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Advice for cleaning old Bamboo? |
croe67
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 05, 2003
Posts: 1048
From: Land of Cheese & Beer
|  Posted: 2007-05-26 08:16 am Permalink
I bought a great vintage Bamboo shelf, but it's covered with many years of dust & grime. So, I am wondering if anyone here has any advice on what I should use to clean-off the bult-up gunk. I am guessing a few others who maybe have bought vintage bars or shelves may have had similar experiences. What did you try that worked??
Here are a couple of shots - on one of them you get a feel for the dirt. Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Martiki-bird
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Posts: 135
From: Blue Lory Lounge, NJ
| Posted: 2007-05-26 09:18 am Permalink
Oh wow! I saw this one up for auction (eBay probably) and thought it was an excellent piece. Congratulations on your new addition.
These are the basic steps that I follow when cleaning bamboo/rattan/cane:
The first step to clean it is to vacuum it thoroughly using the crevice and upholstery brush attachments. Then use a medium bristle brush like a vegetable brush (or soft paintbrush with bristles cut to about 1") to work at the dirt in the crevices and vacuum again. A firm tooth brush can be used for places you can't reach with a larger tool. For tiny crevices, I've used an orangewood stick (for ladies' nails) or a dowel sharpened in a pencil sharpener.
After the loose dirt & debris are removed, you can then attack the remaining dirt with a solution of mild detergent and water (a couple of drops in a quart of water) and a brush or a cloth. Be sure to tilt the piece so that the water runs off it, and go easy on the water. I've found that an e-cheapo spray bottle filled with the detergent solution works well. ... I think that the piece has a hardwood base, so be careful of letting water collect there.
Thoroughly rinse the soap off and let the piece dry in the shade, preferably when a warm wind is blowing.
Those are the basics, so if I haven't answered a specific question you have, fire away!
Martiki-bird (Gina)
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Polynesiac
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 2077
From: San Pedro, CA
| Posted: 2007-05-26 11:11 am Permalink
Two threads that may be helpful:
My Rattan Set Score!
Rattan Refinishing Question
good luck!
_________________
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croe67
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 05, 2003
Posts: 1048
From: Land of Cheese & Beer
| Posted: 2007-05-26 11:43 am Permalink
Thanks so much to you both!
I had searched on clean & bamboo before posting this - but not Rattan, so thanks for letting me know about those threads!!
Martiki-bird - yes, it was on EBay - it was a pick-up only that was not too far from me, so we went down to get it a few weeks ago & I'm now tackling getting it ready for the bar  Thanks so much for sharing your methods - the small brushes make sense, as there is some that is just caked on....ick....
It'll probably be a while before I get it done, but I'll post a picture once it's all cleaned-up.
Mahalo!
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