Resin wicker cleaning and pressure washers
Makers disagree here, so follow the instructions for your exact piece. The Restoration Hardware care sheet allows a pressure washer at about 1,200 PSI with the nozzle held around 30 inches away. Outer says never to use one, because concentrated pressure can separate the weave from the frame and push water into joints. If your paperwork is silent, stick with a hose and brush.
Resin wicker pieces we carry
Our Fully Assembled 4 Seat Outdoor Wicker Sectional (listed at $1,997.99) pairs handwoven HDPE wicker with a rustproof aluminum inner frame, and its listing gives the care simply as “clean with soap and water.” The Fully Assembled Wicker 4 Person Outdoor Seating Group (about $1,860.99 at the time of writing) uses the same HDPE over aluminum build. The Salena patio sofa with 2 ottomans ($1,862.99) uses a flat all weather resin wicker strand (8 x 1.3mm) over powder coated aluminum, and a removable 5mm glass top, so lift the glass off before you hose the wicker base underneath.
Rattan furniture care: natural wicker
Natural fiber needs a lighter touch. Castlery notes that prolonged water causes sagging, warping, and brittleness, and Outer advises against hosing natural wicker at all.
- Dust often with a microfiber cloth, soft brush, or vacuum brush attachment.
- Spot clean with a damp cloth, never a soaked one. A few drops of dish soap in warm water is enough. Use a soft toothbrush in tight corners.
- Wipe off the soap with a clean, damp cloth.
- Dry fully in shade or indoor airflow, not in direct sun.
- Condition occasionally. Castlery suggests a light coat of linseed or lemon oil every few months to keep natural fibers supple.
The Benzara Rena End Table (listed at $459.25) is a good example of a mixed piece: a mahogany frame with three hand woven natural rattan baskets. Pull the baskets out to dust them. The Benzara Heo Nightstand (about $478.22) has natural rattan accents on its drawer front.
Frames: aluminum, iron, and steel
Under the weave, the frame decides how careful you need to be. Powder coated aluminum resists rust, so soap and water is the whole routine. Iron and steel frames need more attention: dry them after washing and touch up chips in the coating before rust starts. The Benzara Elza Outdoor Accent Chair (listed at $450.52) wraps faux rattan over an iron frame, and the Benzara Castic Outdoor Hanging Chair ($590.22) weaves PE rattan over a rust proof iron frame with an 8 foot chain. You can browse the full Benzara collection for more woven pieces.
Cushions and sling seats
Several of our sets use zippered olefin covers that the listings describe as removable and machine washable, including the Fully Assembled 6 Piece Rattan Sofa Seating Group ($1,951.99), which lists marine grade olefin fabric and 5 inch foam cushions. Follow the tag on the cover for wash settings, and let the foam dry completely before zipping it back in.
If cushions get soaked, the Restoration Hardware care sheet suggests standing them on their sides, zipper down and open, so water drains. Sling chairs are simpler. The Rove Concepts Jericho Sling Chair (listed at $435) has an aluminum frame wrapped in polyethylene rattan with fast dry foam, so a soapy wipe and rinse of the cushion and frame covers it.
Mildew and stains
- Mildew on natural wicker: Castlery recommends a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water on a cloth, a short wait, a wipe, and a complete dry.
- Mildew on resin wicker: move the piece somewhere airy, brush off loose debris, wash with mild soap, and dry every section. Outer advises against bleach on its wicker.
- Tree sap: Castlery suggests mild soap and water first, then dabbing with rubbing alcohol.
- Salt air: the Restoration Hardware sheet recommends a weekly rinse in saltwater areas.
Winter storage and covers
Clean and fully dry everything before it is covered or stored. Both Outer and Restoration Hardware warn that covering damp or dirty furniture invites mildew, and cushions left under covers for long stretches can grow mold. Bring cushions indoors, keep natural rattan in a dry, ventilated room, and brush snow off outdoor covers after each storm. For cover types and fit, see our guide on whether you should cover patio furniture. Own teak too? Our teak cleaning guide covers that material.
Cleaning methods at a glance
| Task | Resin (HDPE) wicker | Natural rattan or wicker |
|---|---|---|
| Routine dusting | Soft brush or vacuum | Soft brush, microfiber, or vacuum |
| Washing | Hose plus mild soap and a soft brush | Damp cloth only, no soaking |
| Pressure washer | Only if the maker allows it | No |
| Mildew | Mild soap, ventilation, full dry | 50/50 vinegar and water on a cloth |
| Drying | Towel, then air dry in partial shade | Shade or indoor airflow, no direct sun |
| Winter | Clean, dry, then cover or store | Indoors, dry and ventilated |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to clean wicker furniture?
Dry brush first, then wash with mild soap. Resin wicker can be hosed and scrubbed with a soft brush; natural wicker gets a damp cloth only. Dry everything completely afterward.
Can you hose down resin wicker?
Yes. Resin wicker cleaning with a garden hose on a gentle or medium spray is fine. Pressure washing depends on the maker, so check your care instructions first.
How do you care for natural rattan furniture?
Rattan furniture care means dusting often, spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth, drying in shade, keeping it out of rain, and conditioning the fibers with linseed or lemon oil every few months.
How do you get mildew off wicker?
On natural wicker, wipe with a 50/50 white vinegar and water mix, then dry fully. On resin wicker, wash with mild soap in a ventilated spot and let every joint dry before covering.
Need help choosing wicker that is easy to keep clean?
For buying tips across brands, see our guide to buying designer furniture online. Questions about a specific piece’s materials or care? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Freight shipping is free on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. You can also read our return and refund policy before you order.
