salt is applied to all parts of the skin to completely dry it out. Drying out the skin will slow the process of decomposition. This process is usually done twice or three times. Brining or pickling Once the salting process is done, the hide is ready for brining. Brining is the chemical process that further enhances the curing process of the alligator. This is to remove any bacteria or elements that could attract bacteria, as that is what causes decomposition. To brine the hide, usually a mixture of bleach, borax and salt is added to water in a plastic drum. The alligator is then soaked in the solution for about 48 hours to completely remove any non-tannable proteins. Neutralizing For optimum tanning acidity levels (pH level 4 or 5), sodium bicarbonate is added to the pickle solution. Throughout the pickling stage, the water must be a room temperature level. The hide is then returned to the plastic drum for another 20–30 minutes. Degreasing Degreasing is the process of removing any left over fat from the hide so that there is no chance of oil or fat stains. This can be done with a degreasing product or heavy duty washing liquid. The hide is placed in another plastic drum with the product or washing liquid and warm water. Tanning Two of the most common ways to most common tanning methods and which method Alligator hide requires: Vegetable tanning Vegetable tanning uses the natural tannins that are found in plants, tree bark and other natural sources. This process produces brown leather that is soft and malleable. Although it is great for products such as bookbinding or early plate armour due to its softness, when in contact with water, the leather tends to shrink in size, as it is unstable. This is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to tan leather as no additional acids or chemicals are used. Chromium tanned leather Chromium tanning is the most popular tanning method as 90% of all leather in the world is processed this way. Alligator hide is also tanned using the Chromium process. A reason many tanneries choose to use chromium is due to the final leather product being more durable and stretchy, ideal for leather accessories and garments. The process includes submerging the hide in a toxic slush of chromium salts and chemicals to create a light blue product that is supple and