We get so many inquiries as to how to properly care for our FlyLady Feather Dusters. So, just for you, I shined my sink, set up my camera, and "pampered" one of our 16" feather dusters. Yes, all the images on this page are of the SAME feather duster. Do you know how hard it is to hold a dryer, a duster, and operate a camera all at the same time? LOL! Enjoy! - FlyCrew
Your New FLY Duster Arrives!
You have been waiting anxiously for your special package to arrive. Tom and his staff in the FLY Shop have processed your order, carefully wrapped your merchandise, and sent it to you via the mail.
Before you know it, your package has arrived and you open it in excited anticipation. Ensure your dogs and cats are safely out of reach. If they see the FLY Duster before you do, they may think it is a real bird and well....let's just say, FlyLady had to go dig her new feather duster out of the garden!
But wait, this does not look like the duster on the FlyLady website. It has a plastic sleeve on it and looks kind of limp and flat. You thought it would be more luxurious, more full.... Time to let you in on our secret!
We "pamper" our feather dusters!
Yes, all feather dusters which show up on FlyLady.net are pampered. It is very easy to do. Grab your blow dryer, set it to LOW and gently blow dry the duster for a few minutes (you don't have to make the duster wet). Before your eyes, the feathers will begin to ploof out and your duster will begin to look like Kelly's hair on a humid day in North Carolina LOL. If you don't have a blow dryer, boil some water in your kettle, or in a pot on the stove. Once it is boiling, gently wave the feather duster back and forth through the steam to ploof up the feathers (be careful not to burn yourself and don't let the feathers touch the stove element - don't ask me how I know this!)
Keep four things in mind when using your duster:
- If the area you are dusting for the first time is kind of greasy or really thick with dust, wash the area first with your rag and an all purpose cleaner or dusting polish. Then use your duster to keep the dust away!
- Do not use any dusting sprays on your feather duster. These are not necessary. The natural ostrich feathers create their own static to pick up the dust.
- Gently move your duster across the area your are dusting. Once it has picked up the dust, go outside and shake out the duster (bless the world).
- Have fun! You never knew dusting could be so easy.
Washing Your Feather Duster
So, you think your duster is dirty and needs a bath? This is actually not something you need to do very often. I have had my duster for over a year, and it has not been "bathed" yet. But, if your duster has been dragged through mud, jam, and other sticky smelly stuff, have no fear, you can wash it!
I have never actually washed a duster before, so you will have to bear with me. Some people choose to fill their sink with warm soapy water (mild dishsoap or baby shampoo works well), and then they gently swish the duster in the water to loosen the dirt and the trapped dust. I chose to wash this duster with running water.
Those with porcelain sinks may wish to
wash their dusters in a bucket to eliminate the possibility of
staining the sink if the dye on the purple feathers happens to run.
Oh my, it looks like a wet rodent with a wooden tail!!
It is supposed to look like that I guess. Let's keep going. I washed the feathers gently with some dish soap. Be careful not to break the feathers. Then rinse with water and gently squeeze out the excess soap and water.
Now, you can either stand the feather duster up in a vase and let it dry overnight (ploof it up with the blow dryer the next morning), or you can be impatient like me and take the hair dryer to it.
I used my timer to see just how long it would take to dry. After the first minute, I have to honestly say, it still looks like a wet rodent with a wooden tail!
Three minutes, and then six minutes later it is starting to look a little better. Hmmmm, this takes longer to dry than my hair!
After about 10 minutes, the FlyLady Feather Duster is back to its former glory. It got a little "staticky" while I was drying it, so I waved it across the steam over a pot of boiling water. That added a touch of humidity to the duster, and the feathers stopping sticking to each other. Wow! Look at that 16" Duster! It is gorgeous. Can you imagine how thick and luxurious the 26" Duster gets after a bath?!
For information on how to order your 16" and/or 26" FlyLady Feather Duster, check out the FlyShop.
These FLY Dusters are designed and manufactured exclusively for FlyLady!
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Caring for Your FlyLady Feather Duster