¡Curtir skin ecologically is possible!
We are going to show you an alternative artisanal tanning technique, without the need for sophisticated, highly professional machinery, where they are only used as agents chemicals: Shampoo, Common salt, Alum, Chromium Salts (very small amount), Garnish oil (for leather and saddles) and Water.
This method is It is considered ecological because no polluting liquids are poured into the environment, but rather the solutions are periodically renewed by adding salts, maintaining their constant density. It is recommended for this method to use small animal skins.
Materials and Tools for ecologically tanning leather
✅ 3 bins of 100 ltr.
✅ Cement sink type of washing clothes with a faucet.
✅Galvanized sheet to support skins
✅Spatula, knife and large scissors.
✅Gloves : They are used to protect hands from chemicals.
✅Protective glasses: They are used to protect the eyes from chemicals.
✅ Mask: It is used to protect the respiratory tract from dusts and vapors.
Tanning process
Next, we start with each of the processes to tann leather ecologically:
Greening of the skins
The skins are received dry and to begin the process, you must first give them the necessary moisture, the natural moisture that the skin of the live animal had. To do this, the skins are submerged for 24 hours in a solution of water with 2.5% common salt. It must be removed periodically if there are many skins.
Defleshed
Once the 24 hour of soaking has passed, with the help of a spatula, the skin is stripped of all meat and fat. So that the leather is completely clean so that future solutions can penetrate the leather tanning process.
Washing and Bleeding
The skins are washed manually using 2cc of shampoo per skin and plenty of water. The skin is verified to be completely clean when the shampoo foams enough and it is rinsed well and with plenty of water.
Precured with Alum
The solution is prepared in 100 liter containers containing 10% alum salts and salt. common at 0.4%. The important thing is that this solution is not thrown away later, but is used for the next batches of skins. The skins remain completely submerged for 5 days, removing them 4 times a day.
Definitive tanning Chromium
It is important to note that this step can be skipped if chrome is not available. A solution identical to the previous one is prepared, but with the addition of chromium salts, where the skins remain for 5 days. This solution is not thrown away either, it is reused for the next batches of leather. After 5 days, rinse with plenty of water.
Drying and Lubricating
After rinsing, the skins drain well. The skins are dried in the shade and after rubbing them manually on the edge of a machete stuck inverted, the so-called garnish oil is applied to the meat side, then they are folded for 24 hours.
Finishing:
Oiled skins They open and should be dried again in the shade until slightly pliable. Before it dries, they must be rubbed again on the machete. After a final scrubbing, they are placed in a concrete mixer with sawdust for 3 hours, the purpose of which is to achieve the shine of the hair. They shake well so that all the sawdust falls off. Finally they are combed with a metal type comb. They are staked by nailing them with the hair inwards on a plank, always symmetrically and without applying too much tension.
And this is how proceeds to tan leather ecologically, I hope it is very helpful.
Additional recommendations:
- Start with small skins: If you are a beginner, I recommend starting with small skins to practice and perfect your technique before working with larger pieces.
- Research and experiment:There are various techniques and recipes for ecological tanning. Research different methods and experiment with different materials to find the best combination for your needs and preferences.
- Be patient: Eco-tanning is a slow process that requires patience and dedication. Don't be discouraged if the results are not perfect at first, practice and perseverance will help you improve.
- Respect the environment: Use sustainable and biodegradable materials whenever possible . Minimize water use and dispose of waste responsibly.
Final considerations
We have to keep in mind that leather tanning depends a lot on what type of skin is used. This aforementioned method works very well with the pelts of small animals, such as rabbits, otters, squirrels, and other wild animals of that size.
Larger pelts such as for cattle (cattle, deer, elk, buffalo, among others) the process is similar, but they require a little more work so that the tanning is as impeccable as possible. We hope very soon to publish another “how to” for the technique of tanning the skin of large animals like the ones mentioned above.
The aforementioned techniques are artisanal in nature, It is an alternative option for people who are interested in the making and design of leather goods and clothing.
The ecological approach to leather tanning that has been previously detailed offers a sustainable alternative in leather manufacturing, something that charges increasingly important in a global environment conscious of environmental impact. Faced with this scenario,the acquisition of responsibly tanned leather is facilitated by the option of online tanning.
One of the prominent suppliers in this area is the sale of tanned leatherCurtidos Menacho, which is presented as one of the most viable options for those interested in buy cheap leather without sacrificing quality nor ecological responsibility. The Curtidos Menacho online store offers a wide range of tanned leather, allowing consumers to select leather that not only meets their design expectations and durability but are also in line with sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.