Question from Nell
Hi Debra, I like the furniture I keep seeing: Resin covered wicker. There is one chair I’d like to use indoors. Is the resin considered safe? Is it likely to have a smell for a while? Would appreciate any help on this. Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
See if you can find out what the resin is. Some resins on wicker is polyethylene, which would be safe, but I’m not sure all resins on wicker are polyethylene. See if you can find out and write back and I will tell you the safety of the resin.
Hi Debra,
I LOVE your site and am so grateful for everything you’ve done. Most of the wicker furniture I see that is synthetic is a combination of polyethylene and polypropylene. Would you still consider this safe? I like that it would be easy to dust/clean and to make PBDE free cushions for while on a budget.
Polyethylene and polypropylene are among the least toxic plastics that exist. Unless you are sensitive to petroleum-based materials, these should be fine.
Any thoughts on these chairs from Ikea: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50058376/
The wicker/rattan is coated in “clear acrylic lacquer”. I’m interested because I found someone selling 2 used.
Thanks!
Karen
I think these are fine. IKEA uses “clear acrylic laquer” a lot and I’ve had no problem with it.
But do give it the “sniff test” and don’t buy the chairs if they have an odor.
The older the chairs are, the more the finish will have outgassed.
I am interested in a resin wicker furniture set. It is called Solano Sectional wicker patio set. The store that sells it (Cost Plus World Market) doesn’t know what type of resin that’s in this product. I am wondering is it safe for my family and in particular for someone who has Lupus?
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
I can’t answer that without more information.