When most twelve-year-olds stumble upon a skeleton in the wilderness, their first instinct is to run. But not Dianne.
“I found an animal skull on a walk and was immediately fascinated,” she says. “There was something beautiful about it—delicate, structured, almost sculptural. I brought it home, cleaned it the best I could, and displayed it like treasure.”
That discovery would become the unlikely foundation for The Bone Cleaner, Dianne’s popular blog and online resource dedicated to the craft of animal bone cleaning and preservation. What started as a personal curiosity evolved into a niche expertise—one that now educates thousands of readers around the world on how to ethically source, safely clean, and beautifully display animal remains.
“I never imagined bones would become my life’s work,” Dianne laughs, “but here we are.”
Cleaning Bones, Properly: An Art Rooted in Respect
At the heart of Dianne’s work is a commitment to doing things the right way. Not just for aesthetics, but for safety, longevity, and out of deep respect for the animals themselves.
“Most people don’t realise there’s a science to cleaning bones properly,” she explains. “If you rush the process or use the wrong materials, you can ruin a beautiful specimen.”
The process she teaches—documented extensively on her blog and in her downloadable eBook—involves a careful, step-by-step approach. It starts with manual preparation to remove soft tissue, followed by maceration, a process in which bacteria are allowed to naturally break down the remaining flesh in warm water. The next step is degreasing, which can take weeks using warm soapy water or ammonia. Finally, the bones are whitened using 3% hydrogen peroxide (never bleach), then thoroughly dried and optionally sealed.
“Bleach is the number one mistake I see beginners make. It might whiten bones initially, but it weakens them badly. They crack, turn chalky, and disintegrate over time,” Dianne warns. “Hydrogen peroxide is much safer—it keeps the bone’s integrity intact.”
Even in describing the process, her tone carries a reverent gentleness. She’s not just cleaning bones—she’s preserving stories.
Ethically Sourced, Legally Clean
Dianne is quick to point out that bone collecting isn’t a free-for-all. Regulations around animal remains can be strict, and her emphasis is always on ethical and legal collecting.
“You can’t just take bones from a national park. It’s illegal in most states,” she says. “Protected species are completely off-limits, even if they’re already dead. And disturbing active nests or fresh kills isn’t just unethical—it can attract legal trouble.”
Instead, she encourages readers to contact local landowners for permission, avoid collecting protected species, and always double-check state and federal wildlife laws before taking anything home.
“Most of the time, landowners are happy to let you take a carcass off their property,” she notes. “They just don’t want it attracting flies.”
Her blog includes detailed guides on navigating these legal considerations, a key reason why it’s become a trusted resource among hobbyists, educators, and even aspiring taxidermists.
Learning Through the Lens of Decay
While some may find the practice macabre, Dianne sees it differently. For her, bone collecting is a form of education and conservation. It’s a tactile, hands-on way to learn about anatomy, animal behaviour, and the life cycle of the natural world.
“There’s so much to learn from a skeleton,” she says. “You can see how an animal moved, what it ate, even injuries it may have had. It’s nature’s history book.”
She shares stories of homeschoolers using her guides to teach biology, and of one mum who wrote in to thank her after her kids successfully cleaned and displayed a bird skull they’d found.
“It sparked a love of science in both her children,” Dianne beams. “That’s what it’s about—curiosity, discovery, and care.”
Dianne believes we’ve grown too distant from nature’s realities. In a world of digital screens and processed products, engaging directly with the process of death and decay brings a refreshing honesty.
“Death isn’t something we should fear or hide. It’s a part of life,” she says. “And bones, to me, are beautiful reminders of that cycle.”
Low-Tech, High-Patience Innovation
One of the most compelling aspects of Dianne’s work is how accessible it is. She doesn’t use expensive tools or complicated lab equipment. Many of her setups are DIY solutions: tubs with aquarium heaters for maceration, insulated Eskies to keep degreasing water warm, and household items repurposed with ingenuity.
“I’m all about low-tech solutions that work,” she says. “You don’t need a lab to do this properly—you just need time, the right know-how, and a bit of patience.”
And patience is key. Some degreasing sessions can take over a month. Large skulls, like kangaroos or pigs, require repeated treatments and constant monitoring.
“This isn’t a weekend project,” Dianne laughs. “It’s more like slow art. But the end result is so worth it.”
Changing Minds and Misconceptions
Dianne’s work hasn’t been without raised eyebrows. Bone collecting, for some, carries associations with morbidity, witchcraft, or taboo. But part of her mission is to shift that perception.
“People think it’s creepy. But once they see the process, they realise it’s actually about care and preservation,” she says. “I don’t see bones as death—I see them as what’s left behind after a life lived.”
She compares it to taxidermy or museum curation: preserving a natural object to admire, study, and learn from. In fact, many of her readers are biologists, artists, and educators who view bones as both scientific specimens and artistic materials.
“There’s a quiet reverence to it,” she adds. “It’s not about collecting trophies. It’s about preserving nature’s design.”
Looking Forward: A New Era of Natural Learning
So where does Dianne see this niche craft heading?
“I think bone collecting is becoming more accepted, especially in educational circles. It’s being recognised as a hands-on way to teach anatomy and ecology,” she says. “There’s also a growing interest in ethical sourcing and natural history—people are craving authenticity.”
She envisions a future where schools incorporate bone preparation into STEM learning, and where families reconnect with nature not just by hiking or camping, but by understanding the structure of the animals they encounter.
“I’d love to run workshops one day—get people together in a safe, respectful environment to learn the craft,” she muses. “There’s something powerful about handling a skull, cleaning it properly, and seeing it shine again. It changes how you look at the world.”
Where to Begin: Getting Started with Bone Cleaning
For those curious to try it out, Dianne recommends starting with small, legally collected specimens like rabbit skulls or bird bones. Her blog, The Bone Cleaner, is full of free guides, and her eBook offers a complete walkthrough for beginners.
“You don’t need fancy gear. Just patience, respect for the animal, and a willingness to learn,” she says.
She also encourages people to reach out with questions or photos of their projects.
“I love seeing what people are working on. Whether it’s a perfectly cleaned skull or a half-decomposed mystery bone they need help identifying—send it my way!”
