cleaning pelts

[foxtrot]

If you have a fox pelt that is extremely soiled do you wash the fur before it is stretched?If so do you wait until it dries before stretching?Just wondering what the easiest and best procedure is.

[Pa Goosehntr]

  I'm not the expert here as most of mine can be cleaned with a garden hose but then again most of mine get washed off in a stream....some utilize car washes, and some folks have old washing machines modified and dedicated to washing fur....it comes down to what works for you and how much time you intend to dedicate to it. I like to clean my critters while still on the carcass...the washing machine method is after the fur is off of course.... A good pet brush is a good investment also.

[Misterjake23]

Sounds like a lot of work,,,,, thats why I sell mine on the carcus !!

[Leglifter]

Id wash before you stretch. Maybe a little dawn dish washing liquid too. Get it as clean as you can, wring it, snap it, and towel dry very well. How dry you get it before you put it on a form, will affect the turning time on a fox.

[Hern]

Agree with double L.
Skun it, water and Dawn in bucket, then rinse with clean water.
Go outside, snap it, wring it and twirl it around to get excess water off.
Put a fan on it over night to dry fur. Then place on stretcher.

Some guys I know wash every Fox and Coyote they kill. The above washing is how they do it.

[foxtrot]

Thanks for the tips..

[Pa Goosehntr]

  You have heard from the experts....heed their experience!! 

[foxtrot]

I have never washed fox pelts in the past but they sure look nice when there dry and combed out.An old wringer washer would work good.

[a bolt]

Yep what Hern said I wash all my fur .