How to Clean Geodes
A geode is a rock that contains crystals in a hollow cavity. When geodes are split open, you can see the crystals inside the rock. If you found a geode, you'll need to clean it so it shines. Cleaning a geode is easy can can be done with a few household materials like laundry detergent. When you're done cleaning, sand your geode to give it a nice shine.
1. **Wash the geode with laundry detergent and water.** You don't use harsh chemicals to clean a geode. Stick to a simple mixture of water and laundry detergent. Mix a splash of laundry detergent with warm water and gently swab the geode with a toothbrush. As the geode will need to soak to get completely clean, you will not be able to get off all the dirt and debris in the first round of cleaning. Simply strive to do your best.
2. **Soak the geode in bleach for a day.** Mix a tub of water with a quarter cup of any household bleach. You can buy bleach at a department or hardware store. Submerge the geode in the bleach and let it soak for 24 hours.
Make sure to wear gloves when handling bleach.
3. **Clean the geode with a toothbrush and denture cleaner.** After the geode has soaked, you can wash off the remaining dirt and debris. You can buy denture cleaner at most department stores. Use denture cleaner and a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub off any remaining dirt stuck to the geode.
Dirt that did not come off during the first round of cleaning will come off more easily after the geode has been soaked.
4. **Get into any crevices.** Geodes have a lot of cracks and crevices. When cleaning the geode, make sure to get into these cracks to remove any dirt. Strive to be very thorough and inspect any crevices closely for lingering debris.
5. **Rinse your geodes.** If iron residue is stuck on your geode, you will need to soak it in wood bleach to clean it. To start, give your geode a light rinsing under the faucet to remove any dirt or debris.
6. **Put on protective gloves and googles.** Wood bleach can be very harmful to the hands and eyes. Safety precautions are important if your'e working with wood bleach, so throw on a pair of gloves and goggles before handling the bleach.
7. **Mix a cleaning solution.** Typically, to soak a geode, you should mix an eighth cup of wood bleach in five liters of water. However, make sure to read the label on the bleach you purchased. Some bleaches may need to be diluted more than others.
8. **Soak the geode in wood bleach for a few hours.** Submerge your geode completely in the wood bleach mixture. Allow it to soak for around two to three hour before checking on it. If the iron is gone, you can remove the geode at this point.
9. **Keep soaking the geode until it's clean.** If there is still iron on the geode, check it again in about half an hour. Be vigilant about checking the geode frequently until the iron is removed. Letting the geode linger in wood bleach for too long can harm the geode.
10. **Wash the geode with warm water.** After the iron is removed, take the geode out of the bleach solution. Wash off the bleach by running the geode under warm water.
Make sure to wear gloves when removing the geode from the bleach.
11. **Sand your geodes.** Use coarse sandpaper moistened slightly with water. Rub this over the geode to sand out any rough patches. Keep sanding the geode until it's as smooth as you want.
Be gentle at first and increase pressure as you sand. Some geodes are softer than others, and you want to avoid damage as much as possible.
12. **Put on protective goggles.** Small bits of stone may fly off your geode while you polish it. Before you start polishing, put on a pair of protective goggles to keep yourself safe.
13. **Polish your rocks.** Use a heavier fabric like denim to add a commercial finishing polish to your geode. Rub down the geode gently until it's as shiny as you want.
You can buy commercial finishing polish for gems online or at some hardware stores.
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