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How to Tan a Cased Hide

Home tanning kits are available for purchase commercially, but you can also make your own tanning solution at home. The most common and least expensive method of tanning is salt and alum tanning, which has been used for decades to tan cased skins. When performed properly, salt and alum tanning results in a hide that boasts stretch and flexibility. Sometimes alum-tanned skins must be worked repeatedly to achieve this soft texture, but the effort is worth it to ensure a beautiful tanned skin.

Things You'll Need

Nonmetallic container
Ammonia or potash alum (ammonium or potassium aluminum sulfate)
Washing soda (crystallized sodium carbonate)
Salt (preferably technical grade)
Stirrer
Brush or scraper knife
Borax

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the tanning solution by dissolving 1 lb. of ammonia alum or potash alum into a bucket with 1 gallon of water. Dissolve 4 oz. of washing soda and 8 oz. of salt into another bucket with 1/2 gallon of water. Pour the washing soda and salt solution slowly into the alum solution while stirring quickly. If you pour too quickly, the solution will foam up and overflow from the bucket.
- 2
  Place the hide in the tanning solution. Leave it for two to five days, depending on the thickness of the hide. If you are tanning a thin skin, such as a rabbit skin, two days should be enough. A thicker skin like a deer hide may need up to five days. If you are not sure how many days to leave the hide in the solution, leave it in for an extra day or two, but no longer than five days.
- 3
  Clean the hide by rinsing it in 1 gallon of water with 1 oz. of Borax. Rinse it a second time in a bucket of clean water. Lay the hide on a smooth surface and use the dull edge of a brush or scraper knife to squeeze the excess water out of the hide.

Animals & Science