The meaty part of the oyster is attached to the shell by its membrane. Cutting under the oyster with a sharp knife will cut through the membrane, allowing the oyster to slide out of the shell. You can discard the oyster in the trash or eat it raw immediately after opening the shell. You may want to wear protective gloves to protect your hands from the knife and the shell’s sharp edges.

Rinsing the oyster shells in the sink may leave a lingering smell. To avoid this, rinse them outside with a hose.

While you can use your sink or tub instead of a bucket, the oyster shells may leave a lingering odor. In addition, any residue that comes off the shells will go into your drain pipes and could be harmful to the plumbing. [2] X Research source

Diluting the bleach allows you to sanitize the oyster shells without damaging them. The amount of bleach and water you’ll need will vary depending on how many shells you’re cleaning. If you’re sensitive to bleach or prefer not to use it, you can use the same amount of white vinegar instead. [4] X Research source

Leaving them in the bleach for too long could cause the shells to start to degrade.  

If you’re handling the oysters, you may want to wear gloves to protect your hands from the bleach and sharp edges.

The water should get sudsy as you fill it up. If it doesn’t, swish it around a bit to mix up the soap. The dish soap will help loosen more of the stuck-on particles and make it easier for you to clean and polish the shells so they’re ready for crafting. You can also clean your shells with a little bit of vinegar.

If any of the stuck-on particles are particularly stubborn, you can use a craft knife or shucking knife to scrape them off. [10] X Research source You may want to wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from the oyster shell’s sharp particles and edges.

Instead of rinsing the shells under running water, you can also transfer them into a bucket with clean water and let them soak for a few hours. [12] X Research source

While you can also let the shells dry indoors, the sun will help brighten and whiten the shells.

You can also use mineral oil to give the shells a shiny coating.   Let the oil dry completely before you start crafting with your oyster shells.