How to Stain a Basket

You can stain your completed basket or a basket that has gotten dirty and discolored.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Brush Stain

1. Choose a water-based stain or concentrated natural dyes to stain your basket.
2. Cover work area with a drop cloth or newspapers.
3. Test the stain color on a piece of scrap reed.
4. Use a foam paintbrush and dab on stain. Cover only a small area at a time.
5. Wipe with a scrap piece of cloth or paper towel if you need to lighten or even out the color.
6. Hang basket where air can circulate around it so that it will dry completely.

Spray Stain

7. Use a spray stain specially formulated for basket weaving.
8. Cover a large work area with a drop cloth or newspapers. If possible, spray your basket outside.
9. Test spray on a scrap piece of reed.
10. Spray basket starting at the top, moving in an even, side-to-side motion.
11. Wipe areas that are too dark with a rag or paper towel.
12. Let basket dry completely.