Feathers in their infinite variety, have a universal appeal. They have been used by all cultures to adorn functional and decorative objects and have served as symbols of beauty, the spirit world, power, and wealth. Feathers can be found on many composite objects in ethnographic collections. The preservation of feathers is difficult since these delicate structures are prone to biological attack by keratin eating insects and physical damage due to improper storage and handling. Dirt and dust pose a particular problem for feathers. Because of their intricate structure and the presence of natural oils on their surface, feathers attract dirt and hold it tenaciously. The dirt can cause staining and matting and will lead to further deterioration by attracting insects and fungi. The necessary removal of dirt from feathers is a complicated process. Many factors are involved in selecting an appropriate cleaning method. The first three sections of this paper will survey the chemistry and structure of feathers and their conservation implications. The final section will consider the choice of cleaning methods and materials.