Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
On top of organizing your accessories and keeping them neat, you should also clean them regularly. It’ll help your accessories last longer, stopping you from suffering from skin irritation or infections. More bacteria and sweat will accumulate on your jewelry if you use them often. It’s best to clean them once every three months. Visiting a jewelry store isn’t needed if you want them cleaned.
You can follow these steps at home, where you can find the needed materials in your bathroom or kitchen. Here’s your guide in cleaning your accessories at home:
Table of Contents
How to Clean Silver
Using a good silver polish is one of the quickest ways to clean tarnished silver pieces. It will also prevent them from re-tarnishing sooner than later. Most silver polishes contain ingredients that remove and break down tarnish while giving your accessories a new protective coating. It’ll prevent new tarnish from happening.
Many prefer using silver polish to liquid polish because the latter one is messier to use. That will not be helpful if you’re in a hurry, making silver wipes an excellent choice for you. You can also use specifically treated multi-layer cloths. You can use one side to clean while the other side shines, making it another excellent option.
DIY Cleaning Hacks
If you can’t afford to use a silver polish but have to clean your accessories as soon as possible, you can try following one of these simple tricks. But you have to remember that they will not prevent tarnish from happening, and experts don’t recommend using them too often. Don’t use excessive rubbing to reduce the risks of removing the finish in cleaning your silver pieces.
Using dish soap:
Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, soak a soft cloth into the solution before using them to clean your silver accessories. It’ll help break down the tarnish. Lastly, rinse with cool water and dry it with another soft cloth.
Using baking soda:
if your silver accessories need deeper cleaning, you can use the water and baking soda solution. Mix one part tap water and three parts baking soda. You should pre-soak your jewelry and apply the solution using a soft, lint-free cloth. Ensure to clean the tiny nooks and turn the fabric as it keeps picking up the tarnish. Rinse well with water and dry it with another soft, lint-free cloth.
Using toothpaste:
Using toothpaste is another DIY method you can use to get rid of tarnish from your silver accessories. Apply a small dab of toothpaste into the tarnished piece and rub it gently with a soft cloth or your finger. Then, use warm water for rinsing your pieces, and use another soft cloth to dry them.
How to Clean Gold
Use warm tap water and dish soap to clean your gold accessories like earrings, chains, and bracelets. First, you should put them into a strainer before dipping them in the solution, but you can use a bowl for the large pieces. Let them soak for about five to ten minutes. Afterward, take them out and lay them out on a soft cloth.
That’s the time you start cleaning the tiny nooks with a toothbrush to break down the trapped dirt. Use the filter again for the smaller pieces before rinsing them with running water. To dry them, use a soft, microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Gems
You can easily clean semi-precious and precious stones, including sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or diamonds set in gold. You can use the same methods for cleaning your gold accessories, but instead of using regular water, use seltzer water. Then, you mix it with dish soap. It’ll release carbonation to help remove debris and soil trapped on the surface and in the settings.
Use a toothbrush to brush the settings and stones of your diamond jewelry before dipping it in clean water. You can directly rinse a large piece or place small items in a strainer before rinsing them under running water. Use a soft cloth to dry them. It’s also best to pack a cleaning stick in your bag.
It’s an easy alternative where you have to twist the wand to release the cleaner and use its soft tips to remove grime and dirt.
Taking care of your accessories doesn’t just entail rinsing and cleaning them. It’ll also entail regularly inspecting them to check for damage or dirt in your pieces. One key to jewelry maintenance is to clean, wear, and store your accessories. Follow all these quick tips, and you won’t have to visit a jeweler for regular cleaning.
