The day you receive your first piece of nice jewelry is a memorable time. You open up the box to see it sitting there, shiny and sparkly, and can’t help but stare in awe over how pristine it looks.
Unfortunately, after years of wear, that jewelry loses its luster. You wonder if you’ll ever be able to get it back to its former glory.
It’s your lucky day! It is possible to get your jewelry back to its previous beauty with regular cleaning.
Cleaning your jewelry doesn’t have to be a hassle. It is something that you can do in the comfort of your own home with minimal expense and effort.
These 9 easy steps below will guide you on how to clean jewelry using items most of us already have on hand.
1. Determine Whether It’s Safe to Clean Jewelry at Home
You’ll want to be aware of the materials your jewelry is made of before you begin an at-home cleaning process. Most precious metals are safe to clean at home, but platinum is more delicate and prone to scratches.
When your jewelry includes other components, it’s best to exercise some caution. Diamonds are safe to clean at home, but with gemstones, no two are alike.
With gemstones, skip at-home cleaning if it is anything but red, white, or blue. Any jewelry with gemstones, delicate metals, or antique pieces may need different cleaning methods. Reach out to a jeweler for the best cleaning options.
2. Gather Your Supplies
Once you’ve determined that your jewelry is safe for at-home cleaning, the next step is gathering the needed supplies.
Simple is often best for cleaning jewelry. For the most simple method we can recommend, you will need the following supplies:
- A soft, brand-new toothbrush
- Ammonia (optional)
- Dawn dish detergent
- Clean, lint-free cloth
- Warm water
Once you have all these simple supplies, you’re ready to begin your DIY cleaning!
3. Mix the Dish Soap and Water Solution
Soap and water is a go-to cleaning solution for a reason and is sure to work wonders on your jewelry!
Be sure that you are using plain blue dish detergent in your solution. Any other soap might have the opposite effect and create a filmy residue on your jewelry.
To mix the soap and water solution, you will want around two cups of water with a few drops of liquid soap. Stir it together and set aside until the next step.
Keep in mind that hot water can damage diamonds and some gemstones. It’s best to use lukewarm water instead of hot water in your solution.
4. Add Ammonia (Optional)
When opting to use ammonia for extra cleaning power in your solution, keep step one in mind. Ammonia is a useful addition to keep your jewelry clean, but it can do more harm than good when used incorrectly or on the wrong materials.
If you’re reading to learn how to clean silver jewelry or gold jewelry, it is safe to follow this step. Natural diamonds are safe, but avoid using ammonia if your jewelry has platinum, soft stones, or glued pieces.
Once you’ve verified this step is safe for your jewelry, grab your soap and water solution. Then, add a couple of drops of the ammonia and stir it together. Set aside your mixture.
5. Clean Jewelry With a Toothbrush
Next, take out your new soft toothbrush. This must be brand new with soft bristles. Old toothbrushes might have leftover residue inside and hard bristles can scratch your metals.
Take the toothbrush and gently brush your jewelry. Don’t use too much pressure and work it into all the nooks and crannies to loosen up any dirt.
Then, use your toothbrush to apply some of the solution to your jewelry. Use gentle pressure to keep from damage.
6. Rinse in Lukewarm Water
After applying the solution, rinse your jewelry in lukewarm water. Once again, be careful not to use hot water for a safe rinse.
7. Soak in Water if Needed
If your jewelry is dirtier than normal and needs some extra love, you can soak in water for a short amount of time. This loosens any excess dirt and thicker layers of residue.
Soak in the lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes.
8. Dry Off Your Jewelry
Take extra care to make sure that your jewelry is dry before wearing it again or putting away. To dry, use a lint-free cloth to give the jewelry a soft rub or pat until dry.
9. Avoid Tarnishing in Between Cleanings
To keep cleaning simple, it’s best to practice everyday care for your jewelry items. Avoid substances or activities that tarnish your jewelry to prevent cleaning extra build-up.
Using lotion, non-dish soap, and cleaning products while wearing your jewelry can make it dirty quicker.
You should also avoid gardening, working out, washing dishes, cooking, or getting ready with your jewelry on. These activities can get dirt or grease in small crannies and lead to residue build-up.
How to Clean Jewelry Other Ways
If this cleaning solution isn’t for you or your jewelry has trickier materials – you have other options!
- Buy a jewelry cleaner kit
- Take to a jeweler for professional cleaning
- Soak in baking soda, salt, and warm water
Each method has its benefits and it’s up to you to decide which is best for you.
Don’t Stress
Keeping your jewelry clean doesn’t have to be a stressful thing.
These instructions on how to clean jewelry safely at home will have your accessories looking as good as new.
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