An Evaluation of Nd:YAG Laser-Cleaned Basketry in Comparison with Commonly Used Methods

While in storage and on exhibition, baskets can accumulate dirt that is aesthetically undesirable and even harmful. The nature of the woven structure, as well as the porosity of organic materials, causes difficulty in the removal of accumulated dirt. This chapter presents results from a study of basket-cleaning methods focusing on how Nd:YAG laser-cleaned samples are compare with those cleaned by more commonly used methods. Cleaning tests were performed on stem, bark, and root sample materials in order to examine the effects of cleaning on a variety of plant materials that are commonly encountered with basketry. Photography, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to document and compare the effectiveness and drawbacks of these methods. The results indicated that plant materials with protective cuticle layers can be effectively cleaned using lowtech methods and such fibers would not greatly benefit from laser cleaning. Materials without protective cuticle layers are more sensitive to mechanical cleaning and could possibly be more safely cleaned using lasers.