Sonya, you may consider trying a product known as a Soot sponge, made of
natural vulcanized rubber.  They are often sold in hardware stores under the
brand name Gonzo, and also marketed as a pet-hair remover.  These sponges
can be cut into small cubes with a scissors and gently pulled over the
surface of the basket.  A sponge costs around $5, and the surface of the
sponge can be cut back and discarded as it becomes soiled.  Try this method
in a small area of a sturdy basket and see if you are finding a reduction in
the sooty deposit.  Thank you for NOT considering a wet treatment at this
juncture!  Remember that soot is greasy by nature...if the soot sponges do
not help, let me know or talk to another conservator for further advice.
Good luck!

Ellen Carrlee

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Sonya Housholder [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:42 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Cleaning basketry (student question)
>
>
>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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