How to Remove Mould from Rattan Furniture (and Stop It Coming Back)

If you live anywhere near the coast, you will know the feeling. You come home after a week away, open up the house and catch that musty smell. Then you spot it: a grey bloom across the arm of your favourite rattan chair.

Don't panic. Mould on rattan is common in humid Australian homes, and in most cases it cleans up beautifully. Here's how to remove it safely and keep it from coming back.

Why rattan gets mouldy

Rattan is a natural palm stem. Its fibres are slightly porous, so they hold on to moisture when the air is damp. Add a warm room, still air and a little dust, and mould spores have everything they need.

The usual culprits are:

• Long stretches of humid weather, especially through summer and the wet season
• Rooms that are closed up, such as holiday homes or spare bedrooms
• Furniture pushed hard against a wall, where air can't circulate
• Covered verandahs where rain blows in or the floor stays damp
• Damp cushions left sitting on the frame

Mould, dirt or beetles?

Before you start, take a close look.

• Mould looks like white, grey, green or black spots or fuzz, usually with a musty smell. It often wipes off in a smear.
• Dirt and dust sits on top of the weave and has no smell.
• Fine powder with tiny round holes is not mould at all. That's the sign of powderpost beetles. Read our guide to protecting rattan from powderpost beetles instead.

What you'll need

• Gloves and a dust mask
• A vacuum with a soft brush attachment
• White vinegar and a spray bottle
• Soft cloths and an old soft toothbrush
• A fan, if you are cleaning indoors

Skip the bleach. It can blotch and yellow natural rattan, weaken the fibres and strip painted finishes.

Step by step

1. Take it outside. Choose a shaded, breezy spot so you don't spread spores through the house.
2. Vacuum gently. Use the brush attachment to lift loose mould and dust from the surface and between the weave.
3. Test first. Mix roughly four parts white vinegar to one part water. Try it on a hidden spot, such as under a seat or the back of a leg, and let it dry.
4. Apply and wait. Lightly mist the mouldy areas, or dab the mix on with a cloth. Use the toothbrush to work it into the weave. Leave it for about an hour.
5. Wipe clean. Wipe over with a cloth dampened in clean water, then with a dry cloth. Don't soak the piece. Rattan that gets saturated can sag and split as it dries.
6. Dry it thoroughly. Leave it in a well-ventilated, shaded spot until it's completely dry, ideally a full day. A fan helps indoors. Avoid baking it in harsh afternoon sun, which can dry the fibres too fast and cause cracking.
7. Finish. Once it's fully dry, apply a light coat of furniture wax or polish, as in our care instructions. This helps seal the surface.

The vinegar smell fades within a day or so.

Painted or white rattan: go gentler. Use warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, and always test first.

Cushions: remove covers and wash them according to their label. Dry inserts fully in the sun before putting them back on the frame.

When to call it

If the mould keeps returning from deep inside the weave, or the rattan feels soft and crumbly, the damage may be structural. A furniture restorer can tell you if the piece is worth saving.

How to keep mould away

• Give it air. Leave a gap of 5–10cm between rattan pieces and the wall.
• Keep the room moving. Open windows on dry days, run ceiling fans and use a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers in closed-up rooms.
• Keep it dry. Natural rattan is best indoors or on a fully covered, sheltered verandah. Move it in when storms roll through.
• Dust regularly. Mould loves dust. Vacuum or wipe over your pieces every few weeks, more often in summer.
• Never cover it in plastic. Plastic traps moisture. If you are storing a piece, use a breathable cotton sheet.

Love rattan? It loves a little care

With good airflow and a quick wipe-over now and then, natural rattan lasts for decades. Each of our pieces is handwoven by artisans in Indonesia and built to be lived with. Have a browse of our rattan furniture collection, from Carol's Rattan Coffee Table to the Sean Side Table and our Daisy's Day Bed.

Got a question about caring for your piece? Get in touch and we'll help.