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How to Clean Geodes

A geode is a spherical stone with hollow spaces and crystal formations in its center. They are generally cut into two half-spheres to reveal the crystals inside. They may also be cut into slices or other shapes. Geodes are formed deep in animal burrows, beneath the roots of trees or in volcanic rock. The outer shell of a geode is plain and reveals nothing of the beautiful, intricate display of crystals on the inside, which were formed by thousands of years of minerals cooling and heating under pressure. Mud and other debris can cling to the outside of a geode and are easy to remove, but mud on the inside can stain the brilliant gem-like crystals geode hunters love to find.

Things You'll Need

Laundry or dish soap
Cloth
Bleach
Bucket
Denture cleaner
Soft toothbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Mix approximately 1 tbsp. laundry or dish soap with 1 gallon of warm water. Scrub the geodes gently with soapy water and a cloth to remove mud and debris. Rinse the geodes with clean water.
- 2
  Add 1/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water in a household bucket. Place the geodes in the bleach solution. Pour in additional bleach solution, if necessary, to completely submerge the geodes. Allow the stones to soak in the bucket for approximately 48 hours.
- 3
  Remove the geodes from the bucket. Apply a small amount of denture cleaner to a soft toothbrush. Scrub the geodes thoroughly with the toothbrush and cleanser. Clean all of the surfaces and inside crevasses. Gently remove any mud that remains inside the geode. If brown stains remain inside the geode after gently cleaning, do not vigorously scrub the stains, as you may damage the crystals. Rinse the geodes in clean, warm water to remove the cleaning product and the remaining grit you have loosened. Place the stones on a towel to dry.

Rocks & Minerals