How to Clean Seashells

A seashell that is found already dead with no animal tissue inside is actually a lot easier to clean than most people think.

If there is still a creature inside, try freezing it in a baggy of water, defrost it and the creasture should slide out with help from tweezers

Outer covering (algea and peristracum)- Take the seashells and let them soak in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water over night.There is no set time to letthem soak because it varies by the type of shell and quanity being cleaned.Just make sure you remove them after hte perostracum is gone.(Periostracum is the flakey leathery covering that covers most live seashells.)

Barnacles- If after bleaching there are still some barnacles and other matter on the seashells you can use an instrument such as a dental pick to pick off the material. Picks can be found at http://www.seashells.com/. Other useful tools are a water pick, toothbrush, and a grill brush.

Rough lips- If the lip of your seashells are chipped or rough and the natural state is not important to you, one may use a rotary grinder or file to smooth down the lip. Another great tool that can be used is a Dremel.

Shining-If you wanted to give your seashells a luster you can then wipe them with a mineral or baby oil.

MAKE SURE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR WHEN CLEANING SEASHELLS

Preserving a Starfish

The best way to preserve a starfish is to soak it in 70% isopropyl alcohol overnight. After doing this let it dry out real well on a papertowel, of in the sun if possible. wieght down the legs so it does curl as it dries.