Caring for Cane and Teak Furniture Indoors

What our furniture is made of

Most RS Living furniture is teak, or teak with woven cane panels. A few pieces are sheesham, and two coffee tables are plywood. Product names do not always describe the material, so check the product page: the Walnut Block Coffee Table is teak, the Walnut Wave Coffee Table is plywood, and the Teak Slatted Folding Chair is sheesham.

This guide is about teak and cane. Sheesham can be cared for in much the same way as teak; plywood wants dry dusting and no standing water.

Teak, week to week

Dust with a soft dry cloth, following the grain. For marks, use a cloth wrung out in warm water with a drop of mild soap, then dry the surface straight away. Do not leave water standing on any wood.

Use coasters and mats. Heat and moisture from cups and dishes leave rings that are much easier to prevent than remove.

Indoor teak does not need oiling as routine. If you want to refresh a finish, test any product on a hidden area first and follow its instructions.

Cane, week to week

Vacuum cane with a soft brush attachment to lift dust out of the weave, or use a dry paintbrush in the gaps. Wipe the surface now and then with a cloth that is barely damp, and let it dry naturally.

Cane is a natural material that likes a little humidity and dislikes extremes. In very dry, heated rooms it can become brittle; in standing water it can soften and stain. Keep it out of both.

Position matters more than products

Keep furniture out of strong direct sunlight, which fades wood and dries cane. Keep it a little away from radiators, heaters and air-conditioning vents blowing straight onto it.

Put felt pads under feet on hard floors, and on a rug, move pieces a few centimetres now and then so the pile is not crushed in one spot. See matching a rug to your upholstery and choosing a coffee table for your rug for placement.

Sagging cane seats

A woven cane seat can relax over time with use. Spread weight evenly by sitting in the middle rather than on the front edge, and do not stand on cane seats. If a seat has slackened, a furniture restorer who works with cane can advise; do not soak it yourself.

In a humid climate

In a monsoon or a humid summer, wood moves slightly and cane softens. Let air circulate, wipe away any condensation, and avoid pushing pieces flush against an outside wall. See rug care in the monsoon for the whole room.

Furniture is made to order and ships free within India and to the countries we deliver it to. It is not yet available for delivery to the UK or EU.

A seasonal checklist

When the heating or air conditioning goes on: check that no piece sits in the direct stream of warm or cold air. Move it slightly if it does. Very dry air is the main cause of cane becoming brittle.

In the humid season: let air circulate around furniture, wipe away condensation, and check cane panels for softness. Do not cover furniture in plastic, which traps moisture.

Twice a year: dust the whole piece thoroughly including the underside, check that joints and screws are firm, and look at the feet and felt pads.

Dealing with marks on teak

Water rings: wipe dry at once. A faint ring that remains may fade on its own as the wood dries out; give it time before trying anything stronger.

Sticky marks: a cloth wrung out in warm water with a drop of mild soap, then a clean damp cloth, then dry.

Scratches: light surface scratches are part of how wood ages. For deeper damage, a furniture restorer can advise on the finish your piece has.

Always test any cleaner on a hidden area first and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Dealing with marks on cane

Dust in the weave: a soft dry brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum on low.

Spills: blot straight away with a dry cloth, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and let it dry naturally. Do not soak cane.

Discoloured patches: these can come from water left standing or from sun. Prevention is easier than cure, so keep drinks on coasters and pieces out of strong direct sun.

Common mistakes

Dragging furniture. Lift pieces when you move them, especially cane-backed chairs, to avoid stressing the joints and scratching floors.

Sitting on the arms or edge of cane seats. Weight concentrated on the edge is what makes a cane seat slacken.

Using polish sprays on cane. They build up in the weave and attract dust.

Placing a cane bench or daybed directly against a radiator. Leave a clear gap.

Living with natural materials

Teak and cane are natural, so no two pieces are exactly alike, and both change slightly with the seasons. Small changes in tone over time and a little movement in the wood are normal. Some product images are digitally rendered, so grain and colour on the piece you receive will vary from the picture.