How To Preserve Bamboo Furniture

By  Lanh Ma

Things Needed

  • Dust cloth

  • Mild dishwashing soap

  • Water

  • Bucket

  • Rags

  • Furniture oil

  • Sandpaper

  • Paste wax

  • Outdoor sealer

  • Ammonia

  • Sponge

Tip

Regular dusting is the most important step to use when keeping your bamboo furniture in good shape. Dirt on bamboo will get into the cracks and force those cracks to grow, so take care of any dirt you see as soon as possible.

For indoor furniture, consider applying coat of colorless lacquer to help it preserve its color.

Warning

Never sit on bamboo furniture when it is wet. It will be more likely to bend, break or even shatter.

Full length view of washing up liquid bottleGeorge Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Bamboo furniture is a lovely addition to any house, and whether you put it on the porch or in your bedroom, you need to know how to take care of it. Furniture made of bamboo can last for years while still looking great, but a great deal of its longevity relies on proper care. Take some time and consider how taking care of your bamboo furniture is going to make it shine.

Indoor Bamboo Furniture Preservation

Step 1

Dust your bamboo furniture with a dust cloth. Do this regularly and make sure that you keep dust from settling into the joins of the armrests and the legs.

Step 2

Fill a bucket with warm water.

Step 3

Add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap to the water. A soap that is too harsh can bleach your bamboo or discolor it, so test the soap on a discreet area of the bamboo first.

Step 4

Soak a rag in the soapy water.

Step 5

Wash the bamboo furniture with the soapy rag.

Step 6

Rinse the furniture with a clean wet rag

Step 7

Allow the bamboo furniture to air dry.

Step 8

Apply furniture oil to your bamboo. Linseed oil can also be used, but ideally you should use furniture oil that is specifically suited for bamboo. This will protect your bamboo by ensuring that it will flex rather than crack and it will also give your bamboo a beautiful shine.

Outdoor Bamboo Furniture Preservation

Step 1

Clean the outdoor bamboo furniture using the same measures used for indoor bamboo furniture.

Step 2

Look for any small cracks that might be affecting the structural integrity of the bamboo. Cracks may be found along the barrel of the stalk or along the joins.

Step 3

Sand down the cracks with a very fine grit sandpaper.

Step 4

Rub any cracks down with paste wax. This will restore the original color and shine to the cracked area, which will likely be very dry.

Step 5

Apply an outdoor sealer to your bamboo furniture. An outdoor sealer can be found at any home improvement store and it will keep your outdoor bamboo furniture looking great.

Cleaning Dirty Bamboo Furniture

Step 1

Wipe off any loose dirt or debris using a dust cloth.

Step 2

Pour half a gallon of water into a bucket.

Step 3

Add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap to the bucket of water.

Step 4

Add 2 tsp. of ammonia to the water.

Step 5

Use a sponge soaked in the soapy solution to wash off the dirt and grime.

Step 6

Rinse the bamboo furniture with cool water.

References

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