I've skinned a few animals last year but all the hides got hardI took all the flesh off to a nice white shine on the back, and salted them as I read online (i'm sure salting didn't help keep them soft) But I live in the mountains and i'd like to do it the quot;rusticquot; way, I've heard Native americans chewed hides to soften them, but that was without the hairI want to have nice soft pelts that can be used as rugs, blankets etcCan someone give me a list of ways to (without chemicals like lye) to get a soft pelt?
Always wash dark colors in cold water - it will prevent fadingUse a mild detergent, preferably something made specifically for darks or blacks(i.e., Woolite Dark) If the fabric is particularly delicate, wash it by hand with cold water and BoraxNever put black clothing in the dryer, it will only make the clothes fade quickerInstead, hang them to dry Only wash when necessary, excessive washing causes fadingAvoid kneeling or doing work on your knees while wearing dark color pantsIt'll fade out the knee areaAlso washing your dark clothing inside out will help avoid fading.
Wash them in cold water on the gentle cycleAnd try not to put too many clothes in the washthey will stay in just bought condition foreverAlsodrying fades jeans a lot tooIf possible dry them on the auto dry setting
you hire a gang of dark pants and throw em in bleach
I know this isn't really rustic, but I use mineral oil on mineYou have to rub the oil into the bare side of the hide and then work it and beat it until completely dry and the oil is absorbedI've heard people say not to use mineral oil, but it works fine for me and allows you to keep the hair intactYou only need a little, because oil causes the fibers to soften and distend and you don't want the leather to tearAlso, if you don't like the idea of mineral oil, a lot of people recommend pure Neatsfoot oil or some sort of tallow.
