How to clean your shells in Muriatic Acid!

Hello everyone!
Today's episode will feature a Muriatic Acid Bath for some more shells in my collection. Muriatic Acid bath can really help to bring out color and vibrancy in shells that have dulled or have calcium scum on their exteriors. Enjoy!

[@lisasparkman2924]

Wow.. this was a really pretty video on acid dipping shells. I like the little clips of you actually collecting the shells. I noticed the flip flops LOL. Since I come from a rock hounding background, we use muriatic acid on the rocks to get rid of the calcium buildup. With rocks we just leave them in the acid until they stop bubbling but a shell wouldn't do that until it was gone. We also put baking soda in the rinse solution to neutralize any acid left on the rock. I don't know how you dispose of your acid solution but we put baking soda in the acid when we're done to neutralize it before disposing of it. Love the video!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend, thanks for watching! I do also have a collection of rocks from different areas(Maine, Washington State etc.) I can try some muriatic acid on them as well - thanks for the tip!

[@linds3317]

Love how these cleaned up!! They’re even more beautiful when the colors come through! 🥰🐚

[@sharonfritschie3549]

Wow!!! Such beautiful shells and beautiful colors!! ❤️

[@christineromana]

Love your channel! The green sea star is beautiful

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

It really made a huge difference. Was fun and informative to watch. Great video

[@MrsFazz68]

I could watch shell cleaning alllllll day 👍🏻👍🏻 I love the surprise element after the water wash

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@michelfrey1542]

They look really nice after the acid dip.

[@maureendaniels6389]

Great video! Thanks.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks for watching!

[@lauram5195]

Love those results. I have so many shells that would benefit from this treatment. I love that you showed some videos of finding those shells. Thanks for sharing. 🤗🐚🐚🐚🐚

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@kathycox6420]

Great video. I definitely need to do that!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thank you for watching!

[@kathyjund7212]

Thank you for the peek at your recent collection being dipped! That reticulated cowry helmet looked fabulous!! All the results were spectacular.. yes flip flops not withstanding!!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend, thanks for watching!

[@hippocket31]

What a delightful and well done video! I have watched several videos about this method and today yours turned up in my feed. I'm so glad it did! Hubby and I have been dipping shells for the last couple of weeks, ones we recently collected on St. George Island. Yesterday we did an old container of calico scallops we collected at Dauphin Island a few years ago. We've been following the acid dip with a coat of semi gloss clear spray. Just enough to give a look of wet shine to them. They look amazing! Thank you for your interesting and well done videos!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello friend, thank you for such a thoughtful comment, here. I am so glad you are finding success with this method! Happy shelling!

[@shellstories]

Looks like you had great results! I've never tried acid before as I usually stick to bleach or mineral oil. It is still really cool to see the shells transform in a matter of seconds though, thanks for sharing!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Yes it works wonders on most of them! However, some shells that seem like they would be a great candidate for a dip, don't actually do as well as hoped. Thanks for watching!

[@SWFBeachLife]

Isn't dipping fun? I've taken to keeping my mixture in a mason jar so I can reuse it whenever I want. I might try a 1:2 mixture next time. I was using 1:3 and worked fine but maybe a more concentrated mixture would be quicker. Thanks for sharing!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks for watching!

[@dianepowell5804]

Bleach soak helps with the smell I think.I use the muriatic acid,I can’t wait a year though I have to do them shortly after collection,it’s amazing.I hope this video reaches people who don’t know about the technique.I wear goggles,I seem to splash a little.Have a great week!!

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend, yes I forgot to show the goggles, but did have them - great call out and super important!

[@ChieColors]

Shells become even more beautiful after dipping it in muriatic acid solution.. I'm doing that also in some of my shells 🐚 🐚 🐚

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hi friend, thanks for watching!

[@ChieColors]

@@solaceinshelling6552 very much welcome 🥰.. hope to see you also on my Channel one day.. I have some shells there too🐚

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Important Note: Don't be silly like me and wear flip flops while doing this! 😎

[@valthompson6818]

It was great to see the wide variety of shell's you had picked up. Plus the results after they had been dipped.

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Thanks for watching, Val!

[@diannecastile8917]

Would like to see your shell collection

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello! I am trying to think of a clever way to showcase some of my collection in future content - stay tuned! Thanks for watching!

[@dianesalvato8421]

Wearing glasses of any kind is also a good idea in case the acid splashes. 😎

[@solaceinshelling6552]

Hello, yes agreed - I had my goggles on here, but forgot to show them in the initial shot! Thanks for watching!

[@susankaterman211]

I've read that cowries and other shiny shells shouldn't be dipped but you seem to have good results with them. What are you're thoughts on that? I'm new to Shell collecting and was just getting ready to dip the ones that I found recently

[@solaceinshelling6552]

I would not recommend dipping any shells with a natural gloss or finish to them - some of these shells would be Olives, Cowries, or Conch shells in good condition with a glossy aperture. With that said, if you have a Olive or Cowrie, that has been dulled naturally and just want to bring the color back, Muriatic Acid can help! Thanks for watching!

[@cathyjohnson710]

My only concern is,how do you dispose of the acid? Cant be good for the environment

[@solaceinshelling6552]

This is a great question! I don't think there is a perfect way to do this, however a recommended method is to dilute the acid mixture down with a gallon or two of water and some baking soda. Once the mixture has been neutralized, you can pour down drain while continuing to flush the running water for a minute or two. There is a great article with info on this process here - swimmingpooldaily.com/how-to-dispose-of-muriatic-acid-safely/

[@cathyjohnson710]

@@solaceinshelling6552 thanks for the reply.They turned out great!