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Understanding the art of cleaning jewelry at home and properly maintaining your cherished pieces is essential for their longevity. Over time, the natural wear and tear may lead to a loss of luster, as dirt, debris, and everyday grime accumulate unnoticed. This buildup not only affects the appearance of your jewelry, making it look less vibrant, but it can also pose a risk of damage.
Regular cleaning is a simple yet effective way to ensure your rings, earrings, and necklaces remain in excellent condition, and it can be accomplished in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home. There is no need to rely on professional services or costly polishes; instead, you can rejuvenate your favorite pieces using homemade solutions that incorporate budget-friendly ingredients you likely have at your disposal.
We have collected these tips from Emily Williams, digital home editor at Better Homes & Gardens
How to Clean Jewelry by Type
It’s important to consider that various cleaning methods may be more suitable for specific types of jewelry. For instance, softer gemstones may not withstand the more intense cleaning techniques intended for gold and platinum. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the materials your jewelry is composed of. If there’s any doubt, it could be beneficial to consult a professional for an examination to ensure the best care for your pieces.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry
Metals are often recognized for their durability in comparison to gemstones, making them suitable for various cleaning methods. We recommend utilizing one of our homemade jewelry cleaners to gently soak and scrub your silver jewelry. It is typically safe to immerse silver pieces in the cleaner for a few minutes before delicately scrubbing with a soft brush or cloth. Real silver, however, has a tendency to tarnish over time, particularly without consistent care and maintenance. Therefore, you may find it beneficial to dedicate additional time to these items. If a standard cleaning doesn’t suffice, we encourage you to explore our silver cleaning tips for effective tarnish removal.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry can be effectively cleaned using options such as dish soap, ammonia glass cleaner, or simply hot water. Similar to silver, it may benefit from a gentle scrub when necessary. It is advisable to use a soft toothbrush or a small brush specifically designed for jewelry to ensure a thorough yet delicate cleaning process.
How to Clean Jewelry with Gemstones
When it comes to jewelry featuring stones, such as a diamond ring or a vintage gemstone necklace, it is advisable to handle these pieces with a heightened level of care. Each individual stone is set in its own unique manner, and over time, the settings may become less secure, potentially leading to the loss of valuable gems like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds. Before attempting to clean such jewelry at home, we kindly suggest visiting a professional jeweler for an evaluation. This will ensure that all settings are secure and that there are no loose stones.
For jewelry adorned with more durable gemstones—such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topaz, garnet, and quartz—there are effective at-home cleaning methods available. However, for softer gemstones—like pearls, opal, jade, aquamarine, and onyx—it is essential to exercise particular caution. It is recommended to avoid scrubbing these delicate stones and instead clean them gently using mild soap and lukewarm water.
What You’ll Require
Equipment / Tools
- Bowl
- Toothbrush
- Soft cloth
Materials
- Antibacterial cleaner
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Glass cleaner
How to Clean Jewelry with Hot Water
Pour Water Over Jewelry
Warm water serves as an effective and economical cleaning solution for hard metal jewelry. The steam and heat can help loosen dirt and debris, making it easier to remove. To utilize this method, consider placing your pieces in a heatproof container and gently pouring in boiling water until they are fully submerged.
Soak and Wipe Away Grime
Allow the jewelry to rest for a few minutes or until the water has cooled. After that, carefully remove it and gently wipe away any residue with a clean cloth. Depending on the level of dirtiness, some pieces may benefit from a light scrub following the soaking process.
Dry Jewelry
It’s advisable to allow the jewelry to air-dry before storing it, or you may gently wipe it with a clean cloth to ensure it is dry.
How to Clean Jewelry with Household Ingredients
A DIY jewelry cleaner can often be an effective and safe solution for maintaining your precious items. However, it is important to recognize that not all jewelry is the same, so we encourage you to research the specific type of metal or gemstone before you start the cleaning process. Below are a few of our preferred at-home cleaning solutions that you may find helpful.
How to Clean Jewelry with Antibacterial Cleaner
There’s no need to invest in an expensive jewelry cleaner to achieve that sparkling shine. Instead, you can use your regular antibacterial cleaner or a gentle sanitizing hand soap. Simply pour a few inches of the liquid into a glass bowl and immerse your jewelry in it, allowing it to sit for about five minutes. During this time, you’ll find that any buildup starts settling at the bottom of the bowl. After the five minutes have passed, take out your jewelry and evaluate whether it can be gently patted dry and stored, or if it requires a little additional scrubbing for that perfect finish.
How to Clean Jewelry with Baking Soda or Heartburn Tablets
If you’re looking for an alternative to manual scrubbing, consider utilizing a chemical reaction to assist with your cleaning. Both baking soda and effervescent heartburn tablets can create a helpful reaction when combined with water, resulting in bubbles and fizz that effectively tackle the buildup on your jewelry.
To clean your jewelry using this method, simply place the item in a small bowl, cover it with water, and add your chosen active ingredient. Allow the piece to soak for a few minutes, then carefully remove it from the bowl and wipe it down with a cleaning cloth. This technique is particularly effective for cleaning diamond rings, as well as silver and gold jewelry. However, it is advisable to avoid using this method on pearls or softer gemstones to prevent any potential damage.
How to Clean Jewelry with Dish Soap
A gentle dishwashing soap is generally considered safe for cleaning most metal jewelry pieces. Just as it effectively cuts through grease and grime on dishes, a few drops can help remove the buildup of dirt, dust, and natural oils from your skin. To use this method, you might begin by adding 1 teaspoon of dish soap to a cup of hot water and allowing your jewelry to soak for a few minutes, gently scrubbing if you find it necessary.
It’s important to note that this technique is most effective for mild stains, tarnish, or typical wear-and-tear, such as that found on sterling silver. However, it may not sufficiently address issues like rust, significant spots, or heavy buildup.
How to Clean Jewelry with Glass Cleaner
In situations where you need a quick cleaning solution, regular glass cleaner can be utilized to effectively refresh your jewelry pieces. Simply spray the cleaner onto the item and gently scrub or wipe it off. It’s important to rinse the piece with water afterward to ensure any residue is removed.
However, please note that this method is best suited for gold, platinum, silver, and diamonds. The chemicals found in most glass cleaners may not be compatible with other stones and metals, so discretion is advised.
How to Clean Jewelry with a Toothbrush
A clean toothbrush with soft bristles can be an effective tool for maintaining cleanliness. The small, gentle bristles are well-suited for accessing challenging areas and ensuring a thorough clean.
1. Scrub with a Soft Toothbrush
For managing light spots, you might find it effective to gently scrub with water. For a more challenging buildup, utilizing a toothbrush alongside one of the homemade jewelry cleaners mentioned earlier could be beneficial.
2. Rinse and Dry Jewelry
To ensure the best results, it is advisable to rinse with water and follow up by wiping the surface clean with a microfiber cloth. Air-drying may lead to the formation of water spots, so it is recommended to avoid this method. When the time comes to store your jewelry, please take care to organize and protect the pieces appropriately.
This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our disclosure.