An elephant grass basket is a hand-woven basket made of elephant grass. The current Bolga baskets in Molly's Heart's assortment are woven in Bolgatanga in northern Ghana. You care for the basket with a dry or slightly damp cloth. If it loses its shape, you can dampen it lightly, gently shape it with your hands, and let it dry completely.
What is an elephant grass basket?
Elephant grass is the material for most current baskets in Molly's Heart's collection of Bolga baskets with handles. The grass is hand-woven, which you can see in the surface. The weaving is vibrant, and small differences in shape and measurements are a natural part of handmade craftsmanship. This gives a distinct and natural expression.
That is precisely one of the things I appreciate about these baskets. They are not pressed out of the same mold. Each weaver leaves their mark on the work, without the basket losing its practical function. The classic models have handles and can be used for shopping, knitting, or small items you want to be able to move around.
If you want to know the history and difference between basket types first, you can also read our guide on what Bolga baskets are.
How do you clean an elephant grass basket?
Always start gently. For ordinary dust, a dry cloth is often enough. If there's a stain or a little dirt on the basket, you can use a slightly damp cloth. This is the care we describe for the current Bolga baskets at Molly's Heart.
The basket should not be left wet afterwards. Let it dry completely before filling it or putting it back in its place. This is especially true if you have dampened a larger area. Gentle treatment is better than harsh scrubbing, as the weaving and the basket's shape must be preserved.
I also wouldn't start with strong cleaning agents. They are not included in our care instructions. If you are unsure about a specific stain, please contact us first. It's better to ask too many questions than to treat a natural material unnecessarily harshly.
How do you reshape the basket if it has become crooked?
An elephant grass basket can change shape during transport or use. This doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with it. On the current product pages, we recommend that you lightly dampen the basket with lukewarm water, gently shape it with your hands, and let it dry completely.
Take your time. Look at the basket from several sides as you shape it, and work a little at a time. The goal is not for a hand-woven basket to be mathematically uniform all around. The goal is for it to stand well and have a shape you are happy with.
You can advantageously shape the basket without contents. Once it is completely dry, it can again be used for whatever you chose it for. This simple ability to shape the basket is one of the reasons I think elephant grass is so well suited for everyday items.
What should you look for when choosing an elephant grass basket?
Start with the function. If the basket needs to be carried, a good handle is important. If it's going to be on display, color and size might play a bigger role in your choice. Our current selection includes both smaller and larger models, and measurements may vary slightly because the baskets are hand-woven.
Therefore, read the measurements of the specific item and measure the space where the basket will be placed. Also, choose with your eyes. Natural colors give a calm expression, while a distinct color can make the basket stand out more. There is no single correct choice.
You can see more shapes and expressions among our hand-woven baskets. For me, the most important thing is that the basket both suits your daily life and is allowed to show the craftsmanship it was created with. When function and expression match, the basket becomes a natural part of the home.
Thank you for reading along.
Kind regards,
Birgitte