Things You'll Need
Basin
Bleach
Water
Cleaning rags
Baby oil or mineral oil
Collecting seashells for many is both an enjoyable pastime and a way of adding decor to the home. When putting shells on display, you want them to look their best, making it important to keep your small treasures from the sea clean and shiny. After an initial cleaning, occasionally apply a protectant to the shells to keep them shining for years to come.
Step 1
Soak dirty shells in a basin filled with an equal mixture of water and bleach. Let the shells soak for a few hours or overnight until most residue dissolves.
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Step 2
Discard the water, rinse the shells and wipe down with a cleaning rag. Use an old toothbrush to get into hard to reach crevices. Lay the shells flat to dry.
Step 3
Drizzle baby oil or mineral oil onto a cleaning rag and rub into the seashells well. Either oil gives the shells an attractive shine that will last for a long period of time.
Step 4
Reapply the oil as needed when the shells begin to dull. The oil may need to be applied every few weeks or every few years, depending on how often the shells are handled.
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