✩~*Shine up your shells!*~ ✩

Bright up your dull shells without the use of harmful and dangerous chemicals! This simple trick with mineral oil is quick, easy, and safe to use, even for kids!
For more shelling tips and tutorials just like this, virtual shelling videos, and monthly giveaways, check out the Virtual Shelling Network!
www.virtualshelling.com

[@hinengge]

Thank you for this tip. I used coconut oil on some shells I carved and this brightened it up and left it soft to the touch.

[@azlorent2184]

I really appreciated your natural approach to shell cleaning! Now I know what to do with the shells that were given to me.

[@bonniericica6895]

Thank you for this information Laura!

[@michellepham4916]

Thanks for the video! I was worried about the acid method and I've been looking for an alternative.

[@rmuller366]

Excellent video Laura! That acid scares me so this is the perfect solution and I use it with all my shells now. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Rita Muller I don’t like acid either - I order saver methods! You’re very welcome! 🧜🏻‍♀️☀️

[@kmelliott61]

Omigosh! Thank you so much for this video...I needed to see this in action. ♥️

[@agds91078]

Great video friend!! Much love from eastern Kentucky

[@luana1600]

It's so cool to see someone do the same thing that I've always done, mineral oil on my shells! 🐚

[@daggermouth4695]

Lol your not the only two people. It's common known thing and millions of people have been doing it for many years. " so cool to see someone do what I've done " Haha you're funny I garantee everything you've ever done or ever will do has been done. 👍🏻 have a good day

[@jenniferbeasley2397]

Looks nice I used a little make brush after watching this and they shine very nice thanks for sharing

[@sweethaven1929]

Thank you , for this info ...

[@Anonymousslay]

Thanks it actually worked😁

[@TheNumbaOneMiss]

How do you polish Cowrie shells? I have a few that are just lackluster and I want them to shine. I've tried baby oil on them, which is mineral oil and fragrance. It seemed to work for a couple but it's not staying.l. i want a high gloss.

[@plantplanetearth509]

What about coconut oil or essential oils? That would smell great!

[@tqsractivist1072]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@simplybjscreations3115]

thanks for sharing!

[@mr.jangles293]

You have a very pleasant voice.

[@tommieopell1009]

When they sit for a few days does the calcium buildup return?

[@trinidadcindy3908]

Thank u for tips

[@noemyboucher3430]

Hey would it work with olive oil ?

[@glicelglicelmoralesmorales7951]

interesting... thanks.so much

[@hshillier]

Great video Laura. I have used the acid and as you said it's so toxic and then hard to dispose of. I'll definitely give mineral oil a try.💕🐚

[@lauracatherineofficial]

You'll be much happier with mineral oil!

[@shesridindirty]

Hope your doing okay in the wake of Irma, love the advice and video🐚🐚🐚

[@tamijordan1380]

Laura, I live in Oregon in the mountains....Any suggestions on where might be the best place to but seashells?

[@OceanLife772]

I am blessed and live within walking distance to the beach in Florida. I have plenty of seashells if you are interested. Send me a message. I actually have plenty of the pink ones.

[@katrinalodge6055]

I use coconut oil on mine it's really natrual looking, if I need said I use white vinegar for 20- 30 mins or bleach...depending on the shell

[@myoreo2]

Great thx! Off question but what is with the color stripes on the back of your hand? I've seen this before...is it some kinda shelling code lol?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

I’m a makeup artist and only use beach proof products! Those are lip color watches, 100% waterproof and protect from UV! You can learn more on my sister channel: KZbin.com/beautyandthebeachwithlaura or join my fun Facebook group! Www.Facebook.Com/groups/beautyandthebeachwithlauramanson

[@kyoelai8744]

But can we use hair serum

[@Trinity0702]

Can I use acrylic nail polish instead of spray? Or use clear nail polish in general? Thank you for all your help!

[@jennklein1917]

I did this after a while the polish browned and chipped off. Use vinegar to clean, rinse in running water warmish water. Then dry on a heater on paper towel. When dry, massage a little baby oil.Then I put them back on the heat, so the oil absorbs right into the calcium .Then a quick wipe with a tissue.

[@SatyrosJayIronHorse]

can I use olive oil

[@marinastrom2134]

Can you clean them without chemicals like soup

[@artiejohnson703]

WoW, I am so happy I watched your video. Mineral oil is a lot safer than acid. Thanks so much for sharing your video with all of us. Great video

[@me-wholovesfictionalcharac5656]

How do you do it your amazing! !!!

[@averyoliver3580]

Do you think using mineral oil and then coating it with clear nail polish would be a method that can work? Or just using clear nail polish alone? Thank you! And i love the video!

[@happygolucky5855]

Avery Oliver i know this was a year ago, but clear nail polish yellows over time, so after a while it will make you shells look dirty

[@lydiaselena__439]

We should trade seashells with people around the world ,because we're we are limited to travel. I am from Cape Breton island, Nova Scotia, Canada.

[@mandyt1918]

Would love that

[@BelleEFlopp-nk5xe]

Great idea! Did you ever end up doing this? I don’t live near the beach. Usually travel to beaches in North Carolina and South Carolina every 2 years or so. Luckily was able to make it to Holden Beach last year and Outer Banks this year. I bring home multiple bags of shells each time, despite my husband thinking I’m nuts 😆 Holden beach is a private beach so the amount of perfect 🐚 is insane, and occasionally whole sand dollars. Megalodon shark teeth (and others) can also be found at Holden easier than other beaches. Outer banks is too public so the pickings aren’t as great but I did come home with huge perfect clam shells (one about 5 inches in width). Anyways, with limited access, trading or even private purchasing from other simple collectors like me is enticing!

[@paulat7659]

So cool, TFS

[@Iareachild]

hello, lovely video. ive been spending my time recently collecting abandoned shells. and ive been learning how to clean and make them look nice. Do i clean with mineral oil then use the acrylic? or can i skip the mineral oil and go straight to acrylic?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Iareachild acrylic won’t stick to oil, so you would want to choose one or the other 🙂

[@Iareachild]

@@lauracatherineofficial Thank you so much! I was totally about to botch it lol.

[@bellbookcandle3051]

Thanks for asking this! I wondered too. 👍🐚💙

[@Treasurereport]

What do you use to clean the shell before the mineral oil? Thanks

[@lauracatherineofficial]

If the shells aren't dirty or stinky I just rinse with fresh water. If they are muddy/dirty/stinky you can soak in a diluted bleach solution for 24 hours and then rinse well.

[@sowrabhashetty1646]

Very good info dear. Could u pls tell me where can I get mineral oil? Thank u

[@lauracatherineofficial]

sowrabha shetty anywhere! Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, anywhere that has a drugstore/pharmacy department 🙂

[@Scott-rn8ms]

Is this cleaning them or just a polish

[@lauracatherineofficial]

This is to brighten them up and add some shine. Cleaning is 50/50 bleach and water for 24-48 hours. :-)

[@matthewc5019]

How long does it last? Or, would you have to reapply over time?

[@fgfg633]

You have to reapply. I notice they start to go a bit dull about 6-8 months later.

[@tiggmanthaaa]

Will the spray acrylic yellow the shells over time?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Clear acrylic and nail polish have been known to yellow over time in the past which is why I don’t use them, but now they have acrylics that are non-yellowing.

[@miou196]

Would coconut oil work too? Thank you

[@lauracatherineofficial]

miou196 yep!

[@fgfg633]

I like using mineral oil, but the shine isn't permanent--lasts about six months before having to reapply ☹️

[@loririel]

Pretty 🥰

[@shirleyandrews1152]

I need help. I painted some shell with polyurethane and it turned yellow. How can I get that off w/o destroying my shells? 😩

[@SaltyReflections]

Shirley Andrews, I know this has been a year ago, but if you still need to know. I bet you can use the muriatic acid that Laura has mentioned before but a safe way to get the polyurethane off would just be to use acetone - like finger nail polish remover. There are different strengths - so get 100% acetone one or they have containers in hardware dept that just say acetone depending if you need to clean polyurethane off of a lot of shells. But DO NOT SOAK in the acetone - just dampen an old wash cloth with the acetone, add more as needed & wipe/rub across the shells to remove poly - make sure to wear gloves & in a ventilated area - preferably wear a mask - fumes are very strong. Hope that helps.

[@janetphillips8196]

Does the oil not leave a film of sickness on the shell.

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Hi Janet! Some oils may leave a sticky residue, but mineral oil is not sticky.

[@dionysos4288]

I used cellulite oil is this okay? it shines and it looked like I didn’t damage it

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Probably not. It may not damage them but it will more than likely go rancid and smell pretty bad.

[@roxylee9560]

Can you use rubbing alcohol?

[@drdrew3]

Mineral oil penetrates and hydrates to increase shine and color. Alcohol dehydrated and has has the opposite and undesirable effect

[@anahigonzalez4748]

Would dit work if it’s a abalone shell

[@drdrew3]

Abalone shells are mechanically polished with abrasives rather than chemicals

[@donutit4745]

how longer is it last?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

I can’t give a definite time frame, but it lasts a long time.

[@H3M1_Official]

Link to mineral oil or any?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

You can find it at any drugstore or on Amazon

[@janetphillips8196]

Why do you have lipstick or makeup on the top of your hand hun? Thanks very informative ifo. Stay safe hun. Xo

[@angelahyde7133]

why have you got lipstick on your fingers,, sorry but I just have to ask,,lovely video

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Angela Hyde Great question!!! They are swatches if a product I sell called LipSense and it does not smear or smudge and lasts upto 18 hours! 😍 You can learn more on my other channel! @beautyandthebeachwithlaura

[@SearchIndex]

Beach Treasures By Laura cute name ‘beauty and the beach’

[@saswatighosal4195]

Hello. I got few shell. Whenever I put them as a showpiece it starts corroding. I have not treated it with anything before. Can u help me how to preserve it and use it. Early reply expected.

[@lauracatherineofficial]

I’m sorry, I don’t understand your question.

[@saswatighosal4195]

@@lauracatherineofficial I have collected the shell and kept it as a showpiece, but after sometime I saw it is becoming porous. I don't know whether it is the reaction of air with shells. How can I use them without getting destroyed

[@lauracatherineofficial]

I would have to see your shells - they may have already had holes in them. Shells are made of calcium carbonate they don’t react to air.

[@thelittleblackbook6544]

How long it will last?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

The Little Black Book All depends on the environment it’s left in (if it’s in a bowl inside the home vs on a wreath outside the door, etc) regardless, it’s very easy to reoil if needed.

[@thelittleblackbook6544]

@@lauracatherineofficial where u can get this oil? Cuz I live in different country and I never really heard tht b4.. I was just a bit confused where to find it

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Any drug store will have it!

[@jonhy8351]

Is it safe for hermit crabs?

[@inkspec2.022]

I know this is old but you should never do this to a living animal. It can be harmful or toxic

[@jonhy8351]

Bruh

[@inkspec2.022]

Yes

[@jonhy8351]

I wouldn't be so stupid to put a hermit crab in acid

[@inkspec2.022]

@@jonhy8351 you know this isn't acid right? It's mineral oil

[@mariumaqib4744]

I am 9 years old i love and my friend me one because i dont have shells

[@OceanLife772]

Did u get some seashells?

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

I would think lemon oil would work as well. Unfortunately where I live on the Texas coast, we don’t find the more unusual shells like this. Ours are more common clam shells and oyster shells but occasionally I have found the pretty conch shells. I do use muriatic acid but I only dip them one at a time and have water to dip them in afterwards. It only takes a few seconds per Shell.if you leave them in too long that’s when you can get damage to the shells. And I use it only outside. Kids should NEVER do this. And I would suggest using some sort of mask while doing so.

[@enathompsonreid9595]

I use the acid too

[@jennklein1917]

Lemon is acidic, use vinegar white, cheap stuff 😏

[@lydiaselena__439]

Hi, i am new at shell picking ,can you tell me how i can clean them?

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Lydia Selena__43 diluted bleach solution works well!

[@lydiaselena__439]

Beach Treasures By Laura thank you laura ,I'm just going to do that.

[@Shan__Qhee]

What kind of acid 0o0

[@Shan__Qhee]

@Laura Manson oh

[@susiebales-oswalt1564]

Can I ask why you have lipstick samples on your hand, that’s so distracting to me..

[@lauracatherineofficial]

It's not lipstick, it's actually lip color (lipstick would get all over and make a mess!) This is beach-friendly waterproof lip color. I'm a makeup artist (also Licensed Esthetician and Medical Tattoo Artist) and I sell A LOT of makeup! You can learn more here: KZbin.com/lauramanson

[@brendagroff8478]

There's a new acid that's not caustic. Acid Magic. Won't hurt your hands.

[@911falseflagdonebybushrums3]

aaa

[@Matthew1618.]

Most important I think is that muriatic acid is terrible for the environment!!!

[@jackjones9611]

Annoying accent

[@lauracatherineofficial]

Johnathan Stevens Jr. lol fake accent? What kind of accent do you think I have?

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

Johnathan Stevens Jr. good Lord, can’t you find anything else to complain about? That was uncalled for.

[@jaymewitcher7852]

I don't hear a accent! Don't watch or listen to it then, get a life.

[@joebro9432]

Beautiful voice! Dont pay attention to hate!

[@tgwoolshire]

Johnathan is an Annoying poor excuse for a human.