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Safely handle, clean, and prepare animal bones for display
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Bones and skulls make great decor and jewelry, but it’s important to clean them first to make sure they’re safe to handle. The process may be slow, taking anywhere from several weeks to several months, but it’s pretty straightforward. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps on how to clean bones, provide several alternate cleaning methods, and answer common questions about the bone cleaning process.

Cleaning & Whitening Bones
- Remove all soft tissue from the bones.
- Scrub the bones with an old toothbrush dipped in soapy water.
- Soak the bones in fresh soapy water to remove grease and oils.
- Soak the bones in equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water for 24 hours to whiten them.
- Lay the bones outside for several days to dry them completely.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
How to Clean Bones
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Wear rubber gloves when handling the bones. Throughout each step of the bone cleaning process, it’s important to wear gloves, as you’re working with bones, other animal matter, and tissue. This will help protect you from any viruses or bacteria the bones or tissue may contain, as well as from any harsh chemicals you use during the cleaning process. Be sure to throw the gloves away when you’re done with your project so the animal matter doesn’t contaminate anything else. [1] X Research source
- Even if the bones look old and clear of soft tissue, they may still carry diseases, so wear your gloves until you’ve properly cleaned them yourself.
- Depending on the stage of decomposition, it may be a good idea to wear a respiratory mask as well.
- Cleaning bones is a long and smelly process that can take several weeks or months. If possible, work outdoors in a well-ventilated area, preferably somewhere downwind of your windows and doors (and neighbors).
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Remove any soft tissue. Whether the specimen is fully or partially decomposed, most bones will need to be thoroughly cleaned of any soft tissue so they’re safe to handle and don’t smell. It’s best to let the material decompose naturally, either by burying the bones in the ground or by soaking them in water for several months. [2] X Research source
- To soak the bones, put the corpse in a plastic container with a lid or a garbage bag, then cover it with cold water to soften the tissue and tendons. Keep the container somewhere children, pets, and wild animals can’t access it and check on it monthly to see how it’s coming along.
- Burying the bones is less smelly, but often makes the decomposition process take longer. If possible, leave the corpse above-ground for a few days before burying it to attract flies and maggots that will eat the flesh. Then, bury the corpse and leave it alone for at least 3 months.
- If you’re burying an entire corpse, consider wrapping the animal in wire mesh to help keep all the bones together in one place.
- While these are often the best ways to remove soft tissue, there are plenty of other methods, as well. Check out the next section for other ways to clean bones.
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Scrub the bones with soapy water. Once all the soft tissue has been removed, fill a container with water and dish soap. If your bones are relatively small, scrub them with a toothbrush. If they’re larger, use a scrub brush . This will help remove any grease, oils, and odors that have collected on the bones during the decomposition process. [3] X Research source
- This step is called “degreasing.” Some bones will need more degreasing than others. For example, pigs, boars, bears, and possums produce a lot of oil and will likely need to be degreased.
- If your bones are yellow, clear, or shiny, they probably need to be degreased.
- Depending on the condition of the bones, some small bones, like teeth, may fall out during this process. Hold onto them so you can glue them back in after the bones are clean and dry. [4] X Research source
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Soak the bones in fresh soapy water for 24 hours. The degreasing process isn’t over after you’ve scrubbed the bones clean. Fill another container large enough to contain the bones with clean water and dish soap. Submerge the bones for at least 24 hours to continue removing grease and oils. If a lot of grease collects at the surface, change the water and continue soaking the bones until they’re fully degreased. [5] X Research source
- Fat leaks out slowly, so repeat the scrubbing and soaking process until no grease remains.
- If you have the time, leave the bones in the soapy water for even longer, like 1-2 weeks.
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Soak the bones in hydrogen peroxide to whiten them. Rinse the bones and place them in an empty bowl or container. Then, wearing gloves, add a 1:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water until the bones are entirely submerged. For best results, use a hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of at least 20-30% . Cover the container with a lid and let the bones soak for up to 24 hours. If you’re happy with the whiteness, take them out, rinse them, and let them dry. [6] X Research source
- The water will start to bubble and foam, which lets you know that the hydrogen is working.
- Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration over 20% is considered laboratory grade, so it may be difficult to obtain if you’re just cleaning bones as a hobby. In that case, a hair developer with 12% hydrogen peroxide will also work. Regular 3% hydrogen peroxide can work as well, though it typically takes a lot longer to whiten the bones.
- If the bones aren’t white enough after 24 hours, change out the hydrogen peroxide mixture and soak them for another 24 hours.
- If your bones are particularly large, it would take a lot of hydrogen peroxide to fill a container big enough to hold them. As an alternative, mix 1 cup (160 g) of baking soda and a bit of hydrogen peroxide to create a thick paste. Wearing your gloves, use an old toothbrush to apply the past to the bone. Let it sit for 24 hours, then rinse.
- Never use bleach to whiten bones. Bleach will destroy the bones and leave them brittle and flaky.
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Leave the bones outside to dry for several days. Never put bones on a radiator or other heat source because the extreme heat can cause them to become brittle and crack. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Instead, place them outside away from direct sunlight and anything that would disturb them. Depending on their size, it may take several days for them to dry completely, so check on them every day or so to see how they’re coming along.
- If your bones still look “dirty” after you take them out of the water and hydrogen peroxide, don’t worry, as this is completely normal. Once they dry, they should be the right color.
- If you can’t leave the bones outside due to the weather, set them on newspaper in an out-of-the-way area.
- If any teeth or small bones fell out during the cleaning process, use a small amount of white glue to glue them back in place after they’re dry. [8] X Research source If the bones are large or the white glue doesn’t seem to be strong enough, super glue will also work.
- If you notice any remaining soft tissue in tiny crevices, use tweezers or another small apparatus to remove it. Be sure to dispose of the tissue afterwards.
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Store your bones in a cool, dry area. Once your bones are dry, they’re ready to display. There isn’t an exact temperature at which you need to store them, but it should be relatively cool and shouldn’t fluctuate too much. Rapidly changing temperatures and high humidity can cause bones to swell and shrink repeatedly, which can eventually cause them to crumble. [9] X Research source
- Display your bones on a shelf, in a box, or by mounting it on the wall. They also make great gifts.
- If you’re feeling creative, turn small bones into jewelry.
- People even sell bones and skulls for a fair amount of money. Small raccoon skulls can sometimes go for as much as $85, depending on their condition.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionFound a porkchop bone in the yard completely free of flesh and guts. Scraped out the dirt maybe a little too well. Any other prep before I put it on my shelf?Roxie WhitmanCommunity AnswerYou should degrease it if you haven't already, or if you want it to be whiter, you should leave it in hydrogen peroxide for about a day.
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QuestionWhat to do if end of long bone is not cleared from soft tissue in case of embalm cadaver? Also, I have 2% H2O2, how do I use it ?Community Answer1. You can try the boiling method to get rid of the soft tissue. 2. You can use 2% hydrogen peroxide instead of 20%, it just takes much longer to whiten the bones. You will have to change the 2% hydrogen peroxide every time it gets used up.
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Tips
- Be mindful of your neighbors and family when you’re in the process of clearing away the soft tissue from bones—the process is extremely smelly. Work in an outdoor space when you can.Thanks
- Bones and skulls can make great decorations and even pieces of jewelry.Thanks
- Ask an adult for help if you’re a kid. Some of the tasks involve chemicals that could be harmful to you if not handled properly.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If you're unsure about the legalities of possessing certain bones, consult local laws and regulations.
- When drying bones, avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to warp or crack.
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Warnings
- Always wear rubber gloves when working with hydrogen peroxide. It can turn your fingers white and damage your skin.Thanks
- Never use bleach on bones. It’ll damage the integrity of the bones and could ruin them completely. [19] X Research sourceThanks
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Things You’ll Need
- 20% or higher hydrogen peroxide
- Rubber gloves
- Respirator or face mask (optional)
- Water
- Plastic container
- Lid for container
- Bones to clean
- Old toothbrush
- Dish soap
- Baking soda (optional)
- Wire mesh (optional)
References
- ↑ https://www2.nau.edu/tct/skullprepuofa.pdf
- ↑ https://www2.nau.edu/tct/skullprepuofa.pdf
- ↑ https://northernwoodlands.org/blog/article/cleaning-skulls
- ↑ https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.skull
- ↑ https://animalarchaeology.com/2018/02/12/the-bone-collector-building-a-personal-reference-collection/
- ↑ https://www2.nau.edu/tct/skullprepuofa.pdf
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7415797/
- ↑ https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.skull
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/canadian-conservation-institute-notes/conservation-faunal-bone-antler-ivory.html
- ↑ https://www.liveoutdoors.com/hunting/248361-4-ways-to-clean-bones-and-breakdown-flesh/
- ↑ https://animalarchaeology.com/2018/02/12/the-bone-collector-building-a-personal-reference-collection/
- ↑ https://www.liveoutdoors.com/hunting/248361-4-ways-to-clean-bones-and-breakdown-flesh/
- ↑ https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/11-07.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9526416/#:~:text=Bleaching%20with%20sunlight%20had%20the,only%2028%20days%20of%20exposure .
- ↑ https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.skull
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources/public-health/disease-precautions-hunters
- ↑ https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-and/climate-and-mummies#:~:text=They%20found%20that%20high%20humidity,the%20mummies%20in%20the%20collection .
- ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/3888017
- ↑ https://www2.nau.edu/tct/skullprepuofa.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Bones can make unique jewelry and decorations, but you’ll want to clean and disinfect them first. Start by soaking your bones in warm water mixed with a scoop of biological washing powder, which you can find in the laundry aisle at your grocery store. Biological washing powder has enzymes in it that will break down any tissue left on the bones. After you've soaked the bones for 3 to 4 days, rinse them with clean water, then scrub them with an old brush and a warm water and hydrogen peroxide solution. This will disinfect them and make them whiter. Once you’ve scrubbed them clean, mix a bowl of warm soapy water and soak them for another 12 hours to get rid of their fatty oils. Finally, leave the bones outside for a few days to dry. Always remember to wear protective gloves when handling fresh bones to protect yourself from bacteria. For more tips, including how to store your clean bones, read on.
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