Skull Cleaning Help

[Bean Counter]

So I'm doing my first euro / skull cleaning on my coues deer from last year. I have pretty much all the meat and flesh off the skull but the stench pervades. I have done everything from simmer it in Dawn dish soap, bury it in the back yard for several weeks, soak it in water for days on end, and finally I now have it out in the 70 degree sun  I don't want to do any more simmering/boiling because its obvious that some of the bones have weakened in the heat I've already subjected it to 

I haven't yet done the whole peroxide thing, however that works(?) Next thing I'm thinking to do would be to put a cap full of bleach or so into some water and soak it in that. Not sure where the smell is coming from but I don't like the idea of it attracting pests inside the house 

Anybody? 

[Michelle_Nelson]

You don't want to use Bleach.

Is there any grease showing up in the skull?  I'd say put it back in some Dawn dish soap and water for another week or so.  Changing it every other day.  On the 7th day rise it real good, than place it in clean water over night.  Rinse again and put in fresh water again over night.  It will dilute the soap that is in the bone.

Go to a Beauty Supply Store and buy some 40 Volume Hair Developer and the powder that goes with it.  Mix it up per directions.  Paint that stuff heavily on the skull.  Get it up inside the skull and brain cavity.  Once the skull is completely covered wrap the skull up in plastic wrap and place it in the house where it is warmest.  After 24 hours or so rinse it off with hot water and let it dry.  I always soak my skull in hot water for about 30 minutes to disolve the peroxide.  If it is not white enough after it is dry, wet the skull and apply the paste again.

[Michelle_Nelson]

The Peroxide in the Hair Developer should get rid of the smell.

[sirmissalot]

Boiling can ruin the bone and bleach will ruin the bone. How much flesh is left? The smell should go away after degreasing and whitening

[Bean Counter]

Thanks to all who have PM'ed me and posted replies 

Boiling can ruin the bone and bleach will ruin the bone. How much flesh is left? The smell should go away after degreasing and whitening

That's what I was thinking.  99+% of the flesh is gone. I have no idea what remains in the nasal cavity. I thought the bones were supposed to be left in there for artistic value but I'm wondering if people tear them out, clean up in there, and glue 'em back in?

The Peroxide in the Hair Developer should get rid of the smell.

THANK YOU! What I really needed to know.

[Michelle_Nelson]

 I have no idea what remains in the nasal cavity. I thought the bones were supposed to be left in there for artistic value but I'm wondering if people tear them out, clean up in there, and glue 'em back in?

If you try to remove them you will destroy them.  You won't be able to glue them back into the skull.

[wolfie]

next time you boil a skull try putting a scoop of laundry detergent in the boiling water...it gets ride of the smell and whitens it just as good...i did it to my beaver skull and my white tail and they came out perfect, smelling good and white ...i didnt have to use hydrogen peroxide or bleach

[TheHunt]

     Some soap I used oxy clean and it worked really well.

[Special T]

When you get the peroxide part. Take some kind of bottle, My Bro in law used a antifreeze bottle, cut out the side and put the peroxide in. he then used paper towels wet with peroxide and draped over the skull. this helped wick up the peroxide and keep the skull wet. It really helped whiten the skull. Good luck, and post some pics!

[cedarriver]

 You might try blowing out the nasal area with air compressor(gently). Never tried it myself but have seen others that have, looks good. Smell should dissipate after the peroxide treatment as long as you have all the meat off and brain cavity cleaned.

[bucklucky]

If you properly degrease your skull (120-125 degree water and dawn dishwashing soap for a good month month and a half sometimes more just depends on the skull)  that in itself should take most of the smell out . I got like 15 deer and elk in the degreasing tank now for I think the last degreasing and not one of them have a stink to them. Once they get submerged into the liqued peroxide (3% works just fine) you wont have anymore smell to the skull. I macerate all my skulls by the way. I would not use oxi-clean, I did some experiments with it and was not that great. Much better results with straight 3% peroxide or watered down 35% peroxide.