As a container having direct contact with milk, it was subject to special magical protection. The Bacs often put so-called duse, which is a splinter from a yew tree to protect milk against spells that may harm its quality (cause milk to spoil, stink, etc.). The guilloche was washed by pouring water from the stream "into the stream" into it and then throwing a red-hot stone, which caused the water to boil and scalded the vessel. Sometimes, a few drops of holy water were added to the water used to wash the gutties. The gielets were kept in a hut and protected from the eyes of strangers.