Panman: That's what the Borax does... it removes the oils and takes care of the hide by killing the bugs that are present and any that want to get on it and destroy it while you are treating it. Borax is the miracle tanning solution created by man other than urine. Urine was used for hundreds of years by natives in Alaska and North America partially because of the salts ... then after that they would scrub with the animals brains. Isn't Borax wonderful?