Care Guidelines for Your Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets are a lovely addition to your home decor and may make a strong statement about your personal style. Follow these simple how to care for wicker basket tips and ideas to enjoy your collection for many years and increase the functional life of your baskets

Baskets should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources

Heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves, gas stoves, heat registers, radiators, and/or sunshine should be kept away from all baskets. The sun’s high heat and UV rays can cause fading and bleaching, as well as premature drying and brittleness of the fibres.

Wicker willow storage baskets should be kept away from grease

Keep wicker baskets away from the kitchen stove, wood stove, or fireplace, where they may become clogged with soot, smoke, and grease, making them difficult to clean and maintain.

Baskets should be used for their intended use

Keep your food storage baskets separate from your potpourri, perfume, oils, and soaps storage baskets. Separate the baskets used for food from those used for other things. If you’re using a basket to contain food, make sure you line it with a plastic liner to protect it. Alternatively, use a cloth napkin or paper towel to absorb any grease or oil from the food.

Keep your basket collection rotating by circulating it

Move your baskets throughout your room and house so that each one experiences a distinct level of humidity and heat, different levels of sunlight or artificial light, and varied levels of exposure to potentially decaying materials.

Baskets should be handled with care

Handle your wicker baskets with clean hands that are free of any lotion, oil, or grease. Body oils, as well as extreme humidity, can harm the baskets by generating stains, mould, and mildew. Pick up baskets by their bottoms, especially if they have goods inside, and handle them with latex or cotton gloves.

Keeping your baskets clean

The best approach to remove dust from the basket is using a feather duster or a clean, dry natural bristle paintbrush. Alternatively, use a nylon stocking over the end of your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment. To clean the basket thoroughly, dampen a white 100 percent cotton cloth (cotton baby diapers work great) with clean cold water and wipe gently; then air dry entirely.

Soaking a basket in water or giving it a good “shower” can cause fibre swelling, which can lead to colour fading and patina loss (a valuable asset for antique collectors).

Maintain a steady humidity and temperature level

We’re all aware of how temperature and humidity can change in our houses, but it can be disastrous for your basketry collection. For hot, humid situations, using air conditioners and dehumidifiersreduces mould and mildew growth as well as insect activity. Mold and mildew are extremely difficult to remove and can drastically degrade the condition, quality, and worth of your basket.

Properly hung or mount baskets

Use wall hangers that are appropriate for the weight of the basket and its embellishments if your basket is going to be mounted on the wall. Incorrect mounting devices may cause your basket to be distorted in an unfavourable way.

Baskets should be kept out of harm’s way

Protecting your baskets by displaying them in glass or acrylic cases or domes is a wonderful idea, and it also keeps dust at bay.

Packing and shipping your baskets

To begin, make certain that the boxes and wrapping materials are clean and free of rats and insects. The best and safest method of packing wicker willow storage baskets is to double box them. Make sure the basket is entirely dry, and that the stain is dry and fume-free if it has been stained. Always put the name, address, and phone number of the basketmaker or owner, as well as the receiver, on a 3 x 5 card to prevent against damage while delivery.

Before sealing each box, place the card inside the basket and another card on top of the packing materials to ensure proper delivery. Attach the address information to the exterior top of the box by typing it on a packing label or printing it legibly in block letters. Baskets should be packed in boxes inside boxes for maximum stability and safety.

To begin, wrap the basket in multiple layers of archival tissue paper and bubble wrap before placing it into a plastic bag. After that, place the wrapped basket in the centre of a new cardboard shipping box, allowing at least four inches on all sides for bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts (prepackaged in individual plastic bags), newspaper, or other packing materials.

Fill a second box with packing materials that are at least four inches bigger in each direction than this one. Make sure there are no other scribbling, advertisements, or bar codes on the box but your mailing label, and that it is readable, to ensure simplicity of delivery. Do not use a liquor box with writing on the outside, as it will be rejected immediately by the post office. In case you’re looking for the best baskets,have a look at these wicker willow storage baskets.