Exotic parrot feathers can be cleaned, repaired and reshaped to their original beauty.
Cleaning. Soak the feathers in a mild cleansing soap for five to ten minutes. We recommend the Oxyfresh cleansing Gele. It is mild and has an antibacterial agent for disinfecting. After soaking, gently work any areas which may have debris. Rinse the feather with clear water. Shake off excess water. Since this will leave the feathers stiff, we do recommend drying with a hair dryer or feather blower.
Cleaning. Another quick and really great method is to use Clorox wipes. The wipes have just the right amount of dampness which does not leave the feathers soak and does not leave the feathers stiff. Just use the wipe going with the grain of the feathers. The wipes do not contain bleach, so color will not be affected and it will remove any bacteria as well. I find this method to be the most effective and it is a quicker process.
Drying and Shaping. For drying there a couple of methods. The feathers may be hung to dry or laid flat. If hanging, hang from the shaft or quill. If you need to reshape any of the feathers it is suggested to perform this part of the process in a flat position. Should you need to reshape any of the feathers to their original position it is suggested to work with them when they are still wet or damp. Place the feathers either on wax paper or freezer paper. You can apply a small piece of tape on the quill to secury while you are reshaping. Wax paper is recommended as it makes the combing process easier You may take a fine tooth comb or even a pet flea comb, to arrange the feather back into the original growth pattern. the feathers must be free of excess water, as the waxed paper will not be absorbent. To get the softness of the original feather it is recommended to dry with a hairdryer on cool. If left to dry naturally, they may become stiff and unattractive.
Reshaping. After a feather has been cleaned and dried completely, any final faults can be reshaped by using a pair of sharp scissors and trimmed to form your tip or correct any imperfections which may have occured to the feather. With these tips, you can save alot of damaged or dirty feathers to their original beauty.
Feathers are used in a variety of ways. Peyote fans, Feathered Mask Making, Fly Fishing, Indian Art, Floral Arrangements and many other craft ideas.
We offer a variety of feathers. Check out our listings. Parrot Feathers
)
