How do you wash swansdown?

[KatyMac]

When it's attached to a dress?

Or actually it might be marabou (maribou?) feathers

How would I tell?

No-one?

Bump?

A dry cleaning job, surely....

Don't have a lot of swansdown me self!

I would say "you don't" TBH. I think it would go all lumpy and lose the fluff.

Oh dear

Actually I think it's maribou......not that it makes much difference tbh

Just replace them. 3 quid for 20 here.

There are yards and yards of it.......2 layers round a more than full circle skirt.....I don't think I can afford to

I'll have to pick it all off and re-sew it on after I have washed the skirt

Dry clean according to Details of similar dresses on net-a-porter.

Hell, it's only a dress. So:

A) Don't put the feathers on.

B) If you already have put the feathers (what a massive job!) on then replace them with something else when you need to wash the dress.

C) Sew the feathers to a length of bias band and tack it to the inside of the skirt along the hem.

Bought dress on ebay to remake

Feathers probably the most expensive bit

Bugger

This is going to be bad

Very very bad

You can hand wash it - then lay it out to dry flat. To fluff the feathers up again just use a hairdryer on a low heat setting. Be careful not to scorch them or they'll stink.

In ass's milk?

Isnit a costume? Why do you need to wash the skirt?

Asses milk might make it smell

It's grubby so it needs washing - really a hair-dryer (google said that but I'd rather believe MN)

So you don't need to actually was the feathers- it's the skirt? Could you hand wash the skirt holding the feathered bit clear of the water? Does that make sense? Then dry the whole thing flat.

I really really wouldn't get the feathers wet!

Yes I wondered about holding it all together (in a bobble) and swishing the skirt in the bath

That would work- it's what I'd do. Maybe put it in a plastic bag to protect it from drips.

Make sure she helps!

No way - I am doing this when she is out & it is quiet and there are no distractions.....I'll make her pay in other ways

Good point!

I have had an even better idea from this thread - let DH do it!!!