2026-06-29T06:26:58Z https://hatacademy.com/forum/topics/treating-feathers?feed=yes&xn_auth=no tag:hatacademy.com,2025-02-16:6485913:Comment:368021 2025-02-16T22:57:23.680Z Marysia Teresa Paling https://hatacademy.com/profile/MarysiaPaling

<p>Hi there, I asked Ian Bennett about this sometime ago and his expert advice was followed. I made up a calico bag to put feathers a friend sent me from her colourful birds. Simply place the feathers in the bag in your freezer for a week or two and then take our and let them defrost and you are ok to use them.</p>

<p>Hi there, I asked Ian Bennett about this sometime ago and his expert advice was followed. I made up a calico bag to put feathers a friend sent me from her colourful birds. Simply place the feathers in the bag in your freezer for a week or two and then take our and let them defrost and you are ok to use them.</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2023-05-08:6485913:Comment:361292 2023-05-08T19:18:17.120Z js hopkins https://hatacademy.com/profile/stevehopkins

<p>I grow fancy chickens for their feathers.  I do not use  large plumes but instead sew small individual feathers onto a backing to decorate hats or make hat bands, headbands, feathered lei, etc.. </p> <p>See above for washing away grunge and killing mites.  You can also use a permethrin spray like the one made for treating clothes to prevent ticks.  Drying with a hair dryer is much too tedious for small feathers and will blow them all over the room.  Instead, put the feathers in a pillow…</p>

<p>I grow fancy chickens for their feathers.  I do not use  large plumes but instead sew small individual feathers onto a backing to decorate hats or make hat bands, headbands, feathered lei, etc.. </p> <p>See above for washing away grunge and killing mites.  You can also use a permethrin spray like the one made for treating clothes to prevent ticks.  Drying with a hair dryer is much too tedious for small feathers and will blow them all over the room.  Instead, put the feathers in a pillow case, tie the end closed and throw it in the clothes dryer.</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2019-05-11:6485913:Comment:260436 2019-05-11T21:57:05.993Z Susannah Greenman https://hatacademy.com/profile/SusannahGreenman

<p>I was taught to put them in the freezer for 1-2 weeks (to kill the mites) then wash them in baby shampoo and let them dry naturally and run them through your fingers to replace the natural oils.</p>

<p>I was taught to put them in the freezer for 1-2 weeks (to kill the mites) then wash them in baby shampoo and let them dry naturally and run them through your fingers to replace the natural oils.</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-12-03:6485913:Comment:30850 2012-12-03T23:07:27.996Z Cara DeLaRosa-Harrison https://hatacademy.com/profile/bellareginadesigns

<p>Also, I have found that bleach and borax will start to "eat through" the feathers. The cornmeal mixture technique is used for drying body parts out/preserving limbs (think taxidermy) but not necessary for feathers.</p>

<p>Also, I have found that bleach and borax will start to "eat through" the feathers. The cornmeal mixture technique is used for drying body parts out/preserving limbs (think taxidermy) but not necessary for feathers.</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-12-03:6485913:Comment:30847 2012-12-03T23:04:29.149Z Cara DeLaRosa-Harrison https://hatacademy.com/profile/bellareginadesigns

<p>Hi Bron, I use feathers quite a bit in my work. The following is the process that I have been using (after compiling a great deal of research on how to properly sanitize and prepare feathers). Step 1: Freeze them for 24-48 hours. This will kill any mites/insects/parasites. Step 2: Wash them in hot, soapy water. I use the Blue Dawn dish soap that is used to clean oil off the feathers of birds affected by oil spills. It cuts through oil and dirt but does not harm the feathers. Step 3: Gently…</p>

<p>Hi Bron, I use feathers quite a bit in my work. The following is the process that I have been using (after compiling a great deal of research on how to properly sanitize and prepare feathers). Step 1: Freeze them for 24-48 hours. This will kill any mites/insects/parasites. Step 2: Wash them in hot, soapy water. I use the Blue Dawn dish soap that is used to clean oil off the feathers of birds affected by oil spills. It cuts through oil and dirt but does not harm the feathers. Step 3: Gently towel dry each feather, using a swiping motion in only one direction (quill to tip). Step 4: Blow dry each feather with a hairdryer on medium/hot setting. This returns them to their natural, fluffy state. It is a time consuming process, but worth it to ensure your feathers are properly cleaned. Final Step: I always wash my hands one more time when I am finished with the process. Hope that helps everyone! :)</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-12-01:6485913:Comment:30465 2012-12-01T13:20:46.396Z Bronnie G Millinery https://hatacademy.com/profile/BronwynGill

Hi Aoife, I thought of doing that, but was a little wary of spoiling the feathers.<br /> Thanks for that.

Hi Aoife, I thought of doing that, but was a little wary of spoiling the feathers.<br /> Thanks for that. tag:hatacademy.com,2012-11-27:6485913:Comment:30225 2012-11-27T12:57:55.943Z Aoife Kirwan https://hatacademy.com/profile/AoifeKirwan

<p>If you buy feathers from a feather supplier you do not need to worry as they are pre treated.</p> <p>If you are using non treated featers Put your feathers in a plastic bag and put them into the freezer to kill anything that might be on them.</p> <p>And wash dirty feathers with baby shampoo.</p>

<p>If you buy feathers from a feather supplier you do not need to worry as they are pre treated.</p> <p>If you are using non treated featers Put your feathers in a plastic bag and put them into the freezer to kill anything that might be on them.</p> <p>And wash dirty feathers with baby shampoo.</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-11-23:6485913:Comment:29913 2012-11-23T00:19:53.789Z Hat Academy https://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2

<p>More discussion on <a href="http://hatacademy.com/forum/topics/advice-for-preventing-feather-spliting" target="_self">millinery feathers</a></p>

<p>More discussion on <a href="http://hatacademy.com/forum/topics/advice-for-preventing-feather-spliting" target="_self">millinery feathers</a></p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-11-23:6485913:Comment:29908 2012-11-23T00:03:58.219Z Elsie Collins https://hatacademy.com/profile/ElsieCollins

<p>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?</p>

<p>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?</p> tag:hatacademy.com,2012-11-22:6485913:Comment:29738 2012-11-22T11:22:52.734Z Bronnie G Millinery https://hatacademy.com/profile/BronwynGill

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

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