How to Clean a Deer Mount With Smoke Damage

Taxidermy, specifically deer mounts, must be handled with great care while being cleaned. In order to carefully clean your deer mount, gather the following materials:

• A soft-bristled brush or paintbrush
• A clean sponge
• A bucket of water
• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Clean cloths
• Cotton swabs
• Glass cleaner

Follow these steps to carefully clean your smoke-damaged deer mount or other taxidermy:

1. Remove Lingering Dust
   Use the soft-bristled brush or paintbrush to remove as much of the dust, debris and soot as possible.
2. Create a Solution
   Mix three drops of dish soap in a bucket with warm water, agitating it to create a sudsy solution.
3. Gently Clean
   Saturate a clean sponge in the soap solution then squeeze out the excess solution so it is damp but not soaking wet. Use a wiping motion following the lay of the hair to clean the mount. As you clean, continue to rinse and squeeze the sponge frequently.
4. Deodorize
   After you have successfully wiped down the head, use a cloth dampened with white vinegar to further clean and deodorize. The vinegar will continue to remove any lingering smoke odor as it dries on the mount.
5. Clean the Eyes
   Dip the cotton swab in glass cleaner and dab the eyes to remove existing soot and debris.
6. Dry
   Allow the deer mount to air-dry.

At Rainbow Restoration, our IICRC-certified teams are equipped to remediate smoke damage and fire damage, improve the air quality and remove lingering smoke odors from your home. Some of our locations even offer contents pack out and content remediation services.

If your home has suffered smoke damage as the result of a fire or smoke event or if you’re seeking cigarette smoke damage solutions, choose Rainbow Restoration. Call or request an appointment online to get started.