What is the best way to clean a cane seat?
Cleaning old cane seats is very easy, but you may want to do the “thumbnail test” before cleaning. Press your nail across two cane pieces. If it breaks through, get the seat replaced. The average seat life is approximately 20-30 years, depending on use. If the seat is just dusty and dirty, wait for a nice day (sunny, breezy, low humidity) and take the chair outside. Wash the seat off with a mild detergent and water. A soft brush may be used to get between the strands of cane. Allow to dry outside. Water is good for cane seats and we recommend that customers give them a “drink” at least once a year by soaking the underside and allowing to dry outside. If your seat is stained with more than dust, use a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol to clean the cane. Be careful not to get this on the wood as it may affect the stain. The seat will appear dull after cleaning with alcohol. Follow with a wash as above. Allow to dry throughly. Mix one part White Shellac to one part denatured alcohol and b
