A handwoven raffia bag is not high-maintenance, but it does ask to be treated like the natural material it is. Raffia is a plant fibre, not a synthetic one — which means water, sun, and pressure affect it differently than they affect leather or canvas. A little care goes a long way toward keeping it beautiful for years.
Keep it dry
Raffia does not like rain, and it does not like humidity. If your bag gets wet, do not wring it or leave it near heat — let it air dry somewhere shaded and well-ventilated. Direct sun and radiators can make the fibres brittle over time, so both are worth avoiding even when the bag is dry.
Clean it gently
Dust and light dirt brush off easily with a soft, dry brush. For anything more stubborn, use a barely damp cloth with a touch of mild soap, working in the direction of the weave rather than against it. Never soak a raffia bag — the fibres are strong, but they are not built for submersion.
Store it properly
When it is not being carried, store your bag somewhere cool and dry, stuffed lightly with tissue paper to hold its shape, and ideally inside a breathable dust bag rather than plastic. Avoid folding or crushing it under other things — raffia holds a shape well, but only if you let it.
Cared for this way, a handwoven raffia bag does not just survive years of wear — it softens and improves with them. Explore the current pieces in the FELUS collection.