How to Clean Seashells with the Animals Still Inside

Seashells are a beautiful decorative addition to your home as well as a prized souvenir for children or grandchildren. When you collect your own on a beach vacation or a summer home, they also hold memories, bringing you back to a carefree time. You can clean completely empty shells with just soap and water. If the shells you collect still have animals inside or even just animal remains, you must clean them properly or they will have a lingering odor.

Things You'll Need

  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Shovel (optional)
  • Freezer (optional)
  • Plastic bag (optional)
  • Large pot (optional)
  • Microwave (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Burying

    • 1

      Dig a hole in the yard about 18 inches deep.

    • 2

      Place the shells in the hole and cover them with dirt.

    • 3

      Keep the shells buried for at least two months. While they are buried, insects and worms in the soil will consume any remaining animal flesh in the shell.

    • 4

      Soak the shells in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water until the periostracum -- the flaky, leathery covering on most shells -- is gone.

    Freezing

    • 5

      Place the shells in an airtight bag or container, something you would use to cover fresh fish for freezing.

    • 6

      Cover the shells with water and place them in the freezer until they are completely frozen.

    • 7

      Take the shells out of the freezer and thaw them completely at room temperature.

    • 8

      Grab the animal in the shell once it has thawed and pull it out of the shell.

    • 9

      Soak the shells in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water until the periostracum is gone.

    Boiling

    • 10

      Place the shells in a pot with plenty of room to hold them all.

    • 11

      Fill the pot with enough water to cover the shells.

    • 12

      Bring the water to a boil and let the shells boil for a few minutes.

    • 13

      Remove the shells from the water one at a time with tongs.

    • 14

      Hold the shell in one hand with a towel or potholder to avoid being burned, and gently pull the flesh out of the shell with the other hand.

    • 15

      Soak the shells in the 50/50 bleach-water solution until the periostracum is gone.

    Microwaving

    • 16

      Heat the shells in the microwave until the flesh separates from the shell. The time needed varies widely from one machine to another, so you will need to determine the proper length by trial-and-error.

    • 17

      Hold the heated shell with a towel in one hand and gently pull out the flesh with the other.

    • 18

      Soak the shells in the 50/50 bleach-water solution to get rid of the periostracum.