Sonya: With the sponge, you may be driving the soot into the cracks of the
basket and
creating more problems.  I've seen a few museums and professional basket
people
(including Martha Stewart) recommending a fine mist spray and brush to clean
their baskets.  I would tend to agree with this view, since baskets need
moisture and
the dryness can destroy a basket some would say more than soot and dust.
Baskets were made with the idea of holding  food (berries, salmon or liquid)
and the weaved containers soaked into the natural materials the oils and
moisture from the foods, which assisted in keeping the basket soft and
flexible.

Indeed, I would agree to contact a professional curator or conservator such
as at Maryhill Museum near Goldendale, WA or the Native American museum at
the university in Vancouver, B.C.

John Martinson

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ellen Carrlee" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:13 AM
Subject: Re: Cleaning basketry (student question)


> 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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