How to Care for...
Baskets
Introduction
Baskets are made from a very wide range of materials. The chief characteristic of these materials is that they can be woven, and thus they need to be tough and flexible when fresh. Traditionally, roots, bark and reeds have been used. Because these are natural products, they tend to degrade over time. Old baskets tend to be brittle and inflexible, and it is very easy to damage them by incautious handling.
Cleaning
Begin cleaning by dusting with a soft paint brush directed towards a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Take great care with brittle materials, or any parts that show signs of fraying, weakness or damage. Most materials used for making baskets are more resistant to water than wood is. This means that damp methods can sometimes be used for cleaning. Both inside and outside surfaces can be gently rubbed with a cotton swab moistened in water to which has been added a few drops of detergent. Check in some hidden spot that the damp swab does not remove anything except dirt. Sometimes the deposits in baskets can give clues about their previous uses, so ensure that there is no useful information, such as traces of berries or fish scales, contained in the dirt before removing it.
Handling and Storage
Always be very careful when handling baskets. They can sometimes be deceptively robust looking, holding their shape very well, but having none of their earlier flexibility. Cradle the basket from below with both hands, and avoid using handles or loops that were originally designed for carrying.
Baskets should never be stacked one on top of the other because their weight, even though not great, will cause distortion. They should be displayed resting on their bases, not their edges, because the latter method will cause distortion over time. Wherever possible, the inside of the basket should be padded out with crumpled acid-free tissue paper to prevent possible collapse. Baskets should be stored in closed containers because it is very easy for their surfaces to accumulate dust. P
