Bare Bones Solutions bone degreaser is a safer and easier alternative to using ammonia. It is cheaper than ammonia per skull with other advantages:
-
No strong or harmful smell
-
Helps whiten blood-stained bone
-
Speeds up the degreasing process
This product is a mix of a saponifier and solvent. The saponifier will turn grease to soap. It was created with chemists and tested across Canada. It is specially made to be gentle on bones and protect collagen, which gives bone flexibility and durability. Bones that were cleaned with this product in August 2024 show no signs of degradation.
How to Use:
-
Wearing gloves and other PPE, Add 3.5 grams of the product to every litre of water (or 12-15 grams for every gallon), and mix vigorously (5 grams is approximately 1 teaspoon).
-
Add bones to the solution.
-
Heat consistently to the correct temperature for the species (see below).
-
Change the water when it looks dirty or oily.
The product comes as a dry powder that stores well on the shelf. When mixed with water, it has a light, soapy smell. Keep product sealed when not in use. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Disposal: Follow all local, regional and national laws.
Recommended Temperatures:
-
Mammals: 44–48°C/111-118°F (use lower heat for young or fragile bones)
-
Birds, fish, delicate or young bones: Keep at or below 30°C/86°F
Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), label and tech data sheet for safety or technical information.
Why degreasing bones matters and how it works
Bones hold fat in different areas, especially inside the sponge-like part in the middle called the cancellous bone. This fat primarily comes from marrow tissues. Over time, the fat seeps through to the outer layer of the bone. When this happens, it can leave the skull looking greasy, sticky or odorous. Dust sticks to it easily. That’s why it’s often a good idea to remove this grease.
There are six ways remove grease from bones:
-
Saponifiers – break down fat into soap.
-
Surfactants – lift grease and help it mix with water.
-
Oxidizers – break down organic material.
-
Enzymes – eat away fat and tissue.
-
Water – helps carry things away.
-
Heat – render fat and helps cleaners work faster.
Each of these tools are helpful but have downsides. Using the improper technique can damage the bone minerals or collagen. When collagen is damaged, the bone can become brittle, soft, or powdery.
