Methods for preparing an animal hide for chrome tanning are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments include treating the hide with a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polysulfide. This treatment facilitates improved removal of hair from the hide. Furthermore, one or more embodiments include various combinations of treating the hide with a third enzyme, a liming agent, a pH-modifying agent, one or more sulfides, and one or more soaking agents. In addition, one or more embodiments include sanitizing the hide and liming the hide to further facilitate the processing of the animal hide into leather.

Methods for dehairing of animal hides and skins are described. The methods can include treating the hide or skin with a dehairing formulation that includes at least one carbohydrase enzyme and treating with at least calcium hydroxide and further utilizing at least one reducing chemical during the dehairing step. A dehairing formulation is further described.