Cleaning a deer skull is a rewarding process, preserving a piece of nature's artistry for years to come. While various methods exist, borax remains a popular and effective choice for degreasing and whitening deer skulls. This guide explores the use of borax, addressing common questions and providing a step-by-step process for achieving professional-looking results.
Understanding the Role of Borax in Skull Cleaning
Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, is a powerful degreasing agent. Animal skulls, especially those recently harvested, contain significant amounts of fat and tissue. Borax effectively breaks down these organic materials, leaving a clean, white bone structure. Its effectiveness stems from its ability to absorb moisture and disrupt the chemical bonds in fats and oils. This makes it a preferred method for many hunters and taxidermists.
Benefits of Using Borax:
- Effectiveness: Borax consistently delivers excellent degreasing results, removing stubborn fat and oil deposits.
- Affordability: Borax is readily available and relatively inexpensive compared to other cleaning agents.
- Safety: While precautions should always be taken when handling any cleaning agent, borax is generally considered safe when used as directed.
- Accessibility: Borax can be easily found in most supermarkets, pharmacies, and online retailers.
The Step-by-Step Borax Cleaning Process
This process assumes the skull has already undergone initial cleaning, removing as much soft tissue as possible. Improper initial cleaning can lead to prolonged degreasing times.
Materials You'll Need:
- Clean container: A large plastic tub or bucket is ideal.
- Borax: Purchase 20 Mule Team Borax or a similar product.
- Water: Plenty of clean water is essential.
- Gloves: Protect your hands from potential irritants.
- Safety Glasses: Always protect your eyes.
- Paper towels or old rags: For cleanup.
Step 1: Preparing the Skull
Ensure the skull is as clean as possible. Remove any remaining soft tissue, flesh, or cartilage. A pressure washer can be helpful for this stage. Thoroughly rinse the skull under running water.
Step 2: Mixing the Borax Solution
Mix a saturated solution of borax and water. This means adding borax to the water until no more dissolves. The solution should be thick and somewhat cloudy. There's no exact ratio, just keep adding until it won't dissolve anymore.
Step 3: Submerging the Skull
Completely submerge the skull in the borax solution. Ensure the entire skull is covered. You may need to weigh it down to keep it submerged.
Step 4: Soaking Time
The soaking time depends on various factors, including the size of the skull, the amount of remaining tissue, and the temperature of the water. A general guideline is to soak for at least 2-4 weeks, checking periodically. You may need to replenish the solution or add more borax if it becomes diluted.
Step 5: Rinsing and Whitening
After the soaking period, thoroughly rinse the skull under running water to remove all traces of borax. Allow the skull to air dry completely. You may choose to further whiten the skull using a peroxide solution, but this is not always necessary.
Step 6: Final Inspection and Preparation
Once dry, carefully inspect the skull for any remaining tissue or grease. If necessary, repeat steps 2-5.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Skull not whitening: This could be due to insufficient soaking time or the presence of remaining tissue.
- Persistent odor: Ensure the skull is thoroughly rinsed and dried. A weak bleach solution (with careful handling!) might help after thorough rinsing with water.
- Cracked skull: Avoid using excessive heat during drying.
Conclusion
Using borax for cleaning a deer skull is a simple yet effective method that yields excellent results. Following these steps carefully, while taking necessary precautions, will allow you to preserve a beautiful and lasting memento. Remember, patience is key. The process takes time, but the final product is well worth the effort.
