Caring for Cane Furniture: A Practical Guide

Cane furniture is remarkably durable when it's looked after properly. Neglect it, and it deteriorates faster than almost any other furniture type. The good news is that the maintenance required is simple.

Keep it away from direct heat

Cane dries out and becomes brittle when exposed to direct heat sources — radiators, wood burners, or strong summer sun through a south-facing window. Dry cane cracks more easily and loses its flexibility. Keep cane furniture in reasonably consistent, moderate conditions wherever possible.

Humidity is your friend

Cane is a natural material that contains moisture. In a very dry environment (particularly in centrally heated homes in winter), it can dry out significantly. Occasional light wiping with a slightly damp cloth helps maintain the moisture content without soaking the material.

Clean gently

Use a soft brush or vacuum attachment to remove dust from the weave regularly — the open structure of cane catches dust easily. For deeper cleaning, a damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap will lift surface dirt. Dry thoroughly afterwards.

Don't stand on it

This sounds obvious, but cane seats are not designed for concentrated point loads. Standing on a caned seat, or placing heavy single-point weights on it, can snap individual strands. Distributed weight from sitting is fine; concentrated pressure is not.

When restoration is needed

Even well-maintained cane will eventually need re-caning — usually after many years of regular use. When that time comes, we're here. Prices from £30.