SKull Cleaning

[MP]

Hi, Can anyone offer advice on cleaning up Skulls ? I have been told that boiling them can get rid of any remaining bits But I do not really have the facilities for that...besides the wife would boil me I think Someone suggested burying them, but surely it will rot the bone as well ? I do not really want to bleach it totally white, as it looks a little unnatural to me that way, and as one or two have Antlers which I would like to keep there colour a bucket of bleach is not the answer either. I don`t like the idea of using anything toxic really, so am running out of options I suppose if I am honest. I have found all the skulls by the way, I am not a hunter or anything, but the Skulls do fascinate me.

With thanks Mark.

[Wild-Woman]

Bury it, mark the spot and dig it up in six months. Best and most natural way.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by MP

Hi, Can anyone offer advice on cleaning up Skulls ? I have been told that boiling them can get rid of any remaining bits But I do not really have the facilities for that...besides the wife would boil me I think Someone suggested burying them, but surely it will rot the bone as well ? I do not really want to bleach it totally white, as it looks a little unnatural to me that way, and as one or two have Antlers which I would like to keep there colour a bucket of bleach is not the answer either. I don`t like the idea of using anything toxic really, so am running out of options I suppose if I am honest. I have found all the skulls by the way, I am not a hunter or anything, but the Skulls do fascinate me.

With thanks Mark.

Have a look here:

Skull Preparation

Cheers
Jonathan

[triops]

There are many techniques for cleaning skulls, from simple to complicated. The simplest is just to put a skull in a bucket of water and leave it, occasionally draining it off to check progress. Quite quick in the summer, much slower in the winter. All that is necessary afterwards is to rinse it under the tap or hose. As for bleaching without chemicals, leave it outside in the sun. Slow, but if you've seen a skull in the field you will know what nice results are possible.

[faz]

if you or a friend have a pond out it in a string/cloth bag the pond wildlife will strip it for you best in time is spring/summer

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by faz

if you or a friend have a pond out it in a string/cloth bag the pond wildlife will strip it for you best in time is spring/summer

Might not be to great on the pond though having a rotting deer head in it.

[The Woodman]

Done that and don't recommend it!

Bury them lightly in the ground usually after a boiling and let the ground fauna do the work keeping them secure from dogs and foxes!

[MP]

Thank you for all your replies and suggestions.