Treating feathers

Hi All,

I have been given some beautiful feathers from a fellow with a wildlife sanctuary. I need to wash and treat them. I appreciate any hints, as I'd love to start to dye my own feathers!

Cheers
Bron

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Permalink Reply by Anna Hodgson November 18, 2012 at 8:14pm

Hi Bron, when I was given some natural feathers I washed them in ordinary hair shampoo and then conditioner! It worked really well as they were quite smelly to start.

I also dried them slowly on the cool setting of a hairdryer. Most feathers can be left to dry naturally but fluffy type feathers such as ostrich go 'crispy or with kinks in' if left to dry naturally, just like my hair ha ha

The same goes after dyeing feathers, quill types or biot can be left to dry naturally but an ostrich boa or some hackle feathers are best dried on a cool setting. Just experiment with 1 or 2 to begin with.

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Mergard November 19, 2012 at 7:25am

When using natural feathers be very careful especially with dirty ones as it is bird manure that is carrier of bird disease, sidicosis which leads to hospitalization. After handling them wash hands thoroughly. Check previous discussion about feathers splitting as the feathermite is a problem with natural feathers. All purchased feathers are irradiated to enter the country so do not have any problems but they are expensive.

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Permalink Reply by Carla S Fox November 20, 2012 at 4:10am

I was given some rooster feathers from a friend's rooster. I washed them in hot soapy bleach water, rinsed them and let them dry naturally. They came out just fine. I think they need to be disinfected with bleach or some other disinfectant.

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Permalink Reply by Bronnie G Millinery November 22, 2012 at 9:18pm

Thanks Carla

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Permalink Reply by Bronnie G Millinery November 22, 2012 at 9:21pm

These feather mites and disease are of concern, where is the best place to purchase feathers. I am so very often disappointed with my order and I never order seconds.

Thanks Elaine as always very helpful
Bron

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Permalink Reply by Bronnie G Millinery November 22, 2012 at 9:22pm

Thanks for all your tips on treating feathers, I have much to learn

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Permalink Reply by Margaret Gill November 22, 2012 at 7:25pm

Hi Bronwyn,

I have a feeling you cannot use natural feathers in commercial millinery without them being professionally treated.. due to the problems Elaine has mentioned.

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Permalink Reply by Bronnie G Millinery November 22, 2012 at 9:18pm

Hi Margaret,
Maybe that's the solution finding someone to commercially treat as I can get a lot of these feathers. I guess I want to dye my own as I am often disappointed at the quality that's out there. I like a challenge so worth some investigation.

Thanks

Bron

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Permalink Reply by Elsie Collins November 23, 2012 at 10:03am

I've read that storing them for several weeks, buried in a shoe box of pure Borax powder will kill mites and any other disease causing pathogens. Can anyone verify this?