I AM NOT A EXPERT ON HOW TO CARE FOR BASKETS BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE THE WAY TO CARE FOR AND PRESERVE THIS KIND OF SHIELD. I HAVE A OLD HANDMADE HAT FROM HAWAII THAT I LIGHTLY COAT WITH MINERAL OIL ON A RAG FROM TIME TO TIME. IT KEEPS THE WOVEN MATERIAL FROM DRYING OUT AND BECOMING BRITTLE AND RESTORES THE COLOR OF THE MATERIALS USED. A HAT CAN BE WORN FOR A LIFETIME BARRING ACCIDENTS IF PROPERLY MAINTAINED. IF YOU DO THIS IT WILL DARKEN THE COLOR AND REMOVE DIRT SO IF YOU LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS NOW YOU MAY NOT WANT TO USE THE MINERAL OIL. IT IS BEST TO USE THE OIL SPAREINGLY AND NOT TO SOAK THE OBJECT, IN HARD TO GET SPOTS IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO USE A BRUSH AND THEN TO BLOT THE EXCESS OFF WITH A CLOTH. DOING THIS SEVERAL TIMES LEAVING ONLY A LIGHT COAT IS THE BEST WAY, THE OIL WILL PENETRATE BEST IF IT IS IN A WARM OR HOT AREA BUT IT IS BEST NOT TO PUT IT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AS THAT WILL BLEACH IT OUT. NICE LOOKING SHIELD GOOD LUCK
|