Ostrich Feather Storage:
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) work very well. In fact, the higher the temperature, the better, as it means there is less moisture in the air. Over time, moisture can damage ostrich feathers, which means their lifespan will be shortened. Therefore, it is better to keep the room temperature as close to 23°C as possible.
That’s indoor room temperature, but what should ostrich feathers be stored in? Although standard card is often used for pen storage, it is not recommended because the acidity of the card can have an adverse effect on the pens over time. The best way to store ostrich feathers is in an acid-free (PH neutral) cardboard box. These boxes not only prevent acidity from aging ostrich feathers, but also protect the feathers from other sources of damage; insects, dust, light exposure and excessive handling, for example. These boxes are easily found on the internet and cost around £20.
Ostrich feather cleaning:
Despite how well ostrich feathers store, they will eventually need to be cleaned. We will now describe a couple of methods on how this can be achieved. If the feathers carry dust or other easily removable dirt, we recommend brushing them. The best brushes to use would be a large (dry!) artist brush with natural bristles or a soft baby brush. A soft brush is needed so that the plumage is not damaged during cleaning. Holding the ostrich feather in one hand, brush in the direction of the plumage while applying gentle pressure. After a few strokes, the dust should start to clear from the pen. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or rub against the plumage, as this is likely to damage the feather.
Many people choose to clean their ostrich feathers with water. We would not recommend it unless it is really necessary. If it is necessary to wash the feathers, the following method should work. Clean each feather individually by rinsing in warm water, when the feather is wet apply a little baby shampoo and gently massage into the ostrich feather by stroking in the direction of the plumage. With the shampoo rinsed from the pen, it can be left to dry overnight or a hair dryer can be used on its lowest setting. Using a hair dryer on the pen should take around 10 minutes. If the feather starts to lose some of its fullness, hold it over a pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, where the moisture should help get the feather back into great shape once more.
We hope this article has shown how, by following a few simple maintenance tips, ostrich feathers can last for many years.
Reprint rights
You can reproduce the content of this article on your own website. However, to do so, you must include a link back to HandcraftedUK.