Feahter cleaning. Please help
Posted by Mursa ArtDragon on Fri, 2006-09-15 19:22
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 "I'm not stalking you, Im just always where you are" Location: New Mexico
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Ok so Im going to use a bunch of crow feathers for an avian costume. I find them and also order them. but I want to be safe. Does any one know how I can clean them so they dont have anything that can be harmfull |
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This is a toughie. Crows are not known for being the most fastidious creatures. They tend to get into smelly things.
You said that you order them. Perhaps you should inquire of the person who supplies them.
Be careful, though. Crow feathers are not regulated; raven feathers, however, are illegal to own, so you must be certain of your species.
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permalinkRaven feathers illegal? They have a law for that!?!?!?! Where in american history did I miss the switch to communism LOL. Seems like they have a law for everything these days. But like 2 says "when did making something illegal stop people from doing it"
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Ravens are a protected species, as are all hawks and all owls. Owning any part of these creatures is a Federal offense. The law is designed to prevent a market for parts of these animals, to avoid the sort of decimation seen of ostriches when their plumes were in fashion, or of elephants when ivory was all the rage.
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permalinkIsn't it a shame how a few Aholes make life crappy for the rest of us.
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permalinkLocation: New Jersey
Where did you purchase the feathers?
First off, I've worked with feathers before and the most you'll have to do to clean them is run your fingers over them with water. NO SOAP! Soap will disgure the feathers and cause you a mighty headache later.
On other things when working with feathers...
To straighten your feathers, iron them on an ironing board and with an iron set on medium. Be careful! You can easily burn your figures and I recommend weaing thin work gloves (protection and dexterity). Crimp the middle and the bottom of the feathers quill and than iron to save you re-doing the ironing. Watching for the actual feather parts, because it will leave a whitish burn mark.
Cut the hackles (That fluffy part at the bottom of the feather) to make it look more uniform. If you desire, you may leave them on for look.
To repair your feathers (And boy will they need repair after one outing!) either put them over steam and shape them back in place or take a heavy hand lotion and stroke the feathers together.
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That was probably more than you needed, but, eh.
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permalinkLocation: NewCastle Delaware
We collect the feathers from our exotic birds, and wash them with a little Dawn dish detergent, enough to make a bucket of water soapy ...its safe to use on feathers and trust me..when your getting feathers out of the bottem of a Macaw cage, you need to wash them! Lay them flat to dry. And they should be fine ^_^ But, thats just what me an mah boss does..the person afore me had alot of good advice too ^_^
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permalinkI am a taxidermist and I've never heard of not using soap. I use fairy liquid (dish washing soap) mixed in cold water to wash my skins with the feathers attached. If you don't use some kind of soap, the oil and grease on dirty feathers will spoil them. They can be immesed in soapy water and gently rubbed whilst inspecting them to ensure the dirt is removed. A quick blow dry with the use of a hair dryer will fluff them/straighten them up again. I'm not sure about using an iron as usually feathers will lock themselves when dried in the natural direction.
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permalinkLocation: Anaheim, CA
ArtDragon... I like that handle.
I will Gladly trade you cleaning tips for a lead on where to buy the feathers because I have been all over the internet and been unable to find Crow or Raven Feathers anywhere??? (which ARE Legal in Europe) European Ravens are as common as American Crows are. I need to buy a fairly large quantity of feathers to make a Druid's Cloak for My RenFaire Costume and Crow feathers will suffice in place of Raven feathers. I have not calculated the exact quantity but, I am guessing that I will need about 200 or more feathers to sew into the cloak.
CLEANING:
Bird Feathers and Feather Shafts are made of the same base element as Rhino Horn, Animal Hooves and Human Nails and Hair: Keratin. All of the Feathers that I have ever collected, I have washed thoroughly with the same shampoo that I use for my own Hair. Any shampoo will work and WILL NOT HARM the Feathers in any way. Be sure to rinse completely as you would your own hair and lay them on a towel to dry. Very Simple. In addition, if You have curled feathers and need to flatten them, You can Iron them but, Do Not place the iron directly onto the feather... use a handkerchief between the iron and the feather to protect it. DO NOT Iron the Quills.
RavenWizard.
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Your advice comes a little late. The original question was posted a year and a half ago, if you note the date stamp.
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permalinkLocation: Sioux City, IA
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Maybe a bit late for the original poster, but it is absolutely wonderful advice for another costumer who uses real feathers.
Thanks!
~Tyrrlin
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