When cooking, baking, or crafting, oyster shells can come in handy to provoke your creative side. But before you bring them into use, take a look. EEEH! Not something you’d eat in, right?
More than running them underwater is required. They need to be sanitized, soaked, scrubbed, bleached and rinsed. Sometimes, the process must be repeated twice to eliminate all the dirt on the exterior and smell on the interior. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Empty the Oysters
It’s likely that the shells you have contain tiny bits of raw meat stuck on the inner walls. Before you begin the cleaning process, thoroughly sift through each one.
In case of a closed shell, use an oyster knife to break it open and empty all components before you begin cleaning.
Step 2: Rinse them
Hold them under running water, preferably on the sink, to remove all surface mud, loosely attached to the shell. If you’re concerned about the smell spreading around the kitchen, use a hose and clean them outdoors.
Step 3: Bleach them
The next step is to bleach them. For that, you need an empty bucket. Fill it up with equal ratios of bleach and water. This will dilute the bleach, and the strength of the shells will not be altered.
White vinegar can be used as an alternative to bleach if your skin reacts against bleach.
Soak all the shells in the bleach and water solution for about an hour. This will allow the bleach to sanitize the shells effectively. Moreover, it will also loosen the particles stuck between the textured areas of the shell. Drain out the liquid once you’re ready to begin scrubbing.
Step 4: Scrub
Use a mild solution of dish soap and water. It’s time to soak the shells in it again. Pick each shell, one at a time, and use a hard-bristled nylon toothbrush. Scrub in and out, over and under, to get all the dirt off them. Repeat this process for all shells in the bucket.
Step 5: Rinse again
Rinse them with clean water to get the soap all off from them.
Step 6: Towel Dry
Use a towel to pat the shells. You want to make sure they’re nice, clean, and dry. Put them under the sun.
Step 7: Time to add some Shine
Even though you can stop at step number 6, here’s a tip to make your shells regain their lost gloss and shine. Use a couple of drops of baby oil on a thin towel sheet. Use it to rub over them and see the magic with your eyes.
Give yourself a pat on the back once you’re done cleaning! You deserve it!
Oyster Shells for Gardening
Once you’ve cleaned them thoroughly, you can use them for anything. Most people decoupage them and bring out their crafty side. In comparison, some reuse them to bake oysters and enjoy a fancy dinner at home.
We like to boil them, dry them, and crush them to approximately gravel size to use on plants.
Is this something you’re hearing for the first time? But wait till you find out how beneficial an oyster shell amendment is for your plants.
- Calcium present in these shells helps neutralize the acidic pH of the soil. Calcium is an essential mineral for cell wall strength, providing the plant structure.
- Elements such as magnesium may not be found in soil naturally. They are a great magnesium source that helps uptake soil minerals. Magnesium also helps in the formation of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll.
- Crushed shells improve aeration in the soil by directly enhancing soil structure.
- Since it is a slow-release amendment, it is capable of providing long-term benefits to the soil.
- These shells also repel insects, safeguarding your plant.
Conclusion
Smart work is usually better than hard work, but there are no shortcuts to cleaning oyster shells: one or a hundred. To achieve the best results, you must carefully follow all the instructions without missing any steps. Remember, no cheating!!
The best way to clean them is by giving them enough time and individual attention and using a mild concentration of detergents, bleach, soaps, and oil. Prevent them from damage by overdoing any step.
Break and crush them as a soil amendment, and watch your soil get a second life.
Have more questions? Feel free to write to us anytime!