How to Prepare Seashells for Display

Place the seashells gently in a shallow basin on a moist towel and leave them overnight. Sometimes, shells picked up on the beach still contain hermit crabs, whether you can see them or not. Waiting for several hours before preparing the shells will prevent unnecessary crab mortality. Additionally, leaving crabs inside the shells to die will result in a lasting odor on the shells. If any of the shells begin to move, take them back to the beach immediately.

Scrape out the shell's inside, as this will remove any residual dirt and barnacles. A suitable tool for this task is a teapot brush, as its long, thin bristles can reach where toothbrushes cannot. Use diluted dishwashing liquid to help loosen the grime.

Mix a solution of equal parts bleach and water. Soak the shells in the liquid and wait for the external dirt to loosen. Periostracum, the outer skin which gives many shells their flaky appearance, will also come away with some gentle cleaning. The shell will then look paler, smoother and shinier.

Scrub away any residual dirt, grime and barnacles from the surface of the shell with a toothbrush. Use the teapot brush to give the inside a quick scrub. If the shell has any lingering odor, add some baking soda to the brush and continue to scrub. Rinse the shell when you are finished.

File the shell's edges down with sandpaper or a nail file if the lip appears jagged or rough.

Lay the shells out on a towel overnight to dry. Give the external surfaces a quick polish by rubbing some baby oil on the outside. This will add a lasting luster to your display-worthy seashells.