Question about a deer hide

[wizardgoat]

I got a couple deer hides in trade some time ago.
One got a little wet and dank, smells like hide glue.
Maybe a dumb question, can I put it in a washing machine?

[Pat B]

I don't know why not. Id use clod water though. Hand washing with Dawn would probably be as effective without leaving hair, etc. in the washer.

[aaron]

"No, honey, I have no idea why our clothes would smell like roadkill, why?"

[Pat B]

...not the kind of "natural scent" you want with your cloths. 

[aaron]

I would start with a bucket of warm water with a little bleach...soak it for a day.If you are gonna braintan it,  Next I would buck it (soak in wood ash lye) and then neutralize/acidify. Then freeze.

[wizardgoat]

Should of mentioned, the hides are already processed. They were roadkill deer, and they were quite stiff. They've been folded up for a while, so there's pretty heavy crease marks.
You think soaking in some bleach over night, then letting dry out flat on some plywood would maybe solve both problems? I just don't want to ruin it

[wizardgoat]

The wife is pretty used to my odd smells

[aaron]

what do you mean "processed"? Already tanned, or just rawhide? If they are tanned and smoked, I'd handwash 'em with a tiny bit of soap and dry them quickly but without heat- like wring well , spread on a towel and put a fan on 'em inside. Once dry, pull them soft.

[wizardgoat]

They are just rawhide Aaron. It's just been so cold and wet I worry they won't dry quick enough.

[aaron]

if they're rawhide, then I'd just soak in a cold mild bleach solution for a day, then soak in plain cold water for a day, then wring them thoroughly, line dry with a fan on 'em or just freeze. to wring them, look at the method on wilderness college dot com.

[Oglala Bowyer]

Do you plan on tanning them?  If so, the smell will come out if you smoke it...that is if you smoke it. I've done that to all my funkadelic hides. Works every time

[wizardgoat]

Good info thanks guys

[BowEd]

Wizardgoat....For future storing you should just get it flat.Rewet it in a plastic barrel with preferably soft or rain water till good and loose and lace it into a frame to dry.You did'nt state what your intentions are for it.Brain tan/chemical tan/or hair off rawhide.

[wizardgoat]

I'm hoping to keep it raw, hair on, used for quivers and stuff. It's soaking right now

[aaron]

oh, it has the hair ON? you never said that!!
might be hard to get it dry.
good luck!