At least once a year, you should clean, condition, and repair your wicker patio furniture to ensure your favorite pieces are ready to be used this summer—and for many more seasons to come. Use these easy tips and steps from Cathryn Peters, creator of The Wicker Woman, to keep all of your porch pieces in mint condition.

Keep it dry.

Despite its popularity for outdoor settings, natural wicker (woven from materials such as rattan, willow, cane and seagrass) doesn't do well with rain; too much moisture can weaken fibers, loosen joints, and lift paint. Keep these pieces under a covered porch—just not pushed up close to a wall, where humidity can get trapped.

Clean it regularly.

Grime builds up quickly in all those nooks and crannies! To clean a natural-wicker piece, remove dust with the brush attachment on your vacuum, then wipe the piece down with a damp rag. Tackle stubborn spills, dirt, or tree sap by scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush dipped in gentle dish soap and warm water or Murphy Oil Soap.

Mind the sun.

Even with regular care, outdoor furniture can look worn over time. Sunlight causes fading and cracking in natural wicker, so rotate chairs and tables occasionally to even out exposure. You can also dab a piece with lemon oil every few months to condition its fibers.