How to Clean Deer Antlers After a Fire
After a fire, decorative items in a home or office such as deer antlers often have smoke staining in the form of ash and small particles, greasy-oily creosote residue and other debris and residues from burned materials such as cellulose, plastics or adhesives. Cleaning deer antlers after a fire requires that you remove loose particles and then break down or dissolve residues without damaging or discoloring the antlers or any finishes applied to the antlers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum
- Water
- Cotton cloths
- Lint-free microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Non-yellowing oil, oil soap or furniture polish
Instructions
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1
Vacuum the deer antlers with a brush head attachment to remove loose debris or wipe the antlers with a damp cotton or microfiber cloth.
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2
Fill a spray bottle with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
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3
Spray a cloth with the solution and rub the deer antlers to remove stains and give surfaces a glossy appearance. If dealing with tough stains or discoloration, blot the areas with undiluted white vinegar or 70 percent solution rubbing alcohol and a cloth.
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4
Wipe the antlers again with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residues.
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5
Apply oil, oil soap or a furniture polish that doesn't dry yellow or turn yellow over time onto the antlers, to help moisturize and protect the antlers. Wait six to eight hours.
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6
Remove any excess oil, oil soap or polish with a cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Reduce the amount of work required during future cleanings by spraying the clean deer antlers with a thin coat of lacquer.
If the deer antlers have a finish such as lacquer already, and you need to use a solvent such as rubbing alcohol, test an inconspicuous area on the antlers to make certain that the solvent won't break down or dissolve the lacquer resulting in cracks or pitting.
Never use harsh chemicals or paint thinners to clean deer antlers after a fire.
