How do I care for paper fibre rush seats on my dining room chairs?
Since these are made from the same paper fibre material that was used in a great deal of wicker furniture manufactured after 1904, the cleaning treatments are the same for both paper wicker and paper rush. Vacuum frequently, use a damp cloth to clean stubborn dirt, and a slightly wet toothbrush to get into tight corners. Do not hose down or immerse in water, but instead, use a warm wet cloth to wipe up spills as soon as they occur. Paper fibre rush seats are usually protected by coats of varnish or shellac, which helps to prevent damages with spills and also acts as a glue, keeping the strands together. Sometimes these seats to be refreshed by a new coat of varnish, which can be done about every five years or sooner, if necessary. Natural bulrush or natural hand-twisted cattail rush seats on the other hand, are usually treated with a boiled linseed oil and turpentine mixture after the weaving is completed, but before the seat dries out. Then sometimes, at least with more modern rush se
