Care & Use Tips

Take a look at these brief, but helpful tips! Learn how to best care for your basket and discover some of the fun and innovative ways you can use it. Have additional questions or need a recommendation on which basket to purchase? Head on over to our contact us page and get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!

Pack Basket Preservation Tips

All Pack Baskets of Maine products are built to last. By using quality materials and a time tested production process, the structure of our baskets stands apart from any others. However, there are some insider tricks to getting even more life out of your basket!

If you would like to apply a preservative, we recommend using something that would still allow the basket to breathe. Thompson’s Water Seal, linseed oil, or an oil-based stain will allow the wood grain of your basket to breathe and flex. By using the proper product, you can avoid the perils of brittle wood that will splinter rather than bend.

We strongly advise against using any kind of varnish, shellac, or polyuerethane. These products do not only seal the wood; instead they actually adhere the individual weaves together. This prevents the natural movement of the basket and can make your basket very stiff and cause cracking when used.

Ways To Prevent Pack Basket Wear & Tear

Our pack baskets are made to withstand the adventures and travels of a real Maine Guide. Hiking, fishing, and hunting trips are no struggle for our baskets! Even if you are using your basket for strictly decorative purposes, you’ll notice that your basket will still weather naturally. This process produces a beautiful slightly golden color over time.

If you are one of our more adventurous users, be careful not to leave your basket out in the elements for any length of time. It can withstand a good walk in the rain, but leaving a basket wet will weaken the wood over time. We recommend drying your basket out after use. If you are using a liner, take it our periodically and let it (and the basket itself) air out thoroughly.

By following these basic tips, your basket will offer you years of proper use and beauty. Enjoy!

Pack Basket Uses & Purpose

From the wild rambling woods of Maine to the center of an elegantly set dinner table, a pack basket from Pack Baskets of Maine is perfect for any setting. While you can certainly stick to the traditional uses and grab your basket for a trip through woods and streams, there are also a number of nontraditional uses for your pack basket.

The uses of our baskets are more diverse than you might think! For example our baskets are perfect for the any of the following:

  • A decorative way to hold blankets or throws
  • A place to put keys and mail
  • A centerpiece or base for a flower arrangment
  • To organize gardening or fishing gear
  • Transporting a picnic to your location of choice
  • A nontraditional ‘beach bag’

These are just a few suggestions, but we know our customers are a creative and active bunch. Are you using your basket in another way? We’d love to hear about it! Contact us and tell us how you are enjoying your basket!