How to Care for Bamboo Furniture

Bamboo furniture can last a long time if it is receives the proper care. Many antique pieces of bamboo furniture look as good today as they did on the showroom floor. Aside from regular cleaning, bamboo furniture requires little maintenance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rags
• Vacuum
• Ammonia
• Dish soap
• Water
• Sponge
• Toothbrush
• Hair dryer
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Paste wax
• Linseed oil

1. Dust your bamboo furniture with a dry dust cloth or rag. You can also use the dust tool on your vacuum cleaner. Do this regularly for routine care of your bamboo furniture.

2. Keep bamboo furniture out of direct sunlight. If possible, don't leave it outside for extended periods of time.

3. Put a couple drops of dish soap into a half gallon of water. Mix in two or three teaspoons ammonia. Dip a sponge into this cleaning mixture and wring it out well.

4. Wipe down the bamboo furniture with the soapy water and ammonia mixture. Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach spots.

5. Rinse with clean water. Make sure to remove all the soapy mixture. Dry the furniture by setting it outside to air dry or by using a hair dryer on it.

6. Smooth any rough areas on the bamboo furniture with fine grit sandpaper. Once you have the area smooth, use paste wax to seal the bamboo.

7. Add shine to your bamboo furniture with linseed oil. Rub the oil into the bamboo furniture, and then carefully wipe off the excess.

8. Take care not to sit on the bamboo furniture any time it's wet. Sitting on wet bamboo can cause it to stretch and sag. So when the furniture is damp from cleaning, put the furniture so no one accidentally sits on it.