12 Easy Ways to Clean Jewelry At Home
Pearls on a string, diamonds on a ring, silver, or perhaps golden earrings. Jewelry has been cherished for centuries, esteemed across diverse countries and cultures. Preserving your precious jewelry’s beauty for a lifetime is simple with these 12 straightforward methods for cleaning jewelry at home.
People’s love for ornaments is timeless, yet jewelry has a finite lifespan without proper care. Learning to clean your jewelry at home can significantly extend the life of your most treasured pieces. The radiance of jewelry diminishes with time and use. Natural skin oils, skincare products, makeup, and more can cause jewelry to lose its luster. While you can always have your jewelry professionally polished, why not explore some do-it-yourself techniques using everyday household items for effortless at-home jewelry cleaning?
1. Toothpaste
Toothpaste has mild abrasives which help remove stains and tarnish from silver jewelry. Dab some plain white toothpaste (not the gel or herbal ones) on your stained silver ornaments.
Smear on all sides, and gently rub with your fingers for a few minutes. Rinse the jewelry pieces in lukewarm water and pat them clean. Dry-wipe it with a soft cloth to make the pieces sparkle.
2. Ketchup
Enhance the luster of your tarnished silver jewelry effortlessly. Submerge your jewelry in a bowl of ketchup for a brief moment, but be cautious not to overdo it, as prolonged exposure may harm your valuable pieces. For jewelry with smooth surfaces, simply immerse them in the ketchup, and let it work its magic.
For intricate jewelry with small crevices, employ an old toothbrush to gently apply the ketchup, ensuring it reaches every nook and corner. Afterward, rinse your pieces with lukewarm water and delicately dry them using a soft cloth. Finally, buff your jewelry with the same soft cloth, and behold, it will appear as good as new.
3. Vinegar
Dip your gold jewelry fully into a solution of vinegar and water mixed in a 1:2 ratio. Place each piece of jewelry separately, avoiding any overlap. Leave your pieces to soak for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, rinse them thoroughly with cold water and gently dry them using a soft, clean cloth. Enjoy your rejuvenated gold trinkets, shining and sparkling like new.
4. Shampoo
Mix a few drops of baby shampoo in 1/4th cup of cold water and dip your pearl jewelry in the solution. But do not keep it for too long as it may damage your priceless pearls. Take a small brush or a make-up brush to stroke each pearl and the holding metal.
Use cold water to rinse and cool it with your hair dryer set on the cool mode of drying. Use a very soft cloth to wipe it very lightly. Gentle care will help keep your pearls bright and wondrous for a long time to come.
5. Dish Soap
Using just a few drops of liquid dish soap mixed with lukewarm water works wonders on revitalizing your old and lackluster jewelry. Submerge your jewelry in this solution and allow it to soak for a few minutes. If your jewelry is particularly dirty, you may want to extend the soaking time a bit. This cleaning method is particularly effective for both silver jewelry and costume jewelry pieces.
Next, take a soft toothbrush, preferably a baby toothbrush for its gentleness, and delicately brush your jewelry using its bristles. Afterward, rinse the jewelry thoroughly with cold water, gently moving your fingers in a circular motion over the pieces. Finally, wipe down your jewelry with a soft cloth to restore its shine.
Dish soap, an easily accessible item, proves to be gentle yet effective for cleaning jewelry. This method stands out as one of the simplest ways to restore your jewelry’s luster right at home.
6. Window Cleaner
Window cleaners are versatile for cleaning both regular jewelry and those adorned with precious gemstones. To get started, fill a spray dispenser with the cleaning solution, then evenly spray it onto your jewelry pieces. For gentle and effective cleaning, use an old, soft toothbrush to gently and slowly buff your trinkets. Afterward, simply wipe them dry with a soft cloth, and your jewelry will regain its original luster, appearing as if brand new.
However, exercise caution and avoid using window cleaner on jewelry pieces containing opal, turquoise, coral, or pearls. The ammonia found in these cleaning solutions may cause discoloration and damage to these precious gems.
7. Baking Soda
Add 1/4th cup baking soda in 2 tablespoons of water and make a thick paste. Apply this paste on your tarnished silver jewelry or dull gold jewelry and keep it aside for a while. You would need to pour a bit of vinegar on your gold jewelry for maximum effect. Gently rub your trinkets with a soft, damp sponge.
Rinse it with cold water and buff dry with a soft and clean cloth. This cleaning concoction should never be used on jewelry containing gems or pearls. It might damage the gemstones or loosen the glue, making it prone to misplacement.
8. Alka – Seltzer
To clean your jewelry, follow these simple steps using Alka-Seltzer tablets and water. Adjust the number of tablets based on the amount of jewelry you need to clean. Begin by dropping a few Alka-Seltzer tablets into a container of water. Submerge your jewelry pieces in the effervescent solution and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, take an ultra-soft toothbrush and gently brush your jewelry to remove any residue. Finally, use a soft napkin to pat your jewelry dry. Your jewelry will be sparkling and ready for your next event!
9. Club Soda
Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or emeralds: soak it in club soda for a fine sheen. Pour club soda in a bowl or glass and dip your precious gemstones. Soak it overnight for maximum effect. Rinse under cold water after a specified period and see it glisten and glow.
10. Ammonia
Mix ammonia with lukewarm water in 1:6 ratios. Place your gold or silver jewelry pieces for 10 minutes in this solution. Take it out and wipe dry gently with a soft and clean cloth. Never use this solution for jewelry pieces with pearls as it could scar its delicate surface.
11. Aluminum Foil
To prepare, line a bowl with aluminum foil and add a mixture of laundry detergent powder and hot water. Submerge your silver jewelry in this solution for a maximum of 1 minute, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Allow your pieces to air dry, and they will shine with a lustrous glow.
12. Denture Tablets
Denture tablets in a bowl of warm water: that’s all it takes for your hard stone jewelry to look shiny and new. Soak your diamond jewelry pieces for 15-20 mins and rinse clean with cold water. Air dry or use a paper napkin to pat dry to reveal shine and sparkle. Never use jewelry with pearls or Lapis as it would create permanent damage.
Cleaning jewelry at home is not as difficult as it may seem at first. A few minutes and a tiny bit of enthusiasm is all you need to get going. Keep it simple and use cleaners that are easy on your trinkets and your hands.
** Please test each method in a small inconspicuous area before applying to the entire jewelry piece.
