How to Care for Our Wicker Baskets & Bags

Our Wicker Darling painted purses are eccentric wicker handbags, and can easily become collectors’ items, but you might be asking yourself, “How can I care for my wicker baskets?”

Well, we’ve got all the answers for you right here, so keep reading to find out more on how to keep your wicker bag in pristine shape.

Since our handbags are an exclusive product, you are going to want to keep them clean and in good condition! It’s true, all of our bags are handwoven and hand-painted, but they are still highly durable. If you take care of your wicker basket bag, you'll have your original art piece on hand for years to come.

Top tips on how to care for wicker baskets and bags

A common question we are asked is, “Can you even clean a wicker bag”?

Yes, you can!

We consider ourselves somewhat of experts when it comes to the best technique for looking after wicker bags, so feel free to bookmark these cleaning tips for a monthly wicker bag care regime to keep your collections in tip-top shape.

Spring cleaning

Since our original designs are functional wicker handbags or fabulous painted purse décor pieces, a spring clean is always encouraged!

You’ll soon notice, the intricately woven material used to create these original wicker handbags may have the ability to attract dust. So, what do you do now?

Here’s a simple solution - A vacuum!

Vacuuming both the interior and exterior of your Wicker Darling, with either the upholstery nozzle attached or a nylon pantyhose covering the suction.

This a fantastic way to keep your bag dust and grime free, but of course, always be careful around the leather and raffia trims on the bag.

Your spring cleaning can be complete when using the vacuum on the inside of your wicker handbag.

These linings are tacked in, so no fear of the lining coming out. Be sure to do this regularly if you’re using it often, or if it’s stored somewhere particularly dusty. Once a month will do the trick.

Since we're talking spring cleaning and spring always comes with showers, make sure you are also taking steps to protect your painted purse from the rain. For days such as these consider one of your non-wicker handbags to be your arm candy.

Remember, caring for your wicker basket will extend the life of the bag so it's always looking fabulously fresh!

Best ways to store your wicker basket

So you’ve decided to swap out your Lola the Llama for Pelican Bill as your daily go-to?

Let’s go over some ground rules for storing your wicker bags, shall we?

Tight or plastic coverings can be harmful to your wearable art when you are storing your wicker handbag.

These types of storage coverings can become a breeding environment for mold - which would be disastrous for your beloved wicker bag - believe us, we’ve seen some of the worst and we’ve got your back!

If you aren’t adorning them around your favorite space and you need to pack it away somewhere safe, please be sure to use our special pink Wicker Darling dust bags for storage.

This provides breathability and keeps your Lola (or other Wicker Darling fave) free from dust and debris.

It must be noted not to keep anything heavy near them, for the fear of a tumble. We wouldn’t want your wicker handbag to end up breaking the fall!

Wicker baskets are easy to care for due to the integrity and strong structure, but it’s just a matter of being mindful of certain elements.

Displaying your collection of wicker handbags

When investing in one of these beautiful works of art we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the chance to showcase your favorite wicker baskets.

So, here are a few tips to keep in mind when caring for your wicker baskets while on display -- and how to choose the perfect spot for them in your home.

Make sure your chosen display shrine is out of bright sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can cause the magnificent colors to fade and long term, the rattan material could perish.
You want to make sure the air is cool - humidity can cause the fibers to swell and distort and air that’s too dry could cause the fibers to become brittle.
Keeping your wicker basket away from pets would be advised. Apart from the risk of it becoming a new favorite chew toy, pet hairs can be a challenge to remove from the fibers. As adorable as it might be to have your pup find his new best friend in Frank, our wicker dachshund purse, we’d keep the new BFF’s apart -- just to be on the safe side.
We would also advise against hanging your bags. This places unwanted strain on the handles and could potentially result in loss of structure and damaged handles.

Saying no to wear and tear on those gorgeous leather straps give you more time to display your individuality, so, instead, place them firmly on their wicker feet.

How to care for your wicker basket part II: removing stains

Naturally, when you are wearing your iconic wicker painted purse you may place it on hard surfaces and this can cause some staining. This can be a usual area of concern for most, but the first thing to do in a situation like this is to remain calm.

We’ve got you covered on how to treat any stains that come in contact with your precious wicker handbag.

Before you begin to treat the stain, vacuum your wicker painted purse to rid it of any dust. This may in turn stain the wicker when wet.

If you’re struggling with some stubborn dry spots, a dry toothbrush or paintbrush will sort it out. Be gentle, and run the brush along the direction of the weaves.

Next up, grab some warm water and make a soap mixture. Either two drops of dish soap or baby shampoo. Dip your cotton rag or an old cotton T-Shirt into the soap mixture and wring it out.

Your cloth should just be damp to the touch, our Wicker friends are not fans of moisture at all - so, if your rag is too wet, the wicker will absorb the moisture and this will cause an even bigger stain. No, thank you!

Gently wipe down the stained areas to care for your wicker bag or basket with the damp rag. No scrubbing!

After a few wipes, rinse your rag with cold water, give the cloth another massive wringing before blotting the stained area again.

If you’re attempting to clean a painted purse, such as Percy Peacock, be wary of the color. We recommend to use your wrung out rag, and gently rub the underside, somewhere inconspicuous, to test the color run.

Once you’ve removed the spilled drink stain from Sunday’s mimosa’s, be sure to let the bag dry away from any heat. Instead, opt for placing your wicker handbag in a well-ventilated area to dry for 12 hours.

How to remove oil and grease stains from wicker bags

Accidents happen. So when it comes to oil or grease stains on your wicker bag, you’re going to want to act fast.

Use the same stain-removing technique, but this time, dilute a grease remover such as dish soap in your warm water. You can also use a toothbrush in these cases.

Just remember to dab the wet bristles off before gently using them on your bag. Follow with the same drying instructions for optimal wicker bag care!

Caring for your wicker bag hardware

As much as we’ve covered the outer areas of your Wicker Darlings, caring for the the hardware on your bag is just as important.

After all, with no straps, how will you strut your stuff with Marcus the Sharkus as your go-to shopping purse? Let’s dive in.

Genuine leather straps

Invest in a genuine leather soap. You can use this on your straps once or twice a year to keep it looking and functioning its best!

Apply the soap in circular motions and wipe off with a slightly damp cloth.

Hardware clasps

An often neglected part of any handbag is caring for the hardware. Should you notice any dulling, dipping a cloth in white vinegar and water solution and rubbing the surface of the clasps should have it looking bright as rain.

Other tips for the best wicker basket care

Remember to always put your makeup, or hand sanitizer, in a waterproof bag so that it does not dirty or spill onto the lining of the bag or the bag itself.
Do not put a heavy weight in your Wicker Darling handbag, the material will not be able to hold heavy objects and the bag may change its shape. The added weight of hanging up your wicker bag could cause the rattan material to deteriorate. We wouldn’t want to risk that!
If you can, use a protective spray such as Scotchguard on your wicker basket to take care of and to ward off any potential future stains or spills.
Protect your piece from odors by filling a small container with baking soda, place it in the bag for a day to absorb any unwanted smells.
Be aware of where you place your painted purse - we wouldn’t want any wet floor surfaces to dampen the mood.
Always handle your wicker basket or bag with care! Be mindful of weather conditions- no rain please and prolonged sun exposure on the windowsill will fade those gorgeous colors.

Repairing a wicker bag

If you notice some damage, know that it is indeed possible to repair a wicker handbag.

If you’re dealing with a broken strap or inner lining, simply get your needle and thread out to hand sew the tear back together. Or, if those nails have been freshly manicured, take it to a professional leather repair/shoe repair, as they'll have the heavy-duty needles and glues necessary for repairs!

As always with natural materials and frequent use, we say to make sure you handle your dear Wicker Darling wicker baskets with care so you can flaunt your fabulous style for years to come!

Now that you’ve been armed with all the information you need for taking care of your wicker basket, we can’t wait to see you enjoy your Wicker Darling original!

Browse our products for your next Wicker Darling wicker handbag and be sure to head over to our shop page.

Finally, if you’re not already apart of our amazing Wicker Darling family, we’d love for you to join us. Make sure you’re always in the loop on new arrivals by signing up for our mailing list and checking out our fabulously fun Instagram.

We can’t wait to see you strut your stuff!