CARING
Caring for Korowai
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The feathers
We double or triple stitch the feathers to ensure the korowai are very robust, but as a precaution should still be handled with care. When new and worn or displayed for the first time a single feather or two may separate from your korowai. This is normal when a korowai is new and the feathers are settling into their natural shape.
Storage
You can store your korowai in the bag provided when not in use. Make sure to keep it in a dry, well-aired place and not to place other items on top of it in order to avoid crushing the feathers. It is not unusual for the feathers to slightly crease from being folded for long periods of time.
Regularly take the korowai out of its bag or storage container and flatten the feathers to help maintain its shape. Check the feathers regularly by running your fingers through them. While all of the feathers have been fumigated before being made into korowai, any feather deterioration may mean the korowai needs to be treated or re-fumigated. This is a rare occurrence and depends on where it has been stored or displayed. It is more common with natural feathers than dyed. Make sure to use mothballs or similar preventative measures to minimise the risk of this. Some insect sprays that can be purchased at hardware stores can also be used as a preventative or treatment.
Display
To mount a korowai on your wall thread a rod through the top seam and attach each end to hooks already fitted to your wall. Displaying your korowai on a mannequin is also a good way of maintaining the shape. If you want to further protect your korowai while on display it is possible to have a boxed picture frame custom made. Again, make sure to have some mothballs or similar inserted with the korowai to prevent any feather deterioration.
As a precaution, do not display korowai in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Cleaning
The feathers on the korowai are relatively delicate and it is important not to use water or chemicals to clean them. The best way to clean a dusty korowai is to lightly shake it or place a piece of nylon screening over the short end of a vacuum cleaner and gently suction over the korowai in small sections and using the lowest setting. If your korowai is fragile please exercise discretion before vacuuming.
Do not hand wash or dry clean your korowai.
In extreme cases you may very gently wipe the feathers using a soft, scarcely damp cloth but we recommend you exercise extreme caution in doing so.
Repair
If your korowai needs to be repaired please contact a professional before taking action.
If the cord comes out you can reinsert it by wrapping a piece of A4 paper around the cord about 1/3rd of the way down. Fold the top of the cord tightly down over the top edge of the paper and tuck into the last fold. Wrap the top and bottom of the paper with cello tape (not on the cord) and gently work the paper wrapped end through the seam opening until it gets to the other end. If you want the cord to be permanently secured into the korowai you can make a single stitch at each end of the top seam so that the ends of the cord are too large to fit through.