Wetness primarily affects the condition of natural rattan. Therefore, rattan furniture needs to be waterproofed. High-quality synthetic rattan furniture can be left out in different weather conditions like a rainy day. However, the natural rattan cannot be left exposed to various weather elements like wetness.
Natural rattan has a high propensity to decay and rot since it is a natural material. For the natural rattan, rain can easily spoil, while too much sun makes it brittle and rigid. Exposure to snow or frost has a high chance of splitting it.
Waterproofed rattan garden furniture will behave like synthetic rattan because it will not rot, break or split easily. Therefore, this article articulates why it is essential to waterproof. It demonstrates the adverse effects of leaving the rattan furniture exposed to harsh weather elements like rain, snow, frost, or sun.
Rattan is Dried Plant Fibre- It Distorts and Breaks When Wet
Most rattans are made from natural materials and primarily reeds. Given the brittle nature of reeds, they are rigid when dry. When wetness sets in, the dried plant fiber distorts and breaks. Therefore, it is always essential to have your rattan furniture covered with waterproof materials to prevent breaking. As winter approaches, ensure that your natural rattan material is well kept and covered with waterproof materials. If you’re looking for a stylish way to protect your furniture, you can easily do it with a matching chair cover.
Regular Exposure to Moisture Softens and Rots the Material
Did you know excessive exposure of rattan to wetness and dampness could cause them to rot? That is mainly because rattan is made from a natural material that can decompose with exposure to conditions conducive to rotting. Synthetic materials like polyethylene are non-degradable. However, raw materials like reeds, leaves and even wood are prone to rotting. Most rattan models are made from natural plant materials like reeds.
When exposed to enough moisture, oxygen, and some warmth for a considerable time, bacteria growth is enhanced. Like the average bacterial eats into leaves, wood, and other degradable materials left outside, rattan furniture also falls victim to the same fate. The natural material that makes up the rattan furniture will allow bacteria for rotting when exposed outside in wetness for quite a long time. Therefore, it is vital to discourage dampness and moisture by covering the rattan furniture with waterproof materials.
Too much Exposure to Wetness leads to the Growth of Mold & Mildew.
Waterproof materials are essential in preventing the growth of molds and mildews. The growth of mold on furniture, especially those made from natural materials, is caused by excess saturation or humidity. The development of molds and mildew is widespread with a poorly insulated exterior wall, including elevated indoor humidity. Therefore, if you store your rattan furniture when still wet in the winter, you will find it full of molds and mildew when retrieving them. That will be such an ugly scene to behold. Even if the rattan furniture were dry upon storage, there is a high chance that they will have growths of mold and mildew if your storage facility’s walls are not insulated. With poor ventilation and temperature control, you will face the danger of having your rattan furniture full of molds and mildews. Therefore, it is prudent always to cover your rattan furniture with waterproof materials, especially when storing them up for some time. Waterproof covering will discourage the prevailing conditions for the growth of molds and mildews.
Too much wetness Discolors and Distorts the Integrity of Rattan Furniture.
When waterproof material is used to cover rattan, the maintains its strong and original state and look. That is because the waterproof material will prevent wetness from setting in. Wetness and dampness cause many overall effects on your rattan furniture; rotting, growth of molds, among other negative impacts of wetness. In that case, the integrity of the material is tampered with. Suppose you leave your rattan furniture to be exposed to moisture. In that case, you will have to occasionally rub a dry cloth against it or use other means to try and remove the molds, mildews, water, dust, and any other elements that might get on the furniture. Consequentially, the rubbing creates friction increasing the rate at which your rattan furniture decolorizes and gets affected by tear and wear.
Additionally, exposure of rattan furniture to external elements like water leads to the soaking of rattan in dampness. That will make rattan weak since the strength of rattan material comes from its rigid state. Therefore, the quality of rattan furniture will be significantly affected.
Waterproofed Rattan Maintains your Furniture in a Clean State
Pooled water could freeze on the rattan furniture, covers, and cushions. In that case, you cannot sit on it until it is properly cleaned and dried. Therefore, you need to make your natural rattan furniture waterproof to avoid hassle with regaining the shape of the furniture after a rainy day or any exposure like spills.
Final Thought
If you are struggling with whether to settle on a natural rattan or not, you do not need to worry much. That is because waterproofing can entirely transform the longevity of your rattan furniture. The reasons above are enough to trigger you into waterproofing your natural rattans. Therefore, if summer is a long way to go, do not worry about moulds, mildews, and rotting because you’ll only have to waterproof your natural rattans.
