Hawaiian Patio Furniture

Hawaiian patio furniture may be made of rattan and wicker, resin, vinyl or other kinds of wood. This style of furniture includes all of the normal items you expect in outdoor furniture such as dining tables chairs, chaise lounges and garden benches. The biggest difference in Hawaiian patio furniture is that there are also the short beach chairs and beach table in addition to the normal variety of outdoor patio style furniture.

With the beautiful climate of the islands, except during the rainy season, much of the native resident�s entertaining is done outdoors where the cool ocean breeze provides a natural cooling effect eliminating the need for air-conditioning. Because of this they developed a special high bar table and matching height chairs with a broad base so they are stable in the sandy soil or even on the beach. There are also regular bar stools that compliment the Hawaiian tiki bar that is commonly used in the islands.

The most common material used in hawaiian patio furniture is wicker and rattan. Wicker products are woven from either a natural reed or from man-made strips of synthetic materials. Rattan is a hardwood that comes from palm trees that grow as a long vine and is shaped into the frames of the furniture.

Suggestions for maintaining wicker and rattan furniture:

Natural Wicker

1. Indoor - dust often and keep away from direct heat.

2. Outdoors - spray with the hose and scrub lightly with a soft brush and let it dry in the shade. To add a lustrous shine, lemon-oil may be applied to a clean and dry surface.

Painted Wicker

1. Paint - inspect for chips or cracks in the paint. Use touch up paint to repair small nicks and scratches, but after several years use any premium quality latex or kyrlon type paint to give the furniture a fresh new look.

2. Covering - Do not use plastic to cover this type of furniture. It is recommended that you use a cotton sheet or breathable material because these will not trap moisture. Moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow in the cracks and crevasses of the weaving.

Resin or Vinyl Wicker

1. Hose often and wash with a mild detergent or commercial cleaner as needed. Use a soft brush or sponge and either air dry or dry with a soft towel.

2. Some manufacturers recommend a spray-on auto wax to protect the surface