How to Tan With Borax

Borax is one of many ways to tan an animal's hide.

Tanning animal hide helps preserve the pelts once they have been removed from their bodies. Tanned hides can be use for clothing or put on display. Borax paste is a great way to tan the hide of small animals or those with thin pelts. The process takes several days to complete. When working with chemicals such as Borax or aluminum sulfate, you should wear protective gloves.

Things You'll Need

• Latex gloves
• 3 lbs. salt
• Sharp knife
• 2- to 5-gallon ceramic pots
• Water
• Sulfuric acid
• Aluminum sulfate
• Borax
• Bowl

Instructions

Cleaning the Pelt

1. Lay the animal pelt on a flat surface, furry side down. Because you are going to remove the fat from the underside of the pelt, it may help to secure it to the workspace with clamps.

2. Pour salt over the hide and rub vigorously. Use a quick back and forth motion with firm pressure as you rub the salt into the hide. Set aside to dry for three days. Regular table salt works best.

3. Remove any excess salt by shaking the hide back and forth. Lay the pelt on a flat surface, furry side down.

4. Place the blade of the sharp knife on the hide and scrape away the remaining salt. This will also remove the fatty tissue and membranes stuck to the hide. Use quick, even strokes and medium pressure when scraping away the salt.

5. Fill the ceramic pot with 3 gallons of warm water and add 4 1/2 oz. of liquid sulfuric acid. Add 3 lbs. of salt and place the pelt into the mixture. Leave the pelt in the mixture for three days. Stir twice a day. Remove the pelt and wring out any excess moisture.

Tanning the Pelt

1. Pour 4 oz. of Borax into a bowl. Add 4 oz. of aluminum sulfate and 2 tbsp. of water. Stir to create a paste.

2. Lay the cleaned pelt on a flat work surface, furry side down.

3. Spread the Borax paste over the pelt. Rub the paste into the pelt using a quick, circular motion and firm pressure. Apply the paste once a day for the next three days. After you apply the paste on the third day, leave the pelt untouched for the next 72 hours.

4. Remove the Borax paste with the blade of the knife. Use quick strokes with a medium pressure. Once most of the paste has been removed, rinse the hide under running water to remove the remaining Borax paste. Set the hide aside to air dry.

References

• New Mexico State University: Tanning Deer Hides and Small Fur Skins
• Perdue University: Tanning Hides