Rattan is a climbing palm. The poles are cut to length, steamed at around 100 °C for twenty to thirty minutes, then bent in a jig and left to set — which is what gives a rattan piece its springy, structural feel next to a softer grass weave. It is a natural material, so colour, shape and size vary between pieces.

Everyday care

• Do not wash it under water. Like any lignocellulosic material, rattan swells as it takes up moisture and loses strength while it is damp.
• Dust it with a dry brush or a vacuum on low suction. The weave traps dust in its gaps.
• For marks, dilute a neutral detergent in water, wring a soft cloth out well, wipe the area, then dry it in the shade somewhere with moving air.
• Do not use bleach, thinner or benzine. They strip the colour and leave the cane brittle.

Where to keep it

• Out of direct sunlight. UV light breaks down the lignin at the surface of any plant fibre, and the piece yellows and darkens as it does — quickly at first, then more slowly. A spot away from the window keeps the colour even.
• Away from hot, humid places, which cause warping and mould, and away from open flame.
• Use a liner before putting anything hot or wet inside.
• On waxed floors and cushion flooring, put something underneath. Wax and moisture at the contact point can transfer colour to the surface below.

Small fragments of cane may work loose over time. Trim them with scissors rather than pulling on them.