How to clean a feather
How to Clean Bird Feathers
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Written by Clinton Atkins / Fact Checked by George Dukes
Gathering feathers for crafts is a fun hobby, but it can be worrisome. Birds carry parasites, bugs, microbes, and dirt that stick to their pretty feathers. So, proper feather cleaning is a must.
For anyone who is fond of picking up feathers, be sure to clean feathers found outside. We are here today to show you how to clean bird feathers. Rest assured, it is a simple process that you can easily follow with all the needed tools already in your home. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Step-by-step to Clean Bird Feathers
- What to prepare
- Step 1: Eliminate mites and parasites
- Step 2: Sanitize the feathers
- Step 3: Cleanse and dry
- Step 4: Fluff to restore its looks
- Step 5: Preserve and store
- Conclusion
Feathers make a good ornament or jewelry. So, kids sneakily pick them up from the ground all the time. But they can get sick doing this. That is why we emphasize the importance of clean decorative feathers.
Here is a guide you can follow to make sure the feathers you have gathered are clean and safe for crafting. We included several alternatives for each step to ensure that you get an effortless process.
What to prepare- Toothbrush
- Ziplock bag
- Airtight container and mothballs
- Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide
- Dish/hand soap
- Hair dryer
- Electric kettle or garment steamer
- Citronella or cedar oil
Step 1: Eliminate mites and parasites
Parasites like lice and mites thrive in bird feathers. You should remove them before taking any of the feathers you have picked up outside. A few of these parasites are enough to infest your homes. There are three ways to do this:
- Toothbrush
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush off insects and dust from the feathers.
This method is time-consuming; thus, it is better if you only have a few feathers.
- Mothballs
Place several mothballs containing paradichlorobenzene in an airtight container with the feathers. Store them outside for 24 hours in a dry place without sunlight.
- Freezing
Place your feathers in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer. Set the temperature to at least -18°C; the colder the better. Leave the feathers in the freezer for 48 hours, take them out for a day, then freeze them again for two days.
Step 2: Sanitize the feathers
After getting rid of the mites and parasites, the next step is to eliminate the bacteria. We have three ways to sterilize feathers.
- Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide
Mix a 1:1 ratio of isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Soak the feathers in the mixture for 30 minutes. Don’t add water, it lessens the effectiveness of the formula.
Bleach is a no-no, it makes the feathers brittle.
Dilute dishwashing in water into a container. Softly swish the feathers in the water to sanitize them. Make sure to reach all the parts. If you have many feathers, do it in batches.
- Boiling water
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Put the feathers in the water and boil it for a few minutes. With a soft cloth, gently remove the loosened gunk. Then, place the feathers flat on a paper towel.
Step 3: Cleanse and dry
After sanitizing, wash feathers with hand soap diluted in water. Swish the feathers around in the mixture. Then, rinse them thrice in clean water. If you used dishwashing soap to sanitize them, skip this step and proceed to dry the feathers.
Drying the feathers quickly after washing them is very important. Otherwise, you risk mold or fungal infestations developing. The best way to do this is to soak up the water and use a hairdryer to dry it.
Step 4: Fluff to restore its looks
To restore feathers to their perfect shape, fluff them! Use the steam from an electric kettle to preen the feathers one by one using your fingers.
A garment steamer is more suitable if you are working with many feathers.
Step 5: Preserve and store
There are several ways to preserve feathers from a dead bird. Make sure you follow the first four steps. Then, proceed to rub cedar or citronella oil on your palms and massage the feathers.
Covering them with boric acid is another way to keep them intact and protect the feathers from insect infestation. Next, keep the feathers in a tightly sealed container. Place it in a safe and dry place away from any sunlight.
- Note: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prevents any individual from collecting feathers from raptors and migratory birds. Therefore, it is risky to pick up a feather you find. Only do this if you know which bird species it belongs to. Adhere to this law and stay on the safe side by only gathering feathers from domesticated birds.
Knowing how to clean bird feathers the right way is a must for every feather collector and craft artist.
Learning to clean wild bird feathers will keep you safe from bacteria and viruses that feathers carry. Also, be mindful of the laws in your state about feather collecting.
All the procedures we present are straightforward. We hope it is easy for you to follow. If you have any questions or have a better way of cleaning feathers based on your experience, let us know in the comments!
Furthermore, you also can refer more to other topics of taking care birds:
- Ways to clean a bird bath with vinegar and a bird cage with the bird inside.
- Tips to keep mosquitoes out of bird bath.
Clinton Atkins
Author
Hi, I'm Clinton. Rocky and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
How to Clean Feathers » How To Clean Stuff.
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Katrina asked: How do I clean and sanitize feathers found in the duck coop? I raise Pearl, White and Purple Guinea’s, Pekin Ducks and Sebastopol geese. They often drop beautiful feathers that get soiled by mud and/or droppings. I want to remove the visible soil and stains from the white feathers and sanitize them for use in my Native American crafts. I also find tons of turkey feathers on my property.
Feathers
are delicate and require special care when cleaning. There are two types of feathers, contour and down. Contour feathers are the beautiful wing feathers that are collected for art projects and crafts. They are firm in structure, but delicate as they can easily lose their beautiful form to water and improper handling. The down feathers are soft and do not have the sturdiness of contour feathers. They are often used as filler for pillows, comforters, etc.
Proper cleaning is crucial for keeping feathers looking good and keeping their form. Here are several methods for various types and colors of feathers. For down feathers, use the section “Cleaning Down Feathers” only. Any of the other methods can be used for decorative or craft feathers.
Cleaning Down Feathers
You Will Need:
- Nikwax down wash or a similar detergent made specifically for down
- Water
- A bucket
- A piece of screen
Steps to Clean the Down:
- Down feathers are often very small and can easily get lost down a drain, so it is best (for both the feathers and the drain) not to use a sink for washing. Instead, a bucket can be used with a piece of screen for covering the top when pouring out the water.
- Put the feathers in the bucket.
- Fill the bucket with enough water to cover the feathers.
- Add as much down detergent as needed for the size of bucket used. Follow the instructions on the label of your selected product for measurements.
- Swirl your hand in the bucket to move the feathers around in the water for a couple minutes.
- Cover the bucket with the piece of screen (rigid screen material can simply be held in place or a porch screen material can be tied over the top with string or a rubber band if preferred.)
- Empty the water.
- Refill the bucket with clean water.
- Swirl your hand in the bucket for a couple minutes to rinse the feathers.
- Cover the bucket with the screen again and pour out the water.
- Allow the feathers to air dry. It is best to spread them out over a baking tray if possible. If you have a piece of screen that can fit over the tray, then it can be set out in the sun to aid in cleaning and the hasten drying time.
“Dry” Cleaning Method
You Will Need:
- Corn meal
- White flour
- Powdered borax
- Bag
Steps to Clean the Feathers:
- Fill a bag with ½ cup flour, one cup corn meal, and three tablespoons borax.
- Place the feathers in the bag.
- Close the bag and shake the feathers around in the powdery mix to fully cover them.
- Let the powder sit on the feathers for about an hour. The powder will absrb the dirt and oils from the feathers.
- Remove the feathers from the bag and shake them to remove any excess powder.
- This method can be repeated as many times as needed to fully clean the feathers.
Gasoline Method
You Will Need:
- Gasoline
- White flour (for white feathers)
- Bucket
Steps to Clean the Feathers:
- Fill a small bowl or bucket with gasoline.
- Dip the feathers into the gasoline.
- Rub the feathers in the direction of the tip.
- Shake off excess gasoline and dry.
- If the feathers are white, make a paste out of gasoline and flour.
- Rub the paste over the feather from the bottom to the tip.
- Continue rubbing until the feather is clean.
- Rinse in plain gasoline.
- Shake to remove any excess gasoline.
- Dry completely.
Soap and Water Method
Though it is not recommended to wash feathers in soap and water, some have had success. Here is a method that can be used if the feathers can tolerate it.
You Will Need:
- Woolite
- Water
- Bucket or tub
- Blow dryer
Steps to Clean the Feathers:
- Fill the bucket or tub with warm water.
- Add a small amount of Woolite and agitate the water to mix.
- Swish the feathers around in the water. Do NOT scrub the feathers as this will damage them.
- Rinse by swishing in clean water.
- Reshape the feathers.
- Dry with a blow dryer on a low setting.
General Cleaning/Dusting
You Will Need:
- Soft brush (ex: paint brush)
Steps to Clean the Feathers:
- Cleaning feathers that have been removed from a bird for any length of time is a tricky action.
- It is best to avoid washing the feathers regularly, but rather, remove the dust and dirt in a gentle way.
- Rest the feather on your hand for support as you brush away the dust that has accumulated with a soft brush.
- Follow the natural direction of the plumage as you carefully brush the dirt away.
- Keep supporting the back of the feather and be careful not to apply too much pressure to the quill or it may break.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Gasoline is flammable and should only be used outdoors.
- One of our site users (Thanks!) suggests using lighter fluid or alcohol instead of gasoline as they work in a similar way but have less of a smell.
- Always protect your hands with rubber gloves and use protective eyewear when necessary.
- Birds secrete oils that keep the feathers waterproof. Once removed from the bird, these oils quickly deteriorate and make the feather more vulnerable to damage from water and cleaning methods.
- Insects are problem for feathers as they like to eat through them. Check your decorative feathers regularly to ensure they are not being eaten by any unwanted guests.
- Store feathers in a pH neutral box for safe keeping.
- If insects do invade your feathers, shake them in some Sevin dust. Allow them to sit for a few hours, then carefully brush away the dust with a soft brush using the methods above.
- One of our site users (Thanks!) wrote in to say that they clean feathers often using Dawn dish liquid.
Cleaning Guides, Other Pets, Animals and Pests
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About the Author
Susan
I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business.
These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.
How to care for your nibs - Study Calligraphy - Calligraphy and lettering tools and materials
Many people who are new to calligraphy often ask us how to properly care for metal nibs and how to prepare new nibs for writing. We have written some tips to help keep your tools in good condition for as long as possible.
I. New metal nibs
New nibs just bought are usually a little greasy to the touch - they are coated with a special factory oil so that they do not rust or deteriorate while they are in the store in boxes and waiting for someone to pick them up will buy. Until the oil is washed off them, the ink will not stick to the pen and will roll off it. There are several ways to prepare a new pen for writing:
- Wipe the pen with alcohol;
- Clean the pen with toothpaste;
- Hold the feather over the fire of a match for a few seconds and then wipe it with a soot cloth.
In this way, you will wipe off the oil from the metal surface of the pen, open up the pores, and the ink will stick better and flow off the pen.
II. While writing
While writing, dust particles and pieces of paper lint periodically stick to the pen, the ink begins to dry out on it, and the ink holder becomes clogged. We advise you to put a small glass of water and napkins on the table so that you can wash the pen from time to time. Ink will flow better from a clean pen and it will be much more pleasant for them to write.
We also recommend that you do not touch the nib much with your hands before writing, as it will leave a small layer of fat from your fingers, and, as with new nibs, it will be less likely to drip ink from it.
III. After writing
After you have finished writing, remove the pen from its holder, rinse it thoroughly and dry it dry. If the pen is very dirty and sits tightly in the holder, grab it with a napkin. Do not be lazy and wash and dry the feathers separately from their holders so that they do not start to rust in them.
An unused toothbrush is perfect for cleaning feathers.
If you write with a flat pen, please note that the Hiro Tape ink holder is very easy to remove - it is better to remove it and wash it separately so that it does not accidentally fly off and float down the drain. The flat nibs of the Speedball and Brause can be cleaned under the ink holder with a toothbrush.
IV. Storage
A small box, matchbox or feather container is best for storage. Do not keep nibs together with other tools - they can be bent or dull.
We also do not recommend storing wet nibs in holders as they can rust and damage the holder.
If you are storing your pens in a metal or glass container, it is best to line the bottom of the box with a paper towel. This will make your feathers softer and won't get blunt when you move the box.
V. Lifespan
If, over time, the nib began to strongly cling to the paper and drag pieces of fibers behind it, this means that it has become dull and it's time to change it for a new one.
But do not rush to throw out the old! Leave it in case you need to add decorative elements to your work with waterproof ink or acrylic. Some ink dries a lot inside the pen, is poorly washed and thus spoils it - an old unnecessary pen will be very useful here.
And our main advice is don't be afraid to experiment and try new things! All pens are very different: each has its own advantages and disadvantages, its own characteristics, they are suitable for different surfaces and different styles of writing, each one has its own special line.
How to Clean and Clean Your Fountain Pen
Fountain pens are like vintage cars today - they don't need to be used often, but they do need to be cared for properly. It doesn’t matter if your fountain pen is expensive or not, you need to clean any model regularly and correctly.
“Why clean a fountain pen?” you ask. Then, the principle of capillary operation is used in a fountain pen, and if it is not cleaned, the pen will begin to write poorly, scratch paper or ink will not flow uniformly.
It is worth cleaning the pen every 4-8 weeks if you write to it regularly, without waiting until it becomes clogged. If you are switching to a different type of ink, the pen should also be washed.
We have identified several types of fountain pen cleaning: basic, thorough, advanced - using special equipment. Let's consider each of them in detail.
Basic cleaning
1. Handle disassembly. Unscrew the pen and remove the pen. If your pen uses a cartridge, you can tape the exposed part while you clean the pen to keep the ink from drying out.
2. Flushing. Hold the pen under running water for a few seconds to wash off the first layer of ink. Use only cold water or water at room temperature, as hot water may warp some components.
3. Soaking. Immerse the pen in a glass of clean water for a few minutes. Change the water when it turns ink color. This process will take at least an hour.
Some waterproof and thick inks will take longer to wash off. Tap water is usually good for this purpose, but if you know that it has a high mineral content, then it is better to use distilled water.
4. Drying. After removing the pen from the water, let it dry for 12-24 hours. It is best to put it in a glass with a napkin at the bottom so that all the water is quickly absorbed into the paper.
5. Assembly. When the pen is dry, if necessary, insert the cartridge back into the pen and screw both parts.
Thorough cleaning
1. Do everything described in the first two steps of basic cleaning.
2. Place the exposed part of the converter or housing into a glass of water. Fill and empty the ink tank until it is empty.
3. Connect the body or converter to the pen and place it in a glass of water.
4. Use the converter or built-in filling system to draw water into the pen. Repeat until the ink is washed out.
5. Leave the pen in clean water to clean it completely.
6. Dry and reassemble the handle as described in the last step of basic cleaning.
Pen cleaning with syringe
You can use an ordinary syringe without a needle and an empty ink cartridge to effectively clean a fountain pen. Cut off the tip of the cartridge and attach it to the syringe. Insert the design into the fountain part of the pen and use for flushing by pumping water with a syringe. The only difficulty in this method is to choose a syringe with the desired hole diameter, as it must be tightly connected to the cartridge.
Handle cleaning with special products
Some manufacturers make special liquids for cleaning fountain pens. They are not cheap, and are not always available with us. But you can make a special tool yourself. Remember that plain water is still the safest way to clean fountain pens, and it is best to use special tools every few months.
Dishwashing Liquid is an excellent safe cleaner for fountain pens and can be added to water for greater effect.
Ammonia (ammonia) is suitable for stubborn ink residues. To do this, mix ammonia with water in proportions of 1:10. Do not use ammonia to clean aluminum, copper, or brass pen components as they may corrode.
Bleach is the right remedy if nothing else has worked. You need to make a weak solution of bleach and water in a ratio of 1:20 and rinse the pen. Be careful as bleach can damage some parts of the handle. Never use bleach with ammonia, as mixing the two will release harmful fumes.
Some fountain pens can be completely disassembled for easy cleaning. But if you do not know if a complete disassembly is provided, do not make sudden movements so as not to tear off the pen or damage other components. If the handle is completely disassembled, wash all parts and dry thoroughly before reassembling.
