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How to Preserve a Sea Sponge

There are over 9,000 species of sea sponge around the world, with only a few species soft enough for human use. While living in their natural habitat, sponges are covered in black colored skin. The tan or light brown remains that make up the sponge are its skeletal remains. These remains are good for painting, cleaning, bath products and other uses. But if you want your sponge to last, you have to take care of it.

Things You'll Need

Natural sea sponge
Gloves
Rubbing alcohol
Plastic container with lid

Instructions

- 1
  Put on your gloves. If don't, you risk cutting your hands on the sharp, glass-like material embedded deep inside the sponge.
- 2
  Fill a sink with water and completely immerse the sponge. Squeeze out the excess water. To fully clean the sponge, you need to rinse and squeeze it repeatedly because of its porous structure.
- 3
  Pour the rubbing alcohol into the container. Place the sponge inside and let sit for 48 hours. This step is necessary to combat the strong smell that a sponge gives off.
- 4
  Place the sponge out in the sun. Leave it in the sun until it's completely dry, then store the sponge in a dry location. If you plan to use the sponge, be sure that you clean it with water and dry it in the sun after every use.

Sea Shell Collecting