How to clean seashells:

This is just my basic technique, the internet is full of several different ways to produce the same results, but I find this to be the easiest and most efficient way to clean and care for your beloved seashore treasures.


You're going to need a few things before you start, most of which can be found around the house.

Tap Water (sink, shower, garden hose, etc.)

Bleach

Bowl (large enough to fit your shells into)

Dish Soap

Toothbrush (any small scrubber will suffice)

Paper Towels

Mineral Oil

After you have collected your shells and materials needed, you can begin.


You want to prepare your shells for cleaning, by rinsing them with fresh water. This will get rid of any extra sand and debris that's left inside your shell.


After they are thoroughly rinsed, fill a bowl with equal part bleach/water. Less is more with the bleach in this case. You don't want so much bleach that it deteriorates your shell, but you need enough to clean/kill any live tissue or germs left inside. Gently place your shells into the bowl, and let sit. The amount of time these should soak for is dependent on what type of shell you have. Use your best judgement to determine how fragile your shell is, and how much "filth" needs to be removed.


Example: Sand dollars are VERY fragile, they should be cleaned thoroughly before bleaching, because you only want to bleach them for about 10 minutes. Most other shells are strong enough to leave them for a day or two to soak.


Once you are happy with how clean your shells are, it is time to dump the bleach and gently rinse your shells under running water. When all the bleach is rinsed away, use a small amount of dish soap and the toothbrush to scrub each shell clean. (If there's barnacles or anything encrusted to the shell, most times you can just pick it off after its been bleached, because all the animal life has been removed.)


Rinse your shells one more time to remove all the suds, and allow to dry on a sheet of paper towels.


After the shells are completely dry, you can use a small amount of mineral oil and a soft cloth (paper towel) to give your shells an extra shine.