Before adding oyster shells, they must be cleaned. Un-cleaned shells added to a compost heap can cause bad smells, insect infestations and excess salt that can kill plants. Once the shells are cleaned, all of these problems disappear and your compost turns into rich, beautiful soil.
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Place oysters in a sink filled with hot, soapy water. Let the oysters soak until the water is cool.
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Scrub the oysters with a hard brush, removing all dirt, meat and residue inside and outside the oyster. Drain the water, and rinse the shells thoroughly.
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Put on protective eye wear and rubber gloves. Plug the sink with the oysters in it, and turn on the hot water. Add 1 cap of bleach to the water. Fill the sink, and let the oysters soak until the water is cold.
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Drain the water, and rinse the oysters thoroughly. Plug the sink, and fill it with hot water. Let the shells soak until the water has cooled. Add liquid dish detergent to the water and scrub with the hard brush again. Make sure that all of the meat particles are off the oysters.
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Let the water out of the sink, and rinse the shells. Plug the sink, and fill it with hot water. Let the shells soak until the water cools. Put the shells on a thick towel, and let them dry.