Ellen,

You do not want to add vinegar - it will eat the shell!!  Adding salt won't
hurt the shell, but it will also have no real effect on the lime in the
water.  We also have very hard water where I live in New Mexico, but I do
not worry about it harming shells.  The encrustations on faucets and
glassware are the result of the water evaporating and leaving the minerals
behind.  You can safely soak your shell for as long as it takes.  Just make
sure you wipe it dry afterwards.

Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Ellen Bulger
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 9:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] soaking shells in mineral-laden water????


Hi folks,

I've yet another cleaning question.

I've recently moved to Flagstaff and I'm living on the east side of town in
an area called Timberline, not on city water, but part of a water
cooperative. This water has so much mineral content that all the faucets and
showerheads are encrusted with white. Dishes and glasses and tupperware gets
spotted and encrusted too and it doesn't take repeated washings to do it.
We're in the desert, so you take what water you get and you're glad to have
it. Actually, it's pretty tasty.

I have this swell helmet that Carol collected in Eleuthera and it's just got
that last little bit of smelly meat in it. I need to soak it, but I don't
want white encrustations on that glorious shield (or face, or whatever you
call it).

Would adding a bit of vinegar to the soak water help? Or maybe salt? Any
ideas?

Thanks,

Ellen