Natural rattan and wicker storage baskets are an ideal solution for home organization for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they’re incredibly functional, sometimes lasting decades without major defects thanks to the natural resilience of rattan.
Secondly, wicker baskets are aesthetically appealing, with no likelihood of going out of style anytime soon thanks to their timeless handcrafted look. In other words, they look amazing with just about every home aesthetic, blending seamlessly with minimalist and modern spaces just as well as more traditional home decor.
They’re made from durable plant fibers that require just a small amount of care to maintain their beauty and functionality. A lack of proper care can cause rattan to become brittle and even start unraveling over time, so it’s worth understanding how to clean and care for wicker baskets.
Read on as we explain exactly how to keep your wicker baskets looking fresh and vibrant for many years to come.
How to Clean Your Wicker Baskets Safely
When you use wicker baskets for storage, they can get dusty pretty quickly, depending on where they’re stored. Luckily, they’re not hard to clean, and here’s how to do it.
The following instructions are intended for sturdy rattan wicker baskets, like The Basket Lady offers. Wicker baskets made from less durable fibers, like seagrass, water hyacinth or willow, may need to be cleaned more gently.
You should begin by removing any loose dust with a soft, medium-sized brush or a microfiber cloth.
You can also mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap and dampen a sponge, wiping the basket in the direction of the weave. For smaller baskets, including our wicker serving baskets, you can easily wash them in a sink, again with warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Excessive water exposure is the main cause of long-term damage to wicker baskets, so be sure to allow the basket to air dry completely when you’re done cleaning.
If there are any areas on the baskets that are especially grimy and hard to clean, gently using a soft toothbrush can get between the tightly woven material.
Long-Term Maintenance to Keep Baskets Looking New
Regularly caring for your wicker baskets can help them last significantly longer, sometimes extending their lifespan by several years. Regularly dusting baskets is an easy way to maintain them, especially when they’re kept in high-traffic areas like entryways.
You should also avoid placing baskets on surfaces that are regularly damp, as moisture is one of the main causes of deterioration in rattan. When they do get wet, dry wicker baskets out as quickly as possible (note that the risk of dampness can be a particular concern for wicker laundry baskets or any baskets used in the laundry room).
Preventing Damage: Moisture, Sunlight, and Storage Tips
As previously mentioned, excessive moisture is by far the most common cause of damage to wicker, so keep baskets as dry as possible.
If you plan to use your baskets in damp areas or outside, consider applying a new coat of polyurethane to the wicker baskets after each season of use.
Direct sunlight can also fade and excessively dry out the rattan fibers, which can make them brittle and lead to breakage over time. You should also avoid stacking heavy items on top of them, especially for extended periods, as this can distort the shape of the baskets over time.
When To Replace Wicker Baskets
No matter how perfectly you maintain your wicker baskets, they’ll eventually need to be replaced. It’s up to you exactly when you opt to do that, but here’s our general advice: if the damage is more significant than a few loose strands of rattan or a frayed edge that needs to be glued back into place (especially if it’s an issue that affects the basket’s structural integrity), you’ll likely want to replace the entire basket.
Where To Find the Highest-Quality Baskets
The Basket Lady offers a range of the best wicker baskets—from large baskets like wicker trunks and hampers, to small wicker baskets like trays and napkin holders—sourced from artisans in Indonesia. They hand-weave their baskets with incredible care and skill, using the same techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation over centuries.
If you’re not exactly sure where to begin, you can search for baskets according to their type, room, or size, which makes it easy to find the kind of baskets you’re looking for.
