Asked on Nov 26, 2018
How do I clean my dream catcher?
+5
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?
Suggested Project Book
Just shake it out gently outside, try not to rub it at all you might break feathers.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.