Summary: Keep natural fibre pieces dry, wipe them with a dry cloth, and never machine wash or soak them. Use a slightly damp cloth only where the product listing allows it. Store them in a dry, ventilated place away from long direct sunlight. Store hats flat or on a stand, fill bags with tissue paper, and wear straw slippers indoors only.
The basic rules
Straw, cattail, water hyacinth, raffia and paper rope are plant materials woven by hand. The same few rules apply to almost every piece:
- Wipe it gently with a dry cloth. Use a slightly damp cloth only where the product page says so.
- Do not machine wash or soak it.
- Keep it dry and in a ventilated place.
- Keep it away from long exposure to direct sunlight.
- Check the product page for care notes specific to that item.
When a piece is new
Natural fibre can show slight fraying or a few loose fibres, especially when the piece is new. This is normal for handwoven plant material. Some pieces have a light earthy scent when first unpacked, which fades in a dry, ventilated place.
Some slippers are vacuum packed for shipping and return to shape after unpacking. A bag can arrive a little flat; reshape it by hand and fill it with tissue paper.
Straw slippers
Our straw slippers are made for indoor use as house shoes, spa slippers and sauna slippers. Keep them away from water and rain. Wipe them with a dry cloth, and if they get damp, let them dry in a ventilated place before you wear them again.
Sun hats and visors
Store straw hats flat or on a hat stand so they keep their shape. The wide brim visors are non-foldable and the fedora should not be folded, so do not fold or crush the brim. The paper straw visor is the exception: it folds for travel, but avoid pulling it hard or rubbing it on rough surfaces.
Wipe raffia, reed and treasured grass gently with a dry cloth, or a slightly damp cloth where the listing allows it. Do not submerge a straw hat in water. Keep it dry between uses.
Bags
Keep straw, grass and water hyacinth bags dry and wipe them with a soft dry cloth. The lined water hyacinth crossbody bag can be spot cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. Fill an empty bag with tissue paper when you store it so it keeps its shape.
The nylon rope crossbody bag is different. It can be hand washed gently. Avoid harsh chemicals and long exposure to direct sunlight.
Wall baskets and wall art
Dust wall baskets, turtles, fish and other wall pieces with a dry cloth or a soft brush. Keep them away from water, steam and long periods of moisture. Some listings also ask you to keep the piece out of direct sunlight; follow that note. Hang them indoors; one paper rope turtle on an iron frame is listed for indoor or covered outdoor areas only.
Placemats
Placemats need cleaning more often than wall decor. For water hyacinth and cattail placemats, wipe them gently with a damp cloth and let them air dry in a ventilated place. Do not soak them, and do not leave them wet on the table.
Pillows
Wipe the cover of a straw pillow with a dry cloth; the water hyacinth pillow can also take a slightly damp cloth. Air the pillow regularly in a dry, shaded spot, and keep it away from water and damp rooms. Pillows filled with buckwheat hulls need extra care: always store them dry.
Earrings and headbands
Keep rattan earrings and raffia headbands dry and away from perfume and other chemicals. Store earrings in a pouch so the weave holds its shape. Wipe a raffia headband gently with a soft cloth.
If a piece gets wet
Wipe off the water with a dry cloth and let the piece dry in a ventilated place. Do not put it back in a closed drawer or bag until it is fully dry.
If you have a question about a specific item, see our FAQ or write to us before you clean it.