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1301 days ago

How to keep Rattan Furniture looking nice

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Rattan is an attractive, lightweight, and durable material for furniture. It’s also eco-friendly, as the plants are fast-growing and plentiful. Whether you choose to display your rattan indoors or out, following these steps will keep your rattan clean and in good repair.

You Will Need:
• Dishwashing detergent
• Water
• Soft cloth(s)
• Bowl
• Toothbrush
• Boiled linseed oil
• Lacquer

• Paintbrush


Steps to Clean the Rattan:Fill a bowl with water. Add a few drops of dish detergent and stir to agitate until bubbles form on the surface.

Dip a soft cloth into the bubbles only, not into the water.


Wipe the rattan with the bubbles. The slight moisture cleans without over-wetting the rattan, which can cause damage.


Use a toothbrush or other soft brush to clean in the cracks and crevices, using the same suds-only cleaning method.

For a thorough cleaning or to remove stains, apply detergent and scrub with slightly more water than you do for routine cleaning. As soon as you’re done, dry the rattan with a hot hair dryer or set it out in the sun. Once the rattan has dried completely, apply a coat of lacquer with a paintbrush to provide added protection if desired. Repeat annually.

Additional Tips and Advice:

To restore dry, cracked, or split rattan, apply boiled linseed oil with a brush. When the furniture won’t absorb any more oil, wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Allow it to dry or harden before using the rattan again. Make sure you use BOILED linseed oil. Raw linseed oil will not dry or harden. Boiled linseed oil is available at most hardware stores. (You do not actually boil it yourself.)


Keep Reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.6% Yes
    85.6% Complete
  • 13.3% No
    13.3% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2030 votes
4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Railing planters

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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