Recycled Sail Storage Baskets: Uses and Care

A storage basket is something you use every day without thinking about it. It might as well be beautiful, sturdy and have a story to tell. Our recycled boat sail baskets were designed for exactly that: hard-wearing storage, born of the sea, that finds its place in every room of the house. Here is how to use them, and how to look after them so they last.

Baskets that carry the sailors' alphabet

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, November, Tango, Zulu: our baskets are named after the international phonetic alphabet, the one used on the radio to spell without mistakes, at sea and elsewhere. A nod to the sailing world, where their material comes from.

They all share the same features:

• Size: 53 cm high and 38 cm in diameter;
• Material: recycled sail and acrylic fabric;
• Handles: rope;
• Price: €120.

What sets them apart is the sail. Colours, numbers, seams: each basket is cut from a different sail. The Panier Zulu, pictured above, has a large orange number 2 on a white cloth, a khaki band around the top and orange rope handles. The Panier Charlie or the Panier Tango will each have a character of their own.

Why sailcloth makes a good basket

A sail is designed to withstand wind, salt and abrasion. Turned into a basket, it keeps those qualities: the basket stands up to damp and to weight, does not lose its shape the first time you fill it, and ages with character. It is an everyday object that combines practicality with lasting marine style.

Six uses around the home

At 53 cm high, the basket offers a generous volume. A few ideas:

1. Laundry basket in the bathroom or utility room: sailcloth does not mind a damp atmosphere.
2. Toy box in a child’s room: the rope handles make it easy to move, and the cloth takes the knocks.
3. Throw basket in the living room, next to the sofa: a marine touch without the cliché.
4. Hallway storage for scarves, hats or beach bags, depending on the season.
5. Towel basket in a bathroom or by a pool.
6. Plant pot cover for a large plant, as long as you slip a watertight saucer under the pot.

An OÈST basket can also become the statement piece of a room. To pair it with the rest of your decor, read our article on chic seaside decor: a sand and storm grey palette, blond wood and raw materials.

Caring for your recycled sail basket

Good news: a sail basket needs very little care. Here are the right habits, taken from our tutorials.

Day to day

• Shake it regularly to remove dust, sand and crumbs.
• Dust the cloth with a microfibre cloth if needed.

Deep clean, once or twice a year

1. Prepare lukewarm water (30 °C at most) with a mild, pH-neutral soap, such as liquid Marseille soap.
2. Apply with a sponge or microfibre cloth, using gentle circular movements.
3. Rinse with clean water, without rubbing.
4. Dry flat, in the open air and in the shade.

The rope handles

The handles take on a natural patina over time. To freshen them up, a gentle dry brushing with a stiff natural-fibre or soft nylon brush, in the direction of the fibres. For a stain: lukewarm water and Marseille soap, dab without rubbing, then rinse and leave to dry flat in the shade.

What to avoid

• bleach, which fades colours;
• fabric softener, which clogs the rope fibres;
• the tumble dryer, which distorts and stiffens.

Storing your basket out of season

If you put it away for several months, clean it and let it dry completely first, to avoid any mould. Choose a cotton cover rather than a plastic bag, and a dry place out of direct light.

You will find every detail in our care tutorial for sail objects and our marine rope care tutorial. All our practical guides are gathered in the Tutorials & care category.

Choosing your basket

The whole collection is in our baskets section. Baskets are shipped within 2 working days of order confirmation, and delivery is free in France from €199. A handle that needs attention one day, or a question about a sail? The atelier offers a repair service for its products: contact us.