This is the method and materials for bleaching. The peroxide process is not hard but can be smelly so best to do outside.
I have used it for feathers, quills, hair and fur. Several things to note: 1) solution is corrosive - avoid skin contact or spills 2) When working; the solution can get very hot (chemical action) - do not cover the container even after material has been removed. 3) Fumes from solution are very unpleasant - process out doors recommended. 4) Processing time may vary greatly from one batch to the next. May take a few minutes or up to an hour. Usually 5 - 15 minutes but have had some in 1-2 minutes. 5) The material will reach a point in the bleaching process where there will be little or no change. The end result my be ok but may be lighter than desired. 6) You can stop the process at any time by removing the material and rinsing in soap and water. Could be returned to solution if required. 7) The peroxide keeps best if stored refrigerated. 8) Material bleached will not be 'white' only a lighter in color. Example is Grizzly feathers (hen or saddle) when bleached will become barred ginger. 9) Bleached materials can be dyed. 10) You may be able to bleach more than one batch of material with the solution depending on amounts or type of material. This will depend on the amount of color pigments that are bleached from the materials. Used solution has a short shelf life so do additional material as soon as possible. 11) More than one type of material may be process in the same solution but it will be easier to do one type at a time as process times may vary greatly. 12) Material may be left in the solution for up to 2 hours but this long of a process time should not be required. It would take 6+ hours to cause damage to materials in the solution. Equipment required: 1) Peroxide - I use 35% 2) House Hold Ammonia 3) Plastic container - I use ice cream containers (2 liter) and for small batches a 1 liter container. Needs to have a lid 4) Plastic strainer - for rinsing materials 5) Fork - used to remove materials from hot dye batch 6) Hair dryer - to dry a test sample to see results and check color 7) Liquid dish soap - to rinse materials to remove any oils or dye that are not bonded to the material. 8) newspaper - used when drying materials Method: I bleach with a solution of 1 part household ammonia and 1 part 35% peroxide in approx. equal amounts. I get my peroxide at a local health food store. You only only need a small amount of solution. I use a small size plastic food container with just enough solution to cover the material. Before putting the material in the solution, wet in some soap (dish soap) and water and rinse well. This will allow the bleach solution contact the material easier. The process may take a couple of minutes to start but will be quite quick once it does. As with dying the materials when wet will appear darker. If you need to stop the process to dry a sample to check color you need to remove all of the material from the solution and rinse with soap and water before doing the sample. If you need any more info; just ask. Harmen
