How to Clean Seashells & Use Bleach | A Few Tools, Tips, and Tricks

Please note: I use 1:1 ratio of water to bleach. The final solution is 50% water (I add it first) and 50% bleach, and should be an amount that completely submerges your shells.
Sorry everyone, no shelling video today! The Easter crowds have been crazy in this popular slice of coastal heaven, so I've been staying away for almost a week now! It has given me time to catch up on some house-hold chores, though!
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[@watchesfromedges]

When you pour the bleach away, is the water going into drainage for used waste water (bathwater, dishwasher etc) or a rainwater drain? Are the house drains separated where you are? In the UK bleach water should be disposed of through the house waste system for treatment and not into the groundwater drainage, just mentioning it for those in different areas, although I don't know if bleach is OK in a closed septic tank. Love how the shells come out!

[@Reet64]

It’s a better idea. If you’re worried about grit going down the pipes just use a sieve with some cheesecloth to filter it out.

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Bearseyeview 👋🏻🐻 Oh, I actually didn't consider that 😓 looking online, it seems that a lot of informational sites from the UK say what you say. I did find one Australian site with this information: "Outside drains protect the house from excess moisture and prevent flooding during storms. These external drains aren't isolated but connected to your internal plumbing. So a drain blocked with dirt, stubborn debris or mud can create major issues for the rest of your property." So being "connected to internal plumbing" I'm guessing means that our outdoor drains also go to sewage like everything else in the house. But, for places like the UK, yes, I suddenly realise that this should not be washed out in an outdoor drain. Thank you for putting this comment here for everyone, it is something I did not consider, or even think was different in other parts of the world. I appreciate you, thank you 🥰

[@katherinesills3852]

Maddie, I agree with your other viewers. Please do not put the shells back in to the ocean after you have spent so much time and energy cleaning them. Just let your viewers know how we can send you funds so you can send us some shells. I hope to visit Australia one day but the shells may get to Savannah first. Please keep up the great videos!❤❤❤❤

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day again, Katherine 👋🏻❤️ Hehe, the ones going back are quite rough and/calcified. Sometimes I take a bunch of shells home because I'm too tired to sort them at the beach, so I put them all in my bag. I know, a bad habit! And some shells are hard to tell if they will clean up well or not at all. To be honest, they really aren't worth the effort to pack and post when they're like this. I'd rather pick some really nice ones and do a giveaway every once in a while (like right now with the 1000 subscriber giveaway) 😉 Thanks just how I feel about it anyway, but maybe I've become a little jaded 🤣 Thanks again for watching something really different today. I appreciate you coming to support me while I avoid the over picked beached and ridiculous Easter holiday crowds 😅🥰

[@tonistephic]

I would take the ones you will put it back in the ocean. They are too beautiful to put back. Thanks for sharing how you clean the shells. Thank you, Maddie and have a great day.

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Toni 👋🏻💖 Haha, ahhh thank you for your wonderful enthusiasm 😁 some of these shells become quite dull, and you can see the calcification more easily on them after a bleach bath. They are worth the effort and postage to send... If I sent you shells, they would be much nicer than the rejects!! Thank you for watching something really different today, Toni 🥰 I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day. I hope everything is going smoothly for you at home 💖

[@pamdudley6153]

What a job!!! I use old dental picks I got from my dental hygienist. I really like that tool you have! 🛠️ Isn’t it fun discovering the shells all over again after you clean them? 😮 It is such a fun hobby! Thanks for the informative video and glad you wore a mask. 😷 Good safety! 🥰🥰🥰

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Pam 👋🏻💖 Hehe, it's not too bad if a job: I just let it pile up for far too long 🤣 I feel like you maybe know how that is, too? Oh, an old dental pick would be very similar to what I use, maybe a little thinner? I bet to works really well! My little tool is apparently made in the USA, which I always thought was interesting 🤔 Hehe I do like discovering them again 🤩 though sometimes they are a little more calcified that I hoped they would be 😅 oh yes, I wouldn't want to not wear a mask 😷 Ooooh that's right!!! At the time, I though the mask didn't work because I was coughing after using it, but that was the first day of my week-long cold 😷 haha, I remember why I didn't finish this video a month ago, I was too fatigued 😆 Ahh, I went on a tangent, but it's funny what suddenly pops back into your mind. Pam, thank you so much for watching something quite different today, I'll be back to the beach to find some shells next time though 🤩🥰 Thanks for watching!

[@trudymcewen9801]

Hello Maddie, Finally I get to watch your video. A hectic day for us. I am happy I never had to clean the seashells that I found. You sure had a lot of shells. Interesting video. Take care. XXOO. TRUDY

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Trudy 👋🏻💖 Oh no, it sounds like you've all been run off your feet over there. Take a good rest for a while, I think you've earned it. Luck to not have to clean any seashells!! I don't mind though, it just needs a little time and attention 😉 yes, too many shells... I have about 9kg that need to go beach to the ocean 🌊 I didn't have a shelling video for you this time, but definitely next time 🐚 Thank you for watching something so different today 🥰 As always, I'm keeping you and Bob in my thoughts and prayers 🙏

[@alisonh890]

Hi Maddie, it was interesting to see how you deal with the small rocks/shells that get stuck in the shells you find. Even after washing you are very artistic in displaying the shells, I think this is definitely your signature, I love it. Xxx

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Alison 👋🏻❤️ In the end, the rocks are pretty simple to deal with when you have a suitable tool! This is also one reason why I like moon snails though, they usually done get stones stuck in them 🤩 Bean Trivias are the worst though 🤣 Hehe, I think I just like to group things together. Thank you so much for watching something a bit different today, Alison 🥰 I'll be back to the beach next time to show you some great seashells 🐚 (hopefully the Easter crowds have left a few for me 🐇)

[@nikoletastavropoulou5515]

Beautiful video, Maddie .

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Nikoleta 👋🏻💖 Oh goodness, thank you ❤️ I really appreciate you watching something so different today. I will be back to the beach to find some seashells next time 🥰

[@shannaprissyleamon1311]

Cool! Very informative! Hopefully one day I'll actually find beautiful shells to clean! 🙋🏻‍♀️💜

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Shanna 👋🏻🐚 Hehe, I know you'll find some great ones!! Maybe your next holiday will be somewhere tropical with shelling opportunities ⛱️ though, some countries do not allow you to take shells out of airport customs, like Thailand for example. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@aussiedirtdigger755]

Hi Maddie Great to see how you clean your shells. Thanks for the insight

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Aussie Dirt Digger 👋🏻🪙❤️ It's certainly a process!! It's best for the cones and trumpets shells, they usually have an outer layer still on them 🤔 Anyhoo! Thank you so much for coming and supporting a really different video today 💖 I'll be back out to shelling next time; I've just been avoiding the crazy Easter crowds for a whole week... I'm so restless, I want to go shelling 🐚🐚🐚

[@kaylecotton5301]

Morning Maddie, great video. It's nice to see how you clean your shells. I would love to see how you choose the ones you keep😊. Love from my family to yours ❤❤❤

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Sheila 👋🏻💖 Thank you, I really made something quite different today, so I appreciate you coming here to check it out 🐙☺️ For my own display, I get a bit picky and choose the shiniest cowries and the nicest moon snails/bonnets. I basically narrow it down by thinking about how rough the shells are, if their lips are chipped, etc. I have decided on a limited space to keep my shells, so I need to find myself to be ruthless with what I keep. I'll be doing a shell display tour in the next week or two, perhaps?- I just finished my set up (for now) 🤩 Thank you so much for watching 🥰🐱🐱🐱🐱

[@LovelyRita2222]

They turned out beautiful!💕

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Lizzett 👋🏻🐚 Oh my goodness, thank you! A bleach bath can do wonders for those shells that still have an outer layer on them from their initial shell growth while alive 🤔 Thank you so much for watching something a bit different today! I'll be back to the beach to look for seashells next time 🥰

[@katherinesills3852]

Thank you Maddie for making this video😊. It is really helpful to know how you clean your shells. I enjoyed the video very much. I don’t know that shells where so tough. I look forward to your next shelling adventure!!🥰🥰🥰

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Katherine 👋🏻❤️ I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the video, I tried to keep it moving a pace that hopefully wouldn't be too boring 😅 but thank you so much, I'm really glad that it was informative and not dull to watch 🤣 Oh gosh, yes, some shells are super tough!!! So aren't though, and can break a lot more easily. Those orange Drupes though, they are like Supershell (Superman, but a seashell 😲). I'll be back to shelling next time 😎 I have my fingers crossed that the Easter crowds have left a few goodies at the beach for me 😁

[@SeashellsandSeaweeds]

Super informative and helpful! Thanks Maddie!! I also use my Weeder from my Cricut Maker to pick build up off my scallops and stuff! Also I did enjoy your (little shakes) video! You still gave us much to enjoy and honestly it didn’t even bother me. Side note!!! Use rubber finger tip covers! You won’t stab yourself… as much 😂😂

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Mykel 👋🏻💖 Thank you for watching something quite different today, I'm glad that you found it informational. Someone was mentioning that using the outdoor drain may not be suitable in some places where it goes straight to storm water or a septic tank, rather than sewage like here 🤔 Ohh, your little tool would work too! Someone also said that they use a dental pick. Oh goodness, I'm glad you didn't mind the shaky video too much 🤣 I think it was barely passable... I think I became a little better at managing it as the day carried on. I'm glad that I could have a video up to keep people company on Easter Sunday if they needed it. I hope you had a terrific weekend 💖 Rubber finger tips are a great idea!! Haha, I've only stabbed myself two or three times (not too hard) after de-pebbling hundreds of shells. I feel like I'm doing pretty good 😅😆 maybe?? Thank you so much for watching something totally different today 🥰 I'll be back to shelling at the beach next time 😎👍🏻

[@guadalupeknippen528]

Maddie, this was so interesting. Thanks for sharing, this will be very helpful for when I bring home shells from a beach vacation in Mexico. 🐚🐌🐕🥰🇺🇸

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Guadalupe 👋🏻💖 You're very welcome, I hope this will really spruce up your shell finds when have your next vacation 🤩 some mineral oil (or baby oil) on the shells afterwards is really useful too. Thank you so much for watching something quite different today 🥰

[@erinhurt6341]

I have a bunch of shells that are kinda meh; I never thought to clean them. I'll have to give it a go.

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Erin 👋🏻❤️ Hehe, sometimes meh shells just get even more meh 😑 but sometimes the crusty ones can clean up nicely 😉 and sometimes they don't 🤣 no harm in giving it a go if you have some time! Thank you for watching something different today, Erin, I'll be back to a new shelling adventure next time 💖 I've just been avoiding the beach and it's Easter crowds for a while, phew, it's been bananas 😅❤️

[@cathyscism1817]

I'll take the ones you don't want!!

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Cathy 👋🏻🐚 Haha, I don't think I'm willing to post them off, they're not quite worth it 😅 after coming out of the water and getting a bleach bath, it's easier to see which shells are actually quite dull and/or in poor condition. Thank you for your enthusiasm though, and thank you for watching my little cleaning video 🥰

[@sharlenehreinson5316]

Don’t stab yourself, nothing wrong with OCD and Park bike tools make a pick like the one you have. Thanks for another video.

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Sharlene 👋🏻❤️ Hehe, good words to live by! Ohh, Park bike tools?? I will need to look for that brand; it would be nice to have a tool that I can recommend instead of the mystery metal pick that I spirited away from my Dad's toolbox 🧰🤣 Thank you, and thanks for watching something a bit different today 🥰

[@ekcraddock]

“The main thing to remember is to not stab yourself” 🤣🤣🤣

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

Hey E&K 👋🏻💖 Good words to live by!!! I've always wondered, what do you use to get the stones out of cowries and cones?

[@ekcraddock]

@@SandCoffeeRocks we have been using a basic corkscrew, which works well, but I recently also purchased a dental toolkit from eBay for $9.99 that has great tools!

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

You're the second one to mention dental tools to me now 😲 Maybe I nee to keep my eye out for something like that; stop "borrowing" my dad's tools 🤣

[@carolwise547]

Wire brush was a good tip

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Carol 👋🏻🐚 I'm glad you liked this tip, it was actually a recommendation from a friend for how to clean up these encrusted orange Drupes. The shell would have to be very durable and very encrusted for this method to not feel like you're ruining something though 🤣 haha! Thank you for much for coming along to check out something a little different today 🥰

[@katrinalodge6055]

I use white vinegar for crusty ones with stuck on stuff I soak for about 30mjns or so and it comes of really easy...

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G’day Katrina 👋🏻❤️ Oh wow, it sounds like I should have done that 🤣 another commenter in a different video mentioned using white vinegar; they said to dip it as if it’s like a more gentle muratic acid, and that it wasn’t a good idea to soak shells in it. Maybe I’m not remembering that right... how large were the shells you soaked? I will really need to try this vinegar method one day soon. Thank you so much for watching 🥰

[@katrinalodge6055]

@@SandCoffeeRocks yes it's safer than the muratic acid and works really well...and super cheap 😀

[@katrinalodge6055]

I also reuse my bleach and white vinegar solutions I keep in a jar or plastic container they keep working on multiple uses, I just top it up.. I've done it on medium and small shells as my large havnt needed it..but the vinegar is strong enough to dissolve shells completely if you soak over night 🌙 😅 as I found out

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

Oh my goodness, I'm sorry to heard that your shells just disappeared like that!! I will keep it in mind for my future shell cleanings. For re-using the bleach, I find that my bleach solution becomes quite dirty and less effective after soaking the shells. I think it is the periostracum on the cones, trumpets, and triton shells that do it... The bleach works extra hard to eat through it on the shells, and then what left is just floating around in the solution. For me, I don't think I can re-use it ;)

[@tomepic]

I loved this episode I had no idea how to approach shells till watching your video I will be trying this one the weekend Great tutorial loved the beautiful collection Where in Australia are you finding these shells

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Tom 👋🏻🐙 Ohh I'm really glad that you found this video useful 😲 Definitely give it a try. I didn't mention, but after bleaching, some shells do look quite dry, lack colour, or maybe show up some calcification. In that case, you can rub a tiny amount of mineral oil on them, or baby oil from the grocery store. I wish you all the luck for your weekend cleaning. If you have any questions, please send a message and I'll hopefully have some more insight for you 🤩 Thank you so much for watching something different today 🥰

[@tomepic]

@@SandCoffeeRocks thank you for the oil tip . I will go get. I am uploading a shell video today. I was just waiting for my youtube partner approval to be accepted and its on today . I did a shell collection on two remote beaches and wow- no one been here to find shells so have some cleaning to do. I will also purchase a industrial polisher to polish some abalone shells and some you will see on the video if you have time to watch it. Thank you for the advice as I don't know any names or tips on shelling but our beaches in South Africa have so many shells and I stay at the beach= so def a cool hobby . Will be learning more from your videos

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

Congratulations 🎉🤩 on your Partnership!!! Oh, that makes sense, I should have put off some uploads until it was squared away too 🤣 Awesome that you were able to get that sweet 1000. I look forward to seeing your next videos 📸

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

Oh Tom 😳 I didn't answer your question ⁉️ I go shelling in Queensland, Australia 🦘. Lots of great shells in Australia; I'm in a region that's about a 1-2 hours drive north of Brisbane (Queensland's capital city).

[@tomepic]

@@SandCoffeeRocks Great thank you for the answer. I have a brother that stay in Cooktown up north and my mother stay in a town called stanthorpe . I plan to visit soon . I posted a new shell video today

[@merriezahra8747]

Oh no don’t put them back send them off to us your loyal viewers. I would love one.

[@SandCoffeeRocks]

G'day Merrie 👋🏻🐚 Hehe, thank you for your enthusiasm 🤣 I'm not really sure that they're worth the trouble and postage to send them off; I'd rather have a few nice ones to do as a giveaway every-so-often, like what's happening right now with the 1000 subscriber giveaway 🎉 Thank you for watching this video, it was really different today 🥰