How to Clean Wicker Baskets

I love organizing my home with wicker baskets. I use them to corral toys, as laundry baskets, as decorative bases for indoor plants, to organize used cleaning cloths, reusable napkins and more. The thing is, cleaning wicker baskets isn’t as straightforward as cleaning other materials.  Wicker attracts dust and dirt and collects any debris that falls from the contents of the basket into the wicker weave. If you have a wicker basket that is looking worse for wear, learn how to clean wicker baskets below. 

What is Wicker?

Before cleaning, it’s helpful to what exactly a wicker basket is made from! The word “wicker” refers to the weaving process, not the material (much like “percale” for bed sheets). The material most often used in a wicker weave is rattan, a tropical vine native to Southeast Asian regions.

Wicker is light, but sturdy and long lasting which is why it’s a popular choice for objects like baskets or outdoor furniture that’s moved around regularly.

How to Clean Wicker Baskets with a Microfiber Cloth

How to clean wicker baskets with microfiber

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Empty the wicker basket and dump any lingering debris into the trash.
  2. Start by dusting your wicker basket with a dry or lightly damp microfiber cloth.
  3. Mix a few drops of dish soap in a gallon of warm water.
  4. Moisten your cloth in the soapy water and continue to gently wipe down the wicker. A firm hand might rub away some of the wicker coloring. 
  5. Air dry completely, outdoors preferably, before using again.

How to Clean Wicker Baskets with a Vacuum

How to clean wicker baskets with a vacuum

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Empty the wicker basket and dump any lingering debris into the trash.
  2. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to vacuum inside the wicker basket until clean.
  3. Do a final wipe and dust with a lightly damp microfiber cloth.
  4. Allow the wicker to air dry completely before using again.

How to Clean Tough Stains on Wicker with Soapy Water

How to clean wicker baskets with soapy water

Materials:

  • Bucket, tub, sink, or other basin
  • Water
  • Dish soap

Instructions:

  • Depending on the size of your wicker basket, fill a bucket, sink, or bathtub with soapy water.
  • Only add about a tsp of dish soap per gallon of water.
  • Repeatedly dip and release your wicker from the soapy water to start loosening dirt and grime – never soak wicker underwater! 
  • Use a microfiber cloth to gently dry and wipe away grime and tougher stains.
  • Let your wicker basket dry in the sun completely before using again.

Keep in mind, this particular cleaning process can affect the color of your wicker. I recommend this process for hard working wicker baskets in your kitchen or perhaps for cleaning thrifted wicker baskets.

How to Recycle Worn Wicker Baskets

If you have a wicker basket that is beyond the point of saving with a deep clean, it might be time to retire it. But what’s the best way to recycle wicker? It isn’t entirely straight forward, but here are some tips to keep in mind.

Repurpose Wicker Baskets

If possible, before recycling your wicker basket it’s a good idea to consider ways in which you could repurpose it!

Recycle Wicker Baskets

Ok, your wicker basket is beyond rescue – let’s talk about how to properly recycle the materials.

  • Separate mixed materials – if your basket has plastic handles, a metal frame, or some other attached material, do your best to separate these from one another.
  • Recycle each material per your community guidelines. Most weekly recycling pickup programs will not accept wood or plant based materials, however your local dump or recycling center will likely have the ability to accept it. 
  • Natural materials like untreated wicker reeds can be composted in your backyard compost.
  • Contact your local recycling center for more detailed information and best practices!
Wicker baskets are fantastic for organizing items in your home, but they also require occasional cleaning. Learn how to clean wicker baskets using three simple methods.

#wickerbasket #cleanwickerbasket #cleaningtips

Similar Posts

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *