Over the years, we have all forgotten to remove wedding bands before tackling the dishes or rushing into shower, right! Or perhaps you jumped into the pool with your favorite pair of earrings on only to worry later about potential damage to these prized possessions.
Similarly, your beloved gemstone bracelet your grandma passed on to you might also have lost its sparkle after years of wear, leaving you wondering how to restore its original luster. If this is the case, fret not as we're here to help.
Tarnishing and oxidation can greatly affect a piece's value, making it a bit challenging to preserve your jewelry's brilliance.
So, grab on your handy cleaning cloth and grab some cleaning items from your pantry because it is time to rejuvenate your favorite pieces and bring back their dazzling shine!
How to Clean Gold Jewelry?
Among all, gold is the easiest one to clean at home. So, try using dish soap, an ammonia-based glass cleaner, or simply hot water.
For stubborn grime, gently scrub the piece with a soft toothbrush or a brush specifically made for jewelry, ensuring you don't scratch the surface.
How to Clean Silver Jewlery at Home?
For silver, it will be good to go with a simple DIY cleaning solution mixing baking soda, salt, and water.
Line a pan with aluminum foil, placing your jewelry on the foil and sprinkling a tablespoon each of baking soda and salt per cup of water.
Pour the water over the pieces to watch the debris lift away like magic! After cleaning, dry your jewelry with a clean, soft cloth.
If you don't have a polishing cloth, a microfiber cloth will work great. Professional jewelers recommend using this lint-free alternative to abrasive paper towels.
Spring cleaning is right around the corner, so get your soft cloths and mild cleaners ready-it's the perfect time to revive some of your favorite pieces and bring the dazzle back!
How to Clean Sterling Silver at Home?
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 sheet aluminum foil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon dish detergent
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 1 mins
Yield: 1 cup of cleaner
To begin cleaning your sterling jewelry, heat some water in your microwave. After a couple of minutes, use aluminium foil to line the bottom of a handy bowl.
Then, add dish soap, baking soda and salt, but do not stir and mix the ingredients just yet.
Place your jewelry on the foil and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Lastly, rinse them thoroughly in cool water and pat them dry with a soft cloth.
This recipe also works well on brass too.
How to Clean Diamonds at Home?
Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, ranking a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale. This makes them a popular choice for engagement rings, which are meant to endure daily wear. However, despite their durability, regular cleaning is still essential.
A common myth about diamonds, especially in engagement rings, is that they require frequent, vigorous cleaning. While they symbolize enduring love and benefit from a good polish, overcleaning can actually dull their shine.
Cleaning your diamond ring once a week strikes the right balance. Overdoing it can wear down the sparkle rather than enhancing it.
It’s important to note that cleaning methods suitable for solid gold or silver jewelry aren’t always safe for diamonds. Harsh substances like baking soda and vinegar can damage these precious stones and should be avoided.
How to Clean Pandora Jewelry?
Pandora charms are the best and the most valued ornaments one dreams to own. And when you do, sometimes handling it might give you a little headache. Thus, if you are someone wondering how to clean pandora jewelry at home, here's how-
Add warm water and a mild dish detergent to a bowl lined with aluminum foil and let it soak for 10 minutes. But first make sure that your water is just warm not boiling hot.
Remove them and gently scrub with an old toothbrush. Wash off the mixture and gently pat dry with a paper towel or a cotton cloth.
How to Clean Costume Jewelry at Home?
When it comes to cleaning your favorite costume jewelry, you have to have a different approach. These ornaments are delicate so, try being a little gentle with these ones.
To do so, first we need to mix a small amount of dish soap with lukewarm water. Then, dip a soft cloth or cotton swab in the mixture and wipe the jewelry.
Avoid soaking it, as water can loosen any glued components. Dry thoroughly to prevent it from tarnishing.
How to Clean Jewelry with Glass Cleaner?
For a quick fix, regular glass cleaner can help refresh your jewelry. Simply spray it on the piece, then either scrub gently or wipe it off. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterward.
This method is safe for gold, platinum, silver, and diamonds, but avoid using glass cleaner on other stones or metals, as the chemicals can cause damage.
For a quick fix, regular glass cleaner can help refresh your jewelry. Simply spray it on the piece, then either scrub gently or wipe it off. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterward.
This method is safe for gold, platinum, silver, and diamonds, but avoid using glass cleaner on other stones or metals, as the chemicals can cause damage.
Budget Cleaning Hack
Use Hot Water to Clean Your Jewelry
Hot water is a simple and effective cleaning solution for metal jewelry. The steam and heat help loosen dirt, making it easier to clean.
Place your jewelry in a heatproof container and slowly pour boiling water over it until the pieces are fully covered.
Allow the jewelry to sit for a few minutes or until the water cools. Then, remove the pieces and wipe away any grime with a clean cloth. If necessary, give them a light scrub after soaking to remove any remaining dirt.
Let the jewelry air dry or gently pat it dry with a clean cloth before storing it.
Caution: Avoid using this method for plated jewelry or pieces with gemstones like rubies or sapphires.
White Vinegar
This is another option for cleaning, as soaking your jewelry in it can help remove buildup. However, this should not be used on plated jewelry or gems with a low Mohs hardness.
Baking Soda
If scrubbing isn't your thing, let a chemical reaction handle the job. Baking soda or effervescent heartburn tablets create a fizzing reaction when mixed with water, effectively breaking down buildup on your jewelry.
It is a gentler alternative to vinegar and works well for cleaning silver and gold.
To try this method, place your jewelry in a small bowl, add water, and sprinkle in the baking soda or drop in a tablet. Let it soak for a few minutes, then gently wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
This technique works well for diamond rings, silver, and gold pieces, but avoid using it on pearls or delicate gemstones.
Safest Way to Clean Any Jewelry with Gemstones
Whether it’s a diamond ring or a vintage gemstone necklace, jewelry with stones requires extra care. Each stone has its own setting, and over time, these can loosen, putting your diamonds, rubies, or emeralds at risk of falling out.
Before cleaning any stone-set jewelry at home, we recommend a check-up to ensure all settings are secure and there are no loose stones.
Jewelry with hard gems (like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topaz, garnet, and quartz) can be cleaned with the methods mentioned earlier.
However, soft gemstones (such as pearls, opal, jade, aquamarine, and onyx) need special attention. Avoid scrubbing them, and clean only with mild soap and lukewarm water for the safest care.
Direction
Warm water and dish soap is the most convenient, easy, and safe way to clean diamonds, moissanite, or any gemstone. It will take away the dirt and stains from the surface of your stone.
Although dish soap is a great way to go, a mild shampoo or body wash can suffice in a pinch. Mix one or two drops of dish soap and two to three cups of water in a bowl.
Allow for 20 to 40 minutes of soaking time, and then gently scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove any buildup. Rinse thoroughly, then dry with a microfiber cloth for a final polish.
Key Considerations
If you haven’t already, invest in a dedicated tray or box for your rings. Keep other jewelry pieces organized with their own storage space, whether for hanging or laying flat. For silver and gold, felt-lined storage is ideal.
Create a jewelry storage setup that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It’ll not only keep your pieces safe but also remind you to remove them before activities like swimming, cleaning, or anything that might damage them, such as painting, gardening, or cooking.
While traditional hand soap is generally safe to use with rings and bracelets, always rinse thoroughly. Avoid applying hand lotion to your jewelry, as it leaves an oily residue that can damage gems and even costume pieces.
Can We Use Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Jewelry?
Yes, you can dip your trinkets in a shallow bowl of alcohol. But this is strictly for solid gold or platinum only, particularly the ones with sapphires, diamonds, or rubies.
Can You Clean Jewelry with Vinegar?
Vinegar's acidity may damage the finish of your jewelry and also affects some gemstones. Therefore, it is best to avoid vinegar when cleaning jewelry, particularly for silver, gold, and softer stones.
Can You Clean Jewelry with Antibacterial Cleaner?
Yes, you can clean your ornaments with an antibacterial cleaner, which means you don't need a special jewelry cleaner to make your pieces shine.
Take your normal antibacterial cleaner or hand soap, fill a glass bowl with a few inches of it, and drop in your jewelry. Let it soak for about five minutes. By this time, grime should have settled to the bottom of the bowl.
Next, it's time to see if it's ready to be gently patted dry or if it needs just a bit more scrubbing.
What do Professionals Use to Clean Jewelry?
Jewelry cleaners use cloths, cleaners, and cleaning tools specifically for cleaning jewelry. Many use ultrasonic cleaners, which employ high-frequency sound waves that gently remove dirt and grime.