By
eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Seashells
- Liquid Bleach
- Soft Rags
- Mineral Oils
- Silicone Lubricants
- Soft Toothbrushes
- Bowls
- Buckets
- WD-40
Step1
Wash the shell out with a garden hose or in the kitchen sink. You want to remove whatever is still inside or you will likely smell your mistake later.
Step2
Mix a solution of 50 percent household bleach and 50 percent water. Soak the shell in the solution for 24 hours to remove any remnants of the inhabitant.
Step3
Rinse the shell thoroughly in running water. Scrub gently with an old toothbrush and mild dishwashing soap.
Step4
Allow the shell to dry completely.
Step5
Use a soft rag to rub mineral oil onto the shell and let it soak in for a few hours.
Step6
Wipe the excess oil off and enjoy!
Comments
Anonymous said
on 3/20/2006 The cheapest way to check if there are no critters in the shell is to bury it in hot sand for a day and then look inside.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If I find a stinky shell (already in my collection or from the beach), I rinse it, then pack it with Arm & Hammer baking soda and put it in a coffee can filled with a bed of wet newspaper. Leave it set overnight, then rinse it in the morning. This only works if there is only residue or a hermit crab inside. Live shells with the original creature have to be handled separately.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Whenever I find a shell or rock at the beach that I want to treasure forever, I boil it in a small saucepan for about 5 to 10 minutes. This ensures that the shell is clean and no critters remain inside.