Good evening!

I am a student and museum volunteer at the University
of Iowa and am currently working on a collection of
Philippine basketry that has been stored improperly
(in unsealed boxes) for decades.  I have discovered
that the majority of the baskets are covered with a
film of coal dust from when the building was heated by
coal many years ago.  I am writing to ask some advice
on how to best clean these objects.

In researching how to best care for basketry objects
(I'm also using this topic for a class paper), I have
read about several methods of cleaning, including
brushing the baskets with a small painter's brush,
vacuuming the objects, and using compressed air to
remove dust.  I am hesitant to use a brush because of
the types of materials used in the baskets and the
potential damage of "scrubbing" abrasions.  As a
general policy we do vacuum every object before
returning it to storage, and I have had some success
with this method.  The layer of coal dust was removed
but the baskets continue to have a grayish hue.
Regarding the use of compressed air, the literature
advises caution with using this method on physically
damaged baskets.  Unfortunately, many of our baskets
have sustained some degree of physical damage while in
storage.  Are there other methods of cleaning basketry
that might be more successful without causing further
damage?

I have searched the list archives and am attempting to
track down a few sources listed there.  However, I
would also appreciate any suggestions that you might
have as we are hoping to use some of the baskets in an
exhibit next year. Thank you!

Sonya Housholder
University of Iowa student and
Volunteer, Museum of Natural History


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