How To Flatten a Curling Cowhide

published Feb 28, 2011

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Craigslist finds are what I live for. And this cowhide was one heck of a bargain. Except that the smaller ends keep curling up and I trip over them. I tried taping them down to the floor, I tried rearranging the cowhide so that the curling bits were under the sofa. Until I found out the easiest way to tame a curling cowhide.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

What You Need

Materials:
Cowhide
2 rags (for absorbing water)
pile of heavy books
spray bottle
water

Instructions

1. Lightly spray the top and underneath of the cowhide with water. You don’t need to saturate, but just dampen. I used about 5 good sprays on each side of mine.

2. Place a dishrag or old towel underneath the hide so that your floor doesn’t get wet. And place one one top of the curling piece.

3. Set a pile of heavy books on top of the curling piece and leave it there for a couple of hours, or overnight.

4. Voila. The cowhide is now laying flat and will no longer cause you tiny moments of torment.

Additional Notes:
This method is basically a way to re-stretch the hide so you can do it over and over, as needed. Big thanks to Morgan at the brick house for introducing me to this technique.

Images: Laure Joliet

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