FA+
Shop
Bone Collecting 101 : Dos and Don'ts
13 years ago
Quick Topic Jump:
Helpful Topics/Informative Readings:
Rules
Maceration DOs and DONTs
General Laws Regarding Animal Remains
Buy, Sell, and Trade Information:
Buy
Sell
Trade
Bone Crafter Catalog
User Reviews
We will definitely be adding to this list as we work on our reference sections. As for right now I'm only going to add quite obvious "rules" to bone collecting/cleaning, Only because I'm pretty much writing this off the top of my head. ADMINS! This is where I need help. Feel FREE to add to this/edit any information that might not be correct. And Members, If you have anything to say, feel free to share information!
- Clean and sanitize any bones you find outside, even if you don't want them to be bright white. It's important to make sure for sanitation purposes to clean items you bring indoors. Remember: bones were once part of a living animal that has died and rotted. Bacteria and microbes will be present.
-Always wear rubber gloves when handling uncleaned bones! You never know what microbes and other things are lurking in the tissues of dead animals. It is still important to wear rubbers when handling "fresh" dead animals (roadkill and whatnot) as diseases may still be present.
- Know the legal status of your bones. Although it's doubtful anyone online will successfully report you, (it sure isn't our, as admins, business what you do.) you should recognize that some things are illegal to own in certain areas. We aren't saying you should throw something out. Just be wary about what you flaunt around. A general list for the United States can be found HERE
- When cleaning skulls take photos of the teeth! Once they start to fall out you'll thank yourself when you have a starting point to work from when you put the teeth back in their places. White Elmer's glue works perfect to put the teeth back in.
- Whiten bones with 3% peroxide (or if you're getting really serious, Basic White hair bleach & 40 volume mixing cream- which are available at beauty supply stores, and require heat to activate), oxiclean (without chlorine!), or natural sunlight! These methods will not damage your bones.
- When letting bones macerate, or decay using insects, PROTECT THEM FROM RODENTS! (This one is from jesie) Rodents are omnivores and part of the natural decomposition cycle. If you want insects to eat at your bones cut small holes in the containers the size of a pen or pencil. If a mouse can get it's head in, it can get it's body through.
- Always wear gloves when working with "dirty" bones. You never know what germs/bacteria/microbes might be present.
- Always take the extra step to degrease your bones. Grease left in bones can cause stains and bad odors.
- DON'T BOIL! Boiling bones will cause oils to seep into the bone and cause stains that might bot come out, even if you degrease the bones!
- DON'T BLEACH Chlorine eats calcium and will cause bones to become brittle and frail!
- Don't macerate indoors! Unless you have a room with a good ventilation system and live alone you should not do this indoors. Rotting flesh STINKS! Just take it outside.
- Don't fully submerge deer skulls (with antlers) in peroxide or Oxiclean solutions! This will strip the colour out of the antlers, there is "Antler Stain" available, but why give yourself more hassle?
Again. This list is VERY short... So if anyone has anything to add, please share! We're here to educate, but I for one am only experienced. Not an expert.
DOs- Clean and sanitize any bones you find outside, even if you don't want them to be bright white. It's important to make sure for sanitation purposes to clean items you bring indoors. Remember: bones were once part of a living animal that has died and rotted. Bacteria and microbes will be present.
-Always wear rubber gloves when handling uncleaned bones! You never know what microbes and other things are lurking in the tissues of dead animals. It is still important to wear rubbers when handling "fresh" dead animals (roadkill and whatnot) as diseases may still be present.
- Know the legal status of your bones. Although it's doubtful anyone online will successfully report you, (it sure isn't our, as admins, business what you do.) you should recognize that some things are illegal to own in certain areas. We aren't saying you should throw something out. Just be wary about what you flaunt around. A general list for the United States can be found HERE
- When cleaning skulls take photos of the teeth! Once they start to fall out you'll thank yourself when you have a starting point to work from when you put the teeth back in their places. White Elmer's glue works perfect to put the teeth back in.
- Whiten bones with 3% peroxide (or if you're getting really serious, Basic White hair bleach & 40 volume mixing cream- which are available at beauty supply stores, and require heat to activate), oxiclean (without chlorine!), or natural sunlight! These methods will not damage your bones.
- When letting bones macerate, or decay using insects, PROTECT THEM FROM RODENTS! (This one is from jesie) Rodents are omnivores and part of the natural decomposition cycle. If you want insects to eat at your bones cut small holes in the containers the size of a pen or pencil. If a mouse can get it's head in, it can get it's body through.
- Always wear gloves when working with "dirty" bones. You never know what germs/bacteria/microbes might be present.
- Always take the extra step to degrease your bones. Grease left in bones can cause stains and bad odors.
DON'Ts- DON'T BOIL! Boiling bones will cause oils to seep into the bone and cause stains that might bot come out, even if you degrease the bones!
- DON'T BLEACH Chlorine eats calcium and will cause bones to become brittle and frail!
- Don't macerate indoors! Unless you have a room with a good ventilation system and live alone you should not do this indoors. Rotting flesh STINKS! Just take it outside.
- Don't fully submerge deer skulls (with antlers) in peroxide or Oxiclean solutions! This will strip the colour out of the antlers, there is "Antler Stain" available, but why give yourself more hassle?
Again. This list is VERY short... So if anyone has anything to add, please share! We're here to educate, but I for one am only experienced. Not an expert.
The rubbers part is very important too.
Ammonia (up to 50% diluted with water) is what I use; usually takes anywhere from 8-20 days, depending on how greasy the bones were to start with.
Don't use actual bleach ._.
Thank you for this, I am just beginning working with bones. I plan to begin articulating skeletons, and will be selling tooth jewelry to gather funds to get bones :D