Asked on Nov 26, 2018

How do I clean my dream catcher?

Lisas Rexstar
by Lisas Rexstar

I have a large, white dreamcatcher made by a noted Pawnee artist whose work is in the Smithsonian. The rawhide "strings" & feathers are very dusty. How can I clean feathers & rawhide leather without damage?

  7 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 26, 2018

    Just shake it out gently outside, try not to rub it at all you might break feathers.

  • Beth Beth on Nov 26, 2018

    I have some little brushes that I use to clean my sewing machine. They're great at gently removing lint and dust. Something like this would work: https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Lint-Brush-Sewing-Product/dp/B004KZ378S


    You could also go to a craft store or somewhere like Walmart to find a little brush like this.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 26, 2018

    You could try blow drying it with a hair dryer on 'no heat' setting. Depending on how thick the layer of dust may be, this might be enough to blow it away.

  • Trudi Trudi on Nov 27, 2018

    I have used compressed air to blow dust off my breakables. Also have used a computer vacuum for things with little corners. They come with different attachments and the suction on them is not so strong to hurt anything.

  • Marc Erick Marc Erick on Nov 27, 2018

    Hi! You may want to try this... place your dreamcatcher in a brown paper bag with about a cup of table salt added, gently shake/roll the bag, remove the dreamcatcher and gently tap to remove any residue. Hope this helps a bit!

    • Jo Jo on Nov 27, 2018

      I have done this for years with silk flowers...works like a charm. A lint roller is useful too.

  • Tina Tina on Nov 27, 2018

    WRITE TO THE Smithsonian Museum (SM) and ask. This needs to be cleaned by a conservative. The The SM May have a reference list.

    I don’t know what you paid for it but if it’s in the SM, it has value.

    WhT one person does forcleaning could ruin it.

    Good Luck


  • Cindy Cindy on Nov 27, 2018

    I have a can of compressed air that I use to clean my laptop. You could use something like this. This will give you control of how far to start the air with. Hold it closer and closer as you go. This will eliminate the air blowing too hard and harming your dream catcher.