How do I Clean the Moss Off of Dead Turtle Shells?

Cleaning the moss from a dead turtle shell is quite simple and can be done with typical household items.

When turtles are living in water, it is common for algae to grow on their shells; this is not harmful and actually shows the turtle is getting a good amount of light. If you want to salvage the shell once a turtle is dead, getting the moss to come off is quite easy.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Bleach or dish soap
• Toothbrush or stiff bristle brush
• Gloves (optional)

Instructions

1. Gently rinse the turtle shell with water and remove any excess dirt and moss that is not too attached. This can be done by hand after the turtle has been removed from the shell. If the moss is not very thick, this might get a majority of the moss off. Also, if the shell is being kept out of water additional moss won't grow on it.

2. Scrub the shell with a toothbrush or another coarse bristle brush to remove moss stuck in cracks and crevices.

3. Wash with bleach or another cleaning agent. The best way to clean it is with bleach if the shell is not going back into water with other living things Wear gloves and dip the brush into a cup of bleach and scrub the entire shell. Only use bleach if the shell is not coming into further contact with anything living; bleach can kill other fish if not fully washed off.

4. Rinse the shell thoroughly to ensure all moss and cleaning agents are rinsed off. You can use a pressure washer set to a low level to blast the shell clean. A garden hose or faucet will work just fine if the shell is small or this option is not available.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to handle bleach carefully. Wear gloves, wash hands thoroughly and wear clothing you won't mind getting permanently stained.

References

• All Turtles: Turtle First Aid
• Turtle Stuff