Cleaning Feathers

[ncpat]

I gathered 2 to 3 dozen goose feathers from the pond yesterday. All sizes, both wings and straight. Some are pretty clean but some have goose droppings on them a few have algae from the water.

What is the best way to clean them without removing their oils?

[Dharma]

Dawn liquid dishsoap.

[crooketarrow]

  Only time a long time will remove the oils.

[robby]

I just let them dry out real good and pull them through my hands and any gunk just falls or pops right off. Never had to wash a feather, but I do wash my hands.
Robby

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Dry then brush gently. If you are worried about insects- clean in white gasoline or napatha.
Laundry detergent works well.
(quoted from a book on indian lore by Ben Hunt)

[Pappy]

I do like robby and most time wash my hands,maybe not righ off but sometimes during the day. guess I should be more careful but never had any ill effect for it that I know of.  maybe thats why
Miss Joanie thinks I am crazy.
   Pappy

[4dog]

Just adds a bit of seasoning when yer eatin ribs??

[JackCrafty]

By coincidence, we just had this same question asked a little while ago.  Here's the link.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,40091.0.html

 

[ncpat]

Thanks Jackcrafty, I actually did see your post on that thread just after I started this. I tried the soap and water and it worked well. I soaked the feathers a couple of hours in hot soapy water then rinsed and laid them all out on a drop cloth on the porch. Laid another drop cloth on top and let them dry overnight and next day. I may have to steam a few before cutting them to shape.

I have more feathers than I thought, about 75. Only 2 turned out to be junk. I should be able to use most of the others.

[JackCrafty]

Cool. 

[ncpat]

I have been back to the pond a few times and now have 150 or more goose feathers. A few did not clean up well and I am sure some are not sturdy enough to use. But I am sure I can use many. I am heading back to the pond as often as I can. I am really getting "feather fever" now to get all I can while the geese are molting. I clean each batch as I get them home then dry them in the sun.

[ncpat]

I just found another 30-40 feathers. That pond is a gold mine for feathers. 2-3 dozen geese live there full time.

[Youngboyer2(billyf)]

Wow, that's a lot, I might start asking goose hunters for some wings

[ncpat]

Wow, that's a lot, I might start asking goose hunters for some wings

I am sure some of them are not really useable but I think a lot are. I kept a lot of "in doubt" ones, as I can chuck them later if not good.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Wow, that's a lot, I might start asking goose hunters for some wings

I am sure some of them are not really useable but I think a lot are. I kept a lot of "in doubt" ones, as I can chuck them later if not good.

I think you are going to make a fortune from that pond