>  muriatic acid

That's hydrochloric acid.

>Try LimeAway tile cleaner instead. It's not as strong an acid, can be
>used indoors. I use a toothbrush and rinse often, when I can't get
>deposits off otherwise. A quick dip and rinse will also take off light
>lime film.

Beware... if this stuff is caustic it will attack the conchiolin in
the shell, weakening it; it may also dissolve the colors.

Try it on junk shells first!

I have tried hydrogen peroxide (the 'bleach" used to bleach hair,
also present in hair colors), and it did both... severely. Sodium or
potassium hydroxide WILL eat shells.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<[log in to unmask]>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

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