Hi, I just started collecting animal bones such as antlers and skulls for my own use. What's the best way to remove flesh and fur from the bones without damaging the teeth? It's been suggested that I boil them for hours in a water and peroxide solution, bury them for a year years in a garden, or leave them on the roof of my house for a few months and let the sun bleach them. What do you suggest?
thanks!
anne
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Anne, Sounds like you've already gotten lots of advice. Boiling will work. If you decide to go that route then purchase some sal soda and add that to your boiling water. It will cut down your boiling time a bunch and that will increase the life of your skulls and bones. Dermistid (sp?) beetles will do the least amount of damage to the bone and clean them up nicely. They can be purchased a number of places. Or you can send your stuff to someone who will clean them for you. For any option you choose you will need to clean all that you can from the skull or bones before doing anything else. I hope some of this helps. If it doesn't you might check the archives. There's a lot there on this subject. Good luck!