Re: Using feathers as stuffing for cushions.
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:08 am
A little something I found on the net ... I've cut and pasted it, so the spelling isn't mine 
"To "sanataise" feathers there are several methods. If its dirty, use soap and water and blow dry and preen them so they dont dry all stuck together. (Water doesn't hurt them- birds have to take baths after all. Boiling them may hurt them but regular cool or warm water wont.) If you just want to make sure there are no buggies/mites/etc you cant see on them (its possible specially with wild birds and mites will eat the feather over time and ruin it) then put them in a plastic bag and shove them in the freezer for a day or two. Freezing kills off most most thing, specially mites. If your still worried, pet stores also offer a mite spray for birds you can spritz them with. "
Mike
"To "sanataise" feathers there are several methods. If its dirty, use soap and water and blow dry and preen them so they dont dry all stuck together. (Water doesn't hurt them- birds have to take baths after all. Boiling them may hurt them but regular cool or warm water wont.) If you just want to make sure there are no buggies/mites/etc you cant see on them (its possible specially with wild birds and mites will eat the feather over time and ruin it) then put them in a plastic bag and shove them in the freezer for a day or two. Freezing kills off most most thing, specially mites. If your still worried, pet stores also offer a mite spray for birds you can spritz them with. "
Mike
