Posts Tagged: white wicker basket

Basket Care / Repair — No Comments
30
Mar 10

How To Repair Your Wicker Basket

Repaired Basket

Having a collection of wicker items is great; you can display them anywhere in your home and they are very versatile as well. A wicker basket is especially useful to have around your home. It can be used as a laundry basket, a fruit basket, storing your stationary or your magazine collection, just to name a few. But what happens when your basket needs to be repaired? Repairing these baskets is easier than you think.

Wicker items are durable and will last for years if properly looked after. Whether you have a piece of furniture or a wicker basket, chances are they might need some minor repairs at some point. Wicker is a fiber made mainly from plant materials and sometimes plastic or twisted paper. It is weaved around a frame made out of aluminum, wood or plastic and the result is a light weight basket. To repair these baskets some weaving will be involved; you can buy a basket repair kit as well to make your job a little easier. To repair an area you will need to carefully select the matching material; sometimes it might not be available anymore, making your task a little more difficult. You will need a pair of side cutting pliers, a flat screwdriver and a soaking bucket. Soak the wicker overnight; you can also use warm water to speed up the process. This will soften the wicker, making sure it’s pliable. Cut out the damaged area that needs to be repaired. Carefully weave in the new pieces, using the screw driver to help part the wicker. When completed the newer piece might be slightly lighter than the rest; this can be corrected with a few coats of varnish.

If your wicker basket has been painted and you want to give it a fresh look again, you can easily do so. Use a liquid stripper to remove the old paint; no special liquid is necessary. The wicker will become somewhat soft when damp but will return to normal again as soon as it dries. Leave it to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Use a spray can to paint your basket; it allows you to reach all the corners to ensure you don’t miss a spot. You can apply a clear lacquer as well to give it a polished look. Repairing your basket might be a bit time consuming, but the end result will be well worth it.

Function / History — No Comments
30
Mar 10

The Complete History of the Wicker Basket

Basket weaving is one of the oldest art forms known to man and even in our modern era they are one of the most useful, versatile and decorative items to own. A wicker basket is a popular item; they can be made by hand and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have been around for centuries and weaving has become an art on its own. There are virtually unlimited ways of utilizing these baskets and they are a great addition to any home.

Wicker is a fiber that consists mainly of plant materials and sometimes twisted paper or plastic. Using a technique called ‘twining’ these fibers are weaved onto a solid frame made out of aluminum or wood to create a light weight basket. These baskets can be made into any shape or size and you can even use different colors to add some variety. Weaving these baskets is considered to be an art; but with some practice you will be able to create beautiful baskets. Caring for these baskets is fairly easy; you can use a damp cloth for any dirt and vacuum them to prevent dust from accumulating. Keep them away from damp conditions to prevent mold from settling in, making it hard to get rid of. A wicker basket can last for years when properly cared for, whether it is one of the many varieties of large or small wicker baskets. Wicker is also used to make all kinds of furniture and it looks great in any home. It can be used to make indoor and outdoor furniture and is considered cleaner since it won’t collect as much dust as normal materials used in other furniture.

The use of wicker to make furniture and baskets dates back as far as 3000 B.C. and it is believed that this started in the Egyptian era. The grasses along the Nile River were originally used and these items soon became very popular. It was introduced to America in the mid nineteenth century and since then quickly spread worldwide. As the demand for outdoor furniture grew throughout the centuries this became a popular item to own. Since then there have been an increase in the variety of wicker items made, including the wicker basket, which is a very popular item today because of its versatility and various sizes. Having any of these items in your home will provide added functionality and décor to any room; they also make great gifts for family or friends so it’s a must have for everyone.

Basket Care / Placement — No Comments
5
Mar 10

Properly Caring For Your Wicker Baskets

If you're a fan of wicker, you've probably spent a good amount of time searching for the perfect set of baskets to complement your home. So there are some basics things to be considered when caring for a wicker basket. First thing to pay attention to is where do you place your wicker basket? Make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and sun damage. The UV rays are damaging to your wicker just like they are to your skin, so keep them out of the sunlight.

It's a good idea to keep the functional uses for each basket the same all the time. For instance, if you have a basket in the kitchen that you use for your apples, oranges and bananas, only use it for fruit, vegetables or other food storage. Don't use it to store fruit sometimes and then rubber bands, twine, scissors or other utility items. Whatever the purpose of your basket, make sure you properly clean it and regularly. A cloth or duster works well. For more intense cleaning if there's been a spill, use a cotton cloth and a little bit of water. Never douse the basket with water and clean it, it will damage the wicker fibers in the long run. Another thing to water out for is placement of the baskets by extreme cooling or heating. Don't place them right by an air conditioning vent or a heating vent. The air blowing on the wicker will cause undue stress over the course of time.

If you live in a more wet or humid climate, you've got to watch out for mold. To prevent this a general dehumidifying of the room works well or general air conditioning. If you are going to hang your baskets, then be careful that you don't put too much weight in them relative to the strength of the handles or hanging apparatus. If handling the basket regularly around the house, then make sure to always fully support it with your hands on the bottom, so that the weaving doesn't break.

And last but not least, keep your baskets safe from any highly trafficked areas by moving them out of the way, especially from pets, small children, or rambunctious teens. So those are the basic of caring for a wicker basket, treat them well and you'll enjoy them for years to come!

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