How to Clean and Polish Seashells

Look for seashells at your favorite location. This could be a beach near your home or a vacation spot. You can also purchase seashells from craft stores or online sources.

Avoid picking seashells with living marine organisms inside. Respect nature and refrain from disturbing live shells. You can identify this by flipping the shell and spotting a creature inside.

• Check local regulations to ensure you're not collecting prohibited shells. For example, in U.S. waters, harvesting queen conch shells is illegal due to their protected status, as they are vulnerable to overfishing.

Determine if the seashell is alive or dead. A live shell will have animal tissue attached to it. This differs from shells inhabited by other living organisms where the animal tissue is dead. A dead shell has no animal tissue inside.

• Identifying whether the shell is alive or dead will determine the cleaning method. For instance, live shells require the removal of internal animal tissue.

Boil the seashells to remove animal tissue. Boiling or simmering live shells loosens the tissue, making it easier to extract. You'll need a pot, tweezers, or a dental tool to remove the tissue. Here's how to boil and clean live seashells:

• Place the shells in a large pot and cover them with cool water, about 5 cm above the shells. Use room-temperature water and add the shells before heating to avoid sudden temperature changes that may crack the shells.
• Bring the water to a boil. Let it boil for about 5 minutes. For multiple or larger shells, extend the boiling time slightly.
• Use tongs to remove the shells and place them gently on a soft surface, like a warm towel.
• Carefully use tweezers or a similar tool to extract the animal tissue and discard it.

Bury the live seashells. This method may take the longest, but many prefer it to avoid damaging the shells. Boiling, freezing, or manually removing tissue can crack the shells. Burying live shells in a safe location protects them from damage and naturally removes the tissue. Ants, bugs, and other insects will consume the organism and clean the shells. Here's how to clean shells by burying them:

• Dig a hole in the ground. Ensure it's wide enough to accommodate all shells with ample spacing between them. The hole should be 45-60 cm deep to prevent animals or humans from disturbing the shells.
• Place the shells in the hole with even spacing.
• Cover the shells with soil.
• Wait several months for insects, larvae, worms, and bacteria to remove the tissue. The longer you wait, the better the results.
• Dig up the shells and check if the tissue has been removed.

Freeze live seashells. Freezing will kill any remaining animal tissue inside the shells, making it easier to remove. Here's how to clean live seashells by freezing them:

• Place the shells in a ziplock bag. You may need multiple bags if handling many shells.
• Fill the bag with water until the shells are completely submerged.
• Put the bag in the freezer.
• Leave it to freeze for a few days.
• Remove the bag from the freezer and let it thaw completely.
• Take out the shells and remove any remaining tissue.

Soak the shells in water for about a week. The water will dissolve dirt on the shells, leaving them cleaner and brighter after a week.

• Change the water daily. The shells will be even cleaner if soaked in fresh water.
• You can also boil the dead shells after soaking to ensure all dirt or tissue is removed.

Clean seashells with bleach. Bleach will effectively remove dirt, debris, and animal tissue from the shells. However, some collectors warn that bleach can damage the shell's color and leave a permanent bleach odor. Here's how to clean seashells with bleach:

• Mix equal parts water and bleach in a pot, ensuring the shells are fully submerged.
• Soak the shells in the solution. You'll notice a flaky layer peeling off, which is the periostracum, or organic outer layer, of the shell.
• Once this layer is removed, take the shells out of the solution. Use a toothbrush to scrub off any remaining dirt.
• Rinse the shells thoroughly and let them dry completely.
• Apply baby oil or mineral oil to restore the shell's shine.

Use toothpaste to clean seashells. Toothpaste is a gentler alternative to bleach for cleaning shells. Here's how to clean seashells with toothpaste:

• Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to one side of the shell.
• Let the toothpaste sit on the shell for at least 5 hours to work. You can leave it overnight for better results.
• Once the toothpaste becomes sticky or hardens, use an old toothbrush and warm water to scrub the shell. Pay attention to small cracks and hard-to-reach areas.
• Rinse the shell thoroughly under running water to remove all toothpaste residue, ensuring a smooth and polished finish.

Remove barnacles from seashells. If barnacles are attached to the shells, use dental tools, a soft toothbrush, or a wire brush to scrape them off.

• This method works best if the shells have been pre-cleaned by soaking in water or bleach.

Apply mineral oil to each shell to add shine. Wait at least a day for the shells to dry, then coat them with oil.

• Mineral oil not only restores the shell's shine but also helps preserve it.
• Alternatively, you can use WD-40 spray on the shells. Remember to wear gloves when handling this material.

Spray varnish on the seashells. You can use PU wood varnish spray or clear nail polish. This type of varnish preserves the shell's natural appearance while enhancing its shine.

• Work on one side of the shell each day. Allow the shell to dry completely before working on the other side. Each side may take a day to dry.