Submitted by bshuval on December 29, 2007 - 9:39pm
Hi all,
Today I bought a couple of wicker baskets at a thrift store. I want to use them as brotforms/bannetons (one came lined with linen). My question is how to clean them. I don't know "where they've been", and would rather clean them first. Is washing them in warm sudsy water a good idea? Can I remove the linen off one of the baskets and place in the washing machine?
Thanks,
Boaz
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Glad you asked
I am glad you asked this question. I see these baskets all the time, sometimes with a liner, sometimes without. I am always asking myself if they are appropriate for proofing bread. Some of the proofing baskets that I have looked at online the liner seems to be REALLY thick but the in store basket liners are really THIN so I don't know.
~TableBread
http://tablebread.blogspot.com
Washing Baskets
Hi,
I used to handmake baskets and yes, you can wash them in water with a mild soap--like dish soap and rinse them thoroughly. Then let them air dry. I would be aware of any coatings on the basket materials--stains, lacquers, varnish--not good in bread.
As for the basket cloth lining--depends. If it is cotton fabric, you can wash and dry it. If it is linen, you can wash it and them let it air dry. Or, you can purchase a bit of 100% linen fabric in a neutral color from a fabric store and wash it before using. Or you could just line it with one of your clean tea towels dusted with flour or wheat bran or such.
I hope this helps. Lera in Michigan
I wonder how you could tell
I wonder how you could tell what coatings (if any) are on the basket...surely the sales person at Michaels' or Home Depot wouldn't have a clue...
Baskets
Baskets that are a color other than natural--light brown, shiney, very smooth probably have some sort of coating. Look at the baskets that are sold in this site--they are in their natural state without color or coatings.
Lera in Michigan