It's cheap, and it works!

Phoenix, yes, Greendale Farm Shop just outside Exeter in Farringdon sell Ostrich meat. I occasionally go there as I live in Exeter. Delicious meat and low in cholesterol/low fat. As for "feathers are better on the bird than on dusters", if you are going to slaughter an animal for it's meat, then, like Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, use the entire animal. Makes sense to me.

I bought one. I always take Phoenix recommendations seriously. Thanks again Phoenix

There are ethically produced feather dusters, for people who don't wear leather or what not.

What a lovely post, I loathe dusting, but if this makes things easier, I am off to Morrisons as soon as I can, many thanks for the tip.

Me too.

I agree with Quizqueen

quizqueen - I know Peacocks shed their feathers once a year, so no cruelty involved in collecting/using them! I assume Ostriches and other big birds are the same........so nothing harmed in the making of a feather duster!

Aepgirl a girl after my own heart,same as 'what's ironing
I'm in hospital right now o not worrying about dust or ironing

Never been without one for years. Great for all those fiddly jobs.

Glenfinnan as far as I'm aware, until now you have not posted on this thread, unless of course I have missed something, so it would appear that you have just come on to it to have a pop at me!

And, by the way as I don't keep a track of every post I make, I'm sorry to admit that I cannot bring to mind the mind the comment/post you refer to. Perhaps you have made a note of it?

Phoenix I recall you being somewhat dismissive of one of my posts ....so pot calling....

But..... where does the flicked dust go? Does it go onto the feathers as a type of static attraction? If not, where?!

Our house has a south-west facing sitting room with glass tables. The sun shining in shows every single dust mote: I can dust with an e-cloth and a second later, dust will have settled again.

When the sun is shining, everything looks spanking clean but when it's not, it looks as if I haven't dusted for several years!

Don’t let it upset you pheonix there’s always one on a pedestal!

I was thinking...ostriches must have really clean and shiny bums! ?

Thank you for the positive responses, but must say that I'm a bit that some posters can take a light hearted, well meant thread and attempt to turn it into yet another argumentative one.

I appreciate that everyone has (and is entitled to) their opinions, but I am somewhat at some of the posts this thread has received.

Thank you for the tip! I had a feather duster (inherited from Mum) but it just moved dust into the air, allowing it to resettle later, I've not tried an ostrich feather one and will look out for one next time, especially as phoenix says that they retain the dust

If you use the duster to rescue butterflies and bumblebees does that absolve the guilt involved in using real feathers?

When an ornate Meissen clock was restored on The Repair Shop the china was cleaned with a hand held steam cleaner. It came up sparkling!

I once had a lambs wool duster and had to throw it when o discovered maggots in it. Yuk!!!!!

"Ostrich feathers belong on ostriches . ." but if the ostriches are already dead and turned into steaks then the feathers shouldn't be thrown into landfill but used. Aren't we supposed to be ditching plastic implements in favour of natural solutions? Perhaps the compromise, until the whole world becomes veggie or vegan, is to ban removing them from live birds?

Yet another use for a proper feather duster, this time for those who hatch hens eggs in an incubator - hang a feather duster up so that the feathers just brush the ground and it becomes a substitute broody hen. The chicks will snuggle underneath it for shelter, any warmth will have to come from an infra red light bulb. I know, I'm a mine of useless information!

Well said quizqueen and buttonjugs.
Ostrich feathers belong on ostriches not on the end of sticks!!!

I'll look out for one, myself. I invested in a lambs wool one but have to use a dog grooming brush to get rid of the cobwebs...that's after an extensive hunt for the brush....

3nanny6
Do you have a Wilko? I have noticed them in my branch which is not a very large shop so its worth going on the Wilko website to check where they are available.

Correction, Don't have.

I have a much easier way.Don't have ornaments .One or two maybe but I would not want to live as does a friend where on entering her house reminds me of the series Keeping up Appearances. Where my friend is concerned not teacups but her rather large display of china and crystal collectables that leave me fearful of knocking over not just one, but even worse, two of them.