How to Clean Seashells the Right Way

Sharing is caring!
Living so close to the beach, there is one thing our home never lacks for, and that is seashells! It
seems like every time we go to the beach, we end up bringing a pocketful of shells back
home. Apparently all that time collecting seashells has paid off though, because not only do I
have an abundance of shells to decorate my home with, but I also know how to clean
seashells the right way (aka get rid of the gunk and smell)!
 Since we
live on the coast, we are lucky enough to have our pick of beaches to explore. One beach in
particular is an absolute treasure trove of seashells. I’m talking big, huge seashells in amazing
condition just ripe for the picking. Who can resist such a find? Not me! Seashells are perfect for
crafting and displaying in home decor, and best of all they’re one of nature’s many free craft
materials, so I am all about it!

The very first time my husband and I explored this particular beach, we were going for a run.
We didn’t have pockets to put shells in since we were wearing workout clothes (I know, tragic).
But of course I wasn’t about to let that stop me from taking part in the smorgasbord of shells at
my disposal. Needless to say, I started falling behind, and when my husband finally turned
around to see what was going on, there I was, trying to catch up while carrying huge fistfuls of

shells. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

The one drawback to picking up seashells fresh from the beach is that they’re a little dirty, and
they can have an odor to them. I suppose it only makes sense… there were once creatures living
in them! I used to rinse my shells with water after bringing them home to clean them, but I
noticed after a few days the shells would start smelling again. So after a little experimenting, I
learned how to clean seashells to get rid of the smell and ensure they last for years to come!

Materials Needed to Clean Seashells

 This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure.

 Seashells
 Bucket/bowl of water
 Old toothbrush
 Bleach
 Clear acrylic spray or mineral oil (optional)

How to Clean Seashells

1. Mix bleach into your water. You really only need a small amount, about 1 TBSP of bleach per
gallon of water. I recommend starting light on the bleach, as you can always add a little more
later if your seashells are still smelly or dirty. Remember when you’re using bleach to keep it in
a well-ventilated area and if you’re clumsy like me, wear gloves and clothes you don’t mind
getting a bleach spot or two.
2. Let the seashells soak in the bleach/water mixture for a few hours.

3. Rinse the seashells off and use an old toothbrush to clean out the crevices and any gunk left
behind on the seashells.
4. Once the seashells are dry, you can spray them with a clear acrylic spray or rub some mineral
oil on them to bring out the colors and add a little shine. This step is optional, but it’s a nice
finishing touch if you’ll be putting the shells on display.

And there you have it, squeaky clean seashells that will last for years to come! Seashells are such
a beautiful and versatile craft medium. They look great displayed all on their own, or you can
also get creative and use them for crafts. My favorite summer decor is to display seashells in my
apothecary jars.
So, now that you know how to clean seashells the right way, how will you display them in your
home? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my
newsletter. Sign up below for weekly craft, DIY, and home projects and tips!

How to Clean Seashells the Right Way

Sharing is caring!
Living so close to the beach, there is one thing our home never lacks for, and that is seashells! It
seems like every time we go to the beach, we end up bringing a pocketful of shells back
home. Apparently all that time collecting seashells has paid off though, because not only do I
have an abundance of shells to decorate my home with, but I also know how to clean
seashells the right way (aka get rid of the gunk and smell)!
 Since we
live on the coast, we are lucky enough to have our pick of beaches to explore. One beach in
particular is an absolute treasure trove of seashells. I’m talking big, huge seashells in amazing
condition just ripe for the picking. Who can resist such a find? Not me! Seashells are perfect for
crafting and displaying in home decor, and best of all they’re one of nature’s many free craft
materials, so I am all about it!

The very first time my husband and I explored this particular beach, we were going for a run.
We didn’t have pockets to put shells in since we were wearing workout clothes (I know, tragic).
But of course I wasn’t about to let that stop me from taking part in the smorgasbord of shells at
my disposal. Needless to say, I started falling behind, and when my husband finally turned
around to see what was going on, there I was, trying to catch up while carrying huge fistfuls of

shells. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

The one drawback to picking up seashells fresh from the beach is that they’re a little dirty, and
they can have an odor to them. I suppose it only makes sense… there were once creatures living
in them! I used to rinse my shells with water after bringing them home to clean them, but I
noticed after a few days the shells would start smelling again. So after a little experimenting, I
learned how to clean seashells to get rid of the smell and ensure they last for years to come!

Materials Needed to Clean Seashells

 This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure.

 Seashells
 Bucket/bowl of water
 Old toothbrush
 Bleach
 Clear acrylic spray or mineral oil (optional)

How to Clean Seashells

1. Mix bleach into your water. You really only need a small amount, about 1 TBSP of bleach per
gallon of water. I recommend starting light on the bleach, as you can always add a little more
later if your seashells are still smelly or dirty. Remember when you’re using bleach to keep it in
a well-ventilated area and if you’re clumsy like me, wear gloves and clothes you don’t mind
getting a bleach spot or two.
2. Let the seashells soak in the bleach/water mixture for a few hours.

3. Rinse the seashells off and use an old toothbrush to clean out the crevices and any gunk left
behind on the seashells.
4. Once the seashells are dry, you can spray them with a clear acrylic spray or rub some mineral
oil on them to bring out the colors and add a little shine. This step is optional, but it’s a nice
finishing touch if you’ll be putting the shells on display.

And there you have it, squeaky clean seashells that will last for years to come! Seashells are such
a beautiful and versatile craft medium. They look great displayed all on their own, or you can
also get creative and use them for crafts. My favorite summer decor is to display seashells in my
apothecary jars.
So, now that you know how to clean seashells the right way, how will you display them in your
home? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my
newsletter. Sign up below for weekly craft, DIY, and home projects and tips!

DIY Vase Filler Spray Painted Beans

March 19, 2018

Jen Causey

Beans and spray paint, yep, that’s right. You know how a coat of spray paint can really bring
something old to life… well it’s making these regular old beans really shine! Use metallic spray
paint or your favorite color to make super cheap vase filler for your wedding or special event
centerpieces. Add a candle, single flower, or succulent to make decor that won’t break the bank.
These are also great gifts to offer your guests to take with them at the end of the night. Also, ps.
SO many options for holiday decor too! So what color is your favorite, which will you try first?
Pretty Beans

These pictures came out nice but when you see these beans in person it’s weird to think that they
are just beans, they look that good. Many times I go ahead and throw away decor items that I
make because I can’t save everything, but I’m keeping these beans for sure!
SUPPLIES:

 Beans; coffee, pinto, kidney, navy… etc.

 Glass Vases
 Spray Paint (I used Copper, Silver and Champagne Pink)
 Large Cardboard Box
 Tape

Tape The Box

You’ll be spray painting the beans inside the box, so I found it easiest to tape the inner flaps
down first. Otherwise the beans will get stuck underneath them.
Spray, Shake, Spray

Pour your beans into the cardboard box, making an evenly distributed layer. You don’t want
them to be too thick, it’s best to have a single layer of beans. Then spray paint. Let them dry for
5 or so minutes, shake the box to reveal unpainted sides and paint again. Repeat this process 4-6
times until all sides of all beans are covered in paint.
Add Beans Around Candlesticks
Add Beans Around Potted Succulents
Add Beans Around Candles

Candle tip: save money by buying a shorter candle and propping it up on a can of food!
Smell That Coffee

The benefit to using coffee beans, although they will be more expensive, is that they still smell
fabulous even through the spray paint! I was curious if the paint smell would overwhelm the
coffee smell and it didn’t one bit. So if you love smelling coffee, use coffee beans!
As with all our DIY tutorials, if you create one of our projects please send us a picture – We
Love Seeing Your Creativity! If you use Instagram or Twitter please use the hashtag
#SomethingTurquoiseDIY and it will show up on our Get Social page. Happy Crafting!

DIY Tutorial Credits

Photography + DIY Tutorial: Jen Causey of Something Turquoise // Coffee Beans: Amazon //
Pinto Beans: Target // Vases: Amazon // Spray Paints: Amazon // Nail Polish: OPI – Withstands
the Test of Thyme

Shop The Supplies:

Find the supplies you’ll need for this project from our affiliate links below:
Copper Spray Paint
Champagne Pink
Copper Spray Paint
Pinto Beans
Glass Vases
Coffee Beans