I saw an old post suggesting the use of downey fabric softner to fluff the feathers after a good wash. I am having some problems with sea duck feathers not looking full after my dawn wash, degrease, and blow dry process. Any suggestions would be helpful. Cheers
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Its probably your rinse. After defatting I run ALL my birds under hot water to dislodge as much grease as possible from the skin and feathers. On sea ducks I will also rub Dawn detergent right onto the skin to a lather. Another soak in Dawn after that. Then I will rinse them silly! Four times minimum and sometimes more. It is imperative that you get all of the detergent out of the feathers or they will never fluff properly.
If it makes you feel better add a capful of fabric softener to your second to last rinse. Let it soak for about 5 minutes and then rinse again. I've never found fabric softener to be of much help in fluffing feathers. Clean, dry feathers will be just as soft and fluffy without it.
Thanks Paul. I realize now that I have not been rinsing enough. I will try it on the next bird. Thanks a lot. BP