Shell Cleaning Tips

Got Shells - Now What?

Conchgratshellations on collecting some spectacular treasures after your amazing Ten Thousand Islands shelling boat tour! Most shells found on tour are already naturally clean and may just need a quick rinse and polish! Other times... they may need a bit more elbow grease to remove barnacles, stains, or smells.

If you’ve never cleaned seashells before, you will want to soak your treasures in a bleach-water solution in a bucket or sink.  1 part bleach to 3 parts water usually works well - and will kill any germs and help loosen barnacles.  Soaking in bleach water will not harm your shells or take away any of their natural color (Note: this does not apply to sand dollars, crab carapaces, and starfish!)  After soaking for 2-3 days, allow them to air dry, then use a cloth to polish each shell with mineral oil - this will bring out the shell’s natural shine and vibrant colors! Now you’re ready to display on a shelf, in a vase, or however else you like!  

Smelly Shell Tips:

Winter months bring in loads of shells, many freshly empty.  This means there may likely be remnants of soft-body tissue way up in the tip or whorl of the shell, which will SMELL - Florida Cones are the worst culprits!  Before soaking in the bleach water solution you'll want to BLAST out and remnants stuck in the very tip of the whorl. A strong water hose or pick works well for this! Then soak a bit longer than usual - change out the bleach water solution every couple of  days!

Smelly Hands or Clothes:

Winter shelling got you smelling?  Pour a little (or a lot!) of vinegar on your hands to get rid of that stench.  Add vinegar to your laundry detergent as well!    

When to Use Muriatic Acid (or Acid Magic):

Muriatic acid can be used to clean seashells that are heavily encrusted with calcium deposits, rust stains, or barnacles, but it should be used with extreme caution. To use it safely, dilute the acid by mixing one part muriatic acid with ten parts water in a well-ventilated outdoor area—always add acid to water, never the reverse. Wearing gloves and eye protection, briefly dip the shell into the solution for just a few seconds, then immediately rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. This method should only be used on hard, durable shells (like whelks or conchs) and never on fragile, polished, or colorful shells, as the acid can damage or dull their appearance.