How to Harden Goat Skin

Goatskin is sold in small panels.

Goat skin is a thin type of leather that can be hung on the wall as tapestry, thrown over the sofa or used as a rug. It can be made soft and delicate, or goat skin can be hardened to look and feel more durable.

Things You'll Need

• Large tub
• Clothesline
• Clothespins
• Hammer
• Oven
• Baking pan

Instructions

1. Fill the tub with cold water. Place the goat skin in the tub and soak for a few hours. The longer you leave it in the tub, the harder it will become. You can leave the goat skin soaking in the water for up to 12 hours. Remove the goat skin from the water and hang it out to dry. Pin it up on a clothesline in the sun. The goat skin will harden while drying.

2. Fill up the tub with hot water, and then add the goat skin. Allowing the skin to soak in the hot water is another method for hardening goat skin. The hotter the water, the harder the skin will become. Water that is too hot will cook the leather and cause it to become brittle. Set the water to roughly the temperature of a hot bath.

3. Hammer damp goat skin to harden it. Place the leather on top of a flat hard surface and pound all over it with the hammer. This process toughens the leather.

4. Leave the goat skin out in the sun to tan naturally. If you have soft goat skin, the sun's heat can harden it a little.

References

• University of Tulsa; Cuir Bouilli/Hardened Leather FAQ; Marc Carlson; June, 2004