Storing Ostrich Feathers:
Ostrich feathers will thrive if certain storage conditions are met. We have found that feathers stored between temperatures of 15-23°C (59-73°F) perform very well. In fact, the higher the temperature the better as it means there is less humidity in the air. Over time, humidity can damage the ostrich feathers which means their life span will be shortened. So, it is best to keep the room temperature as close to 23°C as possible.
That's the room temperature covered but, what should the ostrich feathers be stored in? Although standard card is often used for the storage of feathers this is not recommended because, over time, the acidity in the card can have an adverse affect on the feathers. The best way to store ostrich feathers is in an acid free cardboard box (PH neutral). These boxes not only prevent any acidity aging the ostrich feathers but also protects the feathers from other sources of damage; insects, dust, light exposure and over handling for example. These boxes are easily found on the Internet and start from around £20.
Cleaning Ostrich Feathers:
Despite how well the ostrich feathers are stored they will eventually need to be cleaned. We will now outline a couple of methods as to how this can be achieved. If the feathers are carrying dust or other easily removable dirt then we would recommend brushing them. The best brushes to use would be a large artist's paintbrush (dry!) with natural bristles or, a soft baby brush. A soft brush is needed so that the plumage isn't damaged during the cleaning. Supporting the ostrich feather in one hand, brush in the direction of the plumage while applying a gentle pressure. After a few strokes the dust should be starting to clear from the feather. Take care not to apply too much pressure or brush against the plumage as this is likely to damage the feather.
Many people choose to clean their ostrich feathers using water. We would not recommend this unless it is really necessary. If it is necessary to wash the feathers then the following method should work. Clean each feather individually by rinsing it under lukewarm water, when the feather is damp apply a bit of baby shampoo to it and gently massage it into the ostrich feather by stroking in the direction of the plumage. With the shampoo rinsed from the feather, it can be left to dry overnight or a hairdryer can be used on its lowest setting. Using a hairdryer on the feather should take around 10 minutes. If the feather starts to lose any of its fullness, hold it over a pan of steaming water for a couple of minutes where the humidity should help get the feather back into great shape once more!
We hope this article has demonstrated how, by following a few easy maintenance tips, ostrich feathers can last for many years.
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Gary Mullen from <a href="http://www.handcrafteduk.com/ethnicgiftsostrichfeathers-c-3_55.html">Ostrich Feathers</a>
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