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Natural Hide Tanning Methods

A wide variety of natural tanning methods are available for hobby and occupational tanners, though it's important to remember that no tanning formula is completely foolproof. Inexperienced tanners should not expect professional results on their first few hides, as the cleaning and curing processes are primarily manual and practice will typically yield better results.

Salt and Alum Tanning
- An old and popular method of tanning hides with the hair on, salt and alum tanning involves the application of an ammonia alum and salt solution over a hide, usually soaking or submerging it completely for anywhere from 2 to 5 days depending on the hide's thickness. Alum does affect some furs, however, and when possible a scrap of the hide should be tested. Alum tanning can produce stiff results which may need to be worked or even re-tanned to soften them.
Alcohol and Turpentine Tanning
- A simple method best suited to small hides, alcohol and turpentine tanning involves taking equal parts wood alcohol and turpentine and mixing them in a large-mouthed container with a tight-fitting lid. The hide is immersed in the solution and left for 7 to 10 days, shaken periodically over the course of each day. The hide is removed and washed with dish soap or laundry detergent to remove the tanning solution.
Brain Tanning
- Brain tanning involves taking a mixture of 1 pound of brain (pig may be the easiest to purchase, though horse, deer and cow are all acceptable) with 2 gallons of warm water. The hide should be immersed in the solution and soaked overnight. After carefully squeezing the excess tanning solution from the hide, it should be stretched over a frame or nailed to a board, and worked with a smooth, flat tool -- such as a canoe paddle -- pushing and stretching it until it dries. The hide should then be hung for several hours in a smokehouse to dry and cure.
Oiling and Finishing
- No matter how you tan your hide, you will achieve a superior look and feel by oiling and finishing it. This can be done by applying a coating of neatsfoot oil thinned with warm watter and household ammonia evenly over the leather of the hide with a paintbrush. When this is done, the oiled hide should be covered with plastic sheeting or carefully folded so the flesh sides touch, and allowed to stand overnight. The following day, the hide should be allowed to to dry normally, and be stretched over a frame or nailed over a board. Before the hide is completely dry, use a smooth, rounded tool to work the hide, stretching it from corner to corner. The longer and more thoroughly you work a hide, the softer it will be.

Animals & Science