I would like to use my pretty chicken and peafowl feathers on cards and flower arrangements, any suggestions on how to clean and keep them looking nice? It seems, in a short time they begin to disingrate, so there must be a preservative that others use. I would appreciate any help anyone could offer.
Kindest Regards
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Then something is probably eating them. It could be anything from feather mites, clothes moths or carpet beetles to roaches or several other kinds of unwanted household visitors.
They can be washed with dishwashing liquid, rinsed VERY well, and then blow-dried. That will remove any bugs that are currently on them. Store them in a sealed container with a few moth balls and they will keep for years.
If they are kept out and displayed in a vase or etc. they will always be at some risk. Moth balls in the container might offer a little protection but no guarantees. UV light makes them weaker, brittle, and faded after a while too, so direct sunlight will cause them to deteriorate sooner than if they are stored in the dark.
Me Tarzan. Your feathers. Either fluff them in Borax powder or wash in Borax Solution...then dry...they will be fine then. I have Borax powder Preserved feathers and mounts before you were born...LOL...still in great condition.
~ ETCC
Thanks, that makes perfect sense, since, up until now, they have been sitting in a bucket in the detached garage, I will clean and properly store those I want to use, from now on.
Thanks again,
Jane