Yesterday was Florida's opening day of spring gobbler season, and two of my friends each killed a bird. I removed the feathers from the wings and seperated them into left and right stacks. I have never fletched with raw feathers before and wondered if there is any preparation or cleaning of them I should do before getting them ready for my arrows. Some of the feathers have blood on them and wondered if there is a safe way to clean it without damanging the feather.
Thanks for the help
John

You could probably clean them in warm water and after they dry, steam them back to shape.   Pat

wash them with Dawn detergent , this is what i do before i dye feathers .just wash in warm water and rinse , put in old pillow case ( or one that is handy) tie off and toss in dryer --- herb

Make sure to take care of those dust mites. Place them in a sealed container with moth balls or something similar. For quick drying after washing you can place them on the intake side (flat across the grill) of a box fan. ART B

Pat and Herb, thanks, I washed them in warm water with a little dawn, took the dried blood right out! Art, thanks for the advice, I never thought about mites, great tips, thanks again.
John

I like that pillow case/dyrer idea Herb. You reckon the drier's heat will take care of the dust mites also.-ART B

The Dawn should have waxed the MITES, the DRYER should take care of cripples.

I usually Zip Lock and put the feathers in the freezer.....NO SURVIVORS.  

Iron Bull, I was given a grabage bag full of turkey feathers once that were stored in a freezer. Why, I could have screened my doors with the things (laughing). Figured the cold just made 'em that much more hungry  :D . Seriously though, they hadn't bee washed.-ART B

I washed all of mine today with dawn, if I have to I'll spray them with flea and tick killer before I'm allowed to bring them in the house. Otherwise I may be sleeping in the garage with the dust mites!

The treatments already mentioned probably kill the feather mites.  However, to be absolutely sure to kill them, according to an entomologist friend of mine, freeze them for a day.

Thanks Jerry,
I'll freeze them just to be sure as soon as they dry, my garage is really uncomfortable. I had better get used to it when I order my new Black Widow longbow next week though! I may spend a lot of time out there, feather mites and all.
John