How Can I Sanitize Rocks

[Stephan]

I've heard boiling can make them explode. So what is the best way. These are like 2 pretty large ones I'm using to make a hiding place

 

[Caprichoso]

I've heard of this happening but it's never happened to me. I've boiled loads of different types of rocks over the years and nothing bad has ever come of it. Maybe the person it happened to put the rock from boiling water into cold water. I could see that making it crack. I scrub the rocks with a bristles brush first then boil the rocks for about 15-20 mins and let them cool down naturally.

 

[This Old Spouse]

You don't have to actually boil the rocks. You can pour boiling water over them while they're in a bucket. Let them soak in that water for a bit and let the whole thing cool down naturally, say overnight.

 

[rainydayz]

I have heard of sanitizing them in the oven at a high temp! I have never done it so I am not sure how but its an idea.

 

[This Younger Spouse]

Rapid temp change affects some rocks more than others. For crumbly rocks such as quartzes, I think the risk is lowered if it's put in water close to room temp, then heated to a boil and left in the water to cool down naturally. Crumbly rocks fracture easily.