I think it's a great idea since it's been kept in a glove box and was probably clean when it was put in. If you want to clean it, you can lay it flat in a piece of silk or nylon. Do not undo the braid. No need to handle it a lot as long as it is still in a braid. Gently pat with a little unscented shampoo then rinse with a wet cloth and squeeze the cloth over the hair. Let it dry completely and then unwrap the hair. You can secure it with a bow/ribbon on both ends if you want. It'll be fine. As long as it's clean no problem. My neighbor down the street has her first and second braids and she cleans them. Her first braid is from her first cut at 15 years old and tied in a bow. Her second is from her hair growing another 10 years and tied in a bow. She has them in pretty glass dishes with lids.