Steel and textiles: How to keep the steel from rusting?

If you've ever left a needle or pin, even stainless steel ones, in a piece of fabric for a prolonged period of time, you have probably discovered that it caught rust even if it was stored in a dry place. This happens because all natural fibres attract and hold humidity from the air.

I have a couple of large trays with a frame of thick steel wire, filled in with wicker (don't know the material, but doesn't look like willow) which is brittle beyond repair, so I want to replace it with cloth. A couple of years ago I had already removed some rust with steel wool, then brushed everything twice with olive oil, as much as the old wicker would absorb. It looks a lot better, but I can only use it for carrying very lightweight stuff, and still small ends keep breaking off. And the rust has come back.

My question: Do you know a better, natural way for keeping steel free from rust? If possible, I don't want to use acrylic or other primer. Waxing the steel and using waxed cloth might be an option, but would it be sufficient to protect the steel?

Thank you for your input.

Edit: I wanted to post this in the "Finishes" forum, but for whatever reason it came up here. Does that matter ? Can I, or someone change it?

From my knowledge, (boiled) linseed oil is as good as gets with natural materials. (Make sure it does not contain salts as driers.)

The dye in the fabric probably contains metal salts as well for binding to the fibers. Iron + Salts + Water never ends well. (Aluminium also has a problem with salts.)

Thank you, Sebastian, I will try that. In addition, I could soak (or paint) the cloth as well with linseed oil. Very interesting point about the metals in dyes/mordants!