How do you turn blackened sand into yellow, golden sand?

Question

I have some sand from Myrtle Beach that I got a while ago, and now that I look at it it's really blackened (that's from oil, right?). I'd really like to know if it's possible to make it nice and clean and sunny for a cute art project...!? Thanks!

Answer 1

wash it in bleach ,but surely it would be far simpler to get some new clean sand ,

and still wash it in bleach to get it whiter.

Answer 2

If you put it in the washing machine in the delicate cycle. It will come out sparkling. Then put it in the dryer and turn on high heat for 3.25 minutes. It will be nice and dry.

Answer 3

If the sand was kept in a sealed container, then the blackening is likely the result of iron sulfide formation (which is black).  To correct this, you can first try to place the sand in a bleach solution containing one cap-full in one quart of water with your sand.  The oxidizing power of hypochlorite can sometimes break down iron sulfide.  If this doesn't work after 24 hours, then rinse the sand thoroughly and submerge it in hydrogen peroxide.  Peroxide reacts with iron.