Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Mesophilic on July 25, 2020, 07:20:20 pm

Title: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Mesophilic on July 25, 2020, 07:20:20 pm
Anyone got a tried and tru method to clean the stinky from skunk hides?

Recently trapped a couple skunks, got the hides fleshed, salted, and dried.  But they still smell terrible.

Can I use some bicarbonate along with a little detergent?  I was thinking maybe a little oxyclean or even some baking soda mixed in the wash.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: jeffhalfrack on July 25, 2020, 08:22:27 pm
Blue dawn peroxide and baking soda soak best I can think of change water ,,,they make a nice pelt if you get the stink out jeffw
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: osage outlaw on July 25, 2020, 08:24:24 pm
I bought a nice skunk hide from the big auction site cheap enough that I'll never attempt to tan one myself.  It was almost scent free.
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Pat B on July 25, 2020, 09:56:02 pm
I had a bow with skunk silencers. They didn't stink until they got wet and then the perfume was awakened.  :o
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: YosemiteBen on July 26, 2020, 11:25:44 am
What Halftrack said
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Mesophilic on July 26, 2020, 11:39:16 am
Blue dawn peroxide and baking soda soak best I can think of change water ,,,they make a nice pelt if you get the stink out jeffw

Thanks, guys, I'll give it a shot and see how it goes.

Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Mesophilic on July 26, 2020, 04:15:46 pm
Update:

Hides smell somewhay better.  I didn't have unscented Dawn so now they smell like apple blossom wet skunk.  But it is an improvement.   Kind of like a truck stop restroom after a millenial cleans it...smells better but still has the cloying smell of unmentionables underneath the no name pinesol.

All in all it is a good experience.   My daughter assisted in skinning critters for the first time, and showed an interest in the tanning process.   Though going forward it's quite probable that I would opt to just purchase professionally tanned skunk hides. 
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: DC on July 26, 2020, 04:57:25 pm
The pro's must get rid of the smell somehow or do they euthanize their skunks?
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Marc St Louis on July 27, 2020, 03:59:05 pm
A water/vinegar solution gets rid of the smell
Title: Re: Cleaning stinky from skunk hides???
Post by: Hawkdancer on July 27, 2020, 11:08:21 pm
Ozark legend says tomato juice will do the trick!  Caveat - I never tried it!  I prefer my tomato juice with vodka! >:D (lol)
Hawkdancer