How to sterilise feathers
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Birds can carry a variety of mites and bacteria on their feathers. Sterilise them with dry heat, disinfectants or ultraviolet light treatments. Commercially, feathers are sterilised with formaldehyde or sulphur dioxide. In the home, tiny organisms can be eliminated using all other methods. Turn oven to 110 degrees.
Birds can carry a variety of mites and bacteria on their feathers. Sterilise them with dry heat, disinfectants or ultraviolet light treatments. Commercially, feathers are sterilised with formaldehyde or sulphur dioxide. In the home, tiny organisms can be eliminated using all other methods.
Dry heat
- Place feathers 10 cm (4 inches) apart on a baking tray.
Turn oven to 110 degrees.
Place feathers 10 cm (4 inches) apart on a baking tray. This allows hot air to circulate freely around each feather.
Bake for two and a half hours.
Remove from oven to cool.
Boiling
- Place feathers in a saucepan.
- Their fibres will compress from the boiling action.
Place feathers in a saucepan.
Add water to cover the feathers and be 2.5 cm (1 inch) above them.
Heat the water on high heat until it bubbles.
Boil for 20 minutes. Some fungus spores may survive this treatment.
Reshape the feathers gently with your fingers. Their fibres will compress from the boiling action.
References
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Patti Perry is currently attending West Virginia University and expanding her knowledge base. She has worked as a freelance visual artist for 30 years, with specialties in watercolor and scherenschnitte. Originality of creation is her motivation and she continues to pursue this avenue in her writing. Perry is currently contributing articles to eHow.