question about some tanned hides

[Sticks&Strings]

I have several back hides from when I went to Africa. I really like the way they look, but they have an odor that is too strong to put them in my house. They have been in a bag in my garage for years. Is there something I can do to rid the smell. It seems to be more of a chemical smell than anything. Thx

[Chance Love]

Take them out of the bag and let them air out? In the garage of course. That would be my first step.

[ajm2nac]

/\ /\ x2

[PondPopper]

Mostly likely the smell is excess Formic acid. This is why a lot of skins tanned over the will suffer from acid rot over a period of time. If they were mine I would neutralize them but Like has been said airing them out will help.

[Eric Pence]

Mostly likely the smell is excess Formic acid. This is why a lot of skins tanned over the will suffer from acid rot over a period of time. If they were mine I would neutralize them but Like has been said airing them out will help.

How would one go about neutralizing a hide??

[Sticks&Strings]

Would it hurt them to rinse them off?

[rladner]

following. Have the same situation, except I've had them airing out for a while now. Not nearly as strong of smell, but still exist.

[fulmer34]

How would one go about neutralizing a hide??

im guessing baking soda? it neutralizes acid

[PondPopper]

How would one go about neutralizing a hide??

1 ounce of baking soda per gallon of water used. Soak for 20 minutes, rinse and let drain. They will dry a little stiffer and will need to be broke again.

[Sticks&Strings]

How hard is it to break them again? I have been letting them air out in my garage for the last 3 days and now my garage is unbearable. These things stank!

[npe001]

How hard is it to break them again? I have been letting them air out in my garage for the last 3 days and now my garage is unbearable. These things stank!

Depends, do you have kids? lol

[Texastaxi]

Am I the only one that likes that smell?

[Dusty Britches]

Yes, TexasTaxi - you are an abnormality.

We got a hide back and it didn't smell bad, just super strong. We hung it for weeks in the garage to no avail. Finally, I hung it in the wind and sun outside. Within a few days it was almost gone. I think the sun broke it up. Also, we did bring it in at night.

[Sticks&Strings]

These are going outside today. My garage may never recover

[PondPopper]

These are going outside today. My garage may never recover

The smell may also be naphthalene. This is a chemical used as a bug proofing that is put into crates in Africa. Stinks to high heaven.