This woven mat fell into my hands at the thrift store. I liked the decorative pattern and thought it would be a good model to reproduce. It was old and brittle, some pieces were broken and others were misshapen. Baskets like being soaked in water, for about 30 minutes, once a year. While they are wet, their original shape can be restored. This bath cleans them of accumulated dust and dirt. It moistens the natural fibers and helps them remain supple and prevent breakage. After a bath and some caring, the repaired mat almost looks like new, and is happy to protect the surface of the kitchen table.
