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Bleaching bones without H2O2

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Jodocus:
Hi all

Off and on, I need to bleach some bone, but I loathe using those damned chemicals. Anyone know a more primitive way?

Hawkdancer:
A mix of laundry bleach and borax might work.  Or maybe just borax.  Leave them in a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight and they should bleach pretty well(real primitive, lol!). On the other hand, I've never tried the borax.  I would guess the bones need to be pretty clean, though.  I will throw a couple into some borax mix this afternoon and see if it. Works.
Hawkdancer

Jodocus:
yeah, the sunlight method is nice, but it'll have me wait till summer and I already lost a couple of pieces to cats or crows or who knows what. And it takes a looooong time.

osage outlaw:
Bleach can damage the bone.  Peroxide is the best way.  It has zero smell or fumes.  I've been whitening deer skulls in my shop for the last couple of weeks with it.  I get the stronger stuff from the beauty supply store.  It works better the warmer it is.  I use a double boiler type set up with a tub of water and a heating element.  If you decide to use the stronger peroxide just don't get it on your skin.  Wear some latex or nitrile gloves. 

The sun can whiten bones but it takes a long time.

Hawkdancer:
Forgot about the good old peroxide - works on hair, too >:D!
Hawkdancer

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