Learn how to clean sand dollars you find on beaches with these easy, proven steps from a marine biologist who worked at the Whitney Lab for Biosciences Florida, for Seven years. I use these affordable methods whenever I visit the best beaches for seashells in Florida to make my shells bright and white at home!
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for lovely seashells like money cowrie and dead sand dollars, try going to the beach early in the morning.
Step-by-step Guide for Cleaning Sand Dollars With Bleach
The smell of the freshly collected dead sand dollars from the beach is always unbearable. And I know that a bright-whitened sand dollar is always preferable. To get both these results, I always follow these steps at my home, whenever I return from beachcombing on the Florida Beaches. You can follow my steps to get the best results.
1. Soaking Sand Dollars in Water
Take a pan or dish and fill it with fresh Water. Place the dead sand dollar in the Water and let it soak for 2 days. Change the Water regularly; if needed, add a little soapy water to help. This will remove any harmful smell and spines.
2. Cleaning Sanddollar With Mild Bleach
Mix four parts water with 1 part bleach in a large tub or pot. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. (Be careful not to use too much bleach, as sand dollars shells are very fragile.) Place the sand dollars in the mixture of mild bleach for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Rinsing With Water
Take the sand dollars out of the bleach mixture, rinse them with fresh Water, and let them sit on a towel for 2 hours. Repeat the process if they’re not white enough or still look yellow.
4. Sand Dollars Sunlight Bleaching
Take the sand dollars out of the towel and place them in sunlight for 1-2 days in a safe spot. This helps get rid of the bleach smell and makes the color stay better.
Following these steps will give you a whitened sand dollar.
Video DIY For Sand Dollar Whitening And Preservation
How to Preserve Your Sand Dollars? Bonus Tips
Pro Tip: Bury your newly found shells in soil or place them near an ant nest. This will help the ants eat the tissue inside.
Caution: If the sand dollar alive don’t pick it from the water just for taking snaps. Because live sand dollars picking up is prohibited.
Once your sand dollars are whitened, you’ll want to preserve them to prevent cracking. Here’s what I do at home to harden the sand dollars for good preservation:
You need aluminum foil. Aluminum foil works best for me because the sand dollars don’t stick to it.
I mix Elmer’s Glue and Water (1:1) to make a thin solution. I mix the glue and water in a 1-to-1 ratio, half glue and half water. Stir it well, then gently apply it to the bottom of the sand dollars with a small brush. This helps prevent them from breaking and makes them more challenging.
I usually use only one layer because I prefer a matte finish, but you can do more if you like. Be careful not to fill in the sand dollar’s holes. Once one side is done, wash your brush to keep it from drying out, then flip the sand dollar to do the other side.
I then cover them with plastic wrap but don’t overcoat them, just a light layer.
To add shine, I use a small brush to apply a glossy Mod Podge over them. Then, I place them in a cylindrical glass vase. You can do the same!
If your shells have tar on them, you can use any of these softeners mixed with Water:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Lard
- Margarine
- Mineral oil
- Olive oil
- Peanut butter
- Petroleum jelly
- Suntan lotion
- Vegetable oil
Just choose one and mix it with Water.
Also Read:
- How to Clean Seashells Like a Pro [12 Bonus Tips ]
- Top 5 Seashell Identification Apps Recommended By A Marine Biologist
- Can Starfish Swim? 5 Must-Know Amazing Facts (Biologically Explained)
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
How to Clean Sand Dollars from the beach?
Soak sand dollars in Water for 2 days. Then soak them in a mix of Water and bleach for 30-40 minutes. Rinse, dry, and leave them in the sun for 1-2 days.
How to Clean Sand Dollars Without Bleach?
Soak sand dollars in fresh Water for 2 days, changing the Water. Gently scrub with a soft brush. Dry them on a towel and leave them in the sun to whiten.
Cleaning Sand Dollars with Vinegar?
Soak sand dollars in mild vinegar for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, gently scrub them with a soft brush. Rinse with Water, dry them on a towel, and leave them in the sun to whiten.
How to Clean Sand Dollars with Hydrogen Peroxide?
Soak sand dollars in hydrogen peroxide for 30-40 minutes. After soaking, rinse them with water and dry them on a towel. Then, place them in the sun to whiten.
How to Whiten Sand Dollars?
Soak sand dollars in Water for 2 days. Then, soak them in a mix of Water and bleach for 30-40 minutes. Rinse, dry, and leave them in the sun to make them white. You may follow my above-proven methods.
How Long to Bleach Sand Dollars?
Soak sand dollars in a bleach and water mixture for 30-40 minutes. Please don’t leave them too long, as they can get damaged.
Conclusion
How to clean sand dollars and make them whiter at home were questions marine enthusiasts asked me. I shared my best tips with you, which you can apply at home.
One thing I constantly repeat: please don’t kill or bring live marine life from beaches, especially life cycle of a sand dollar is very complex very little reaches to adult stage. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. Thank you.
